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Calvinism

Topic

Karp identifies Calvinism, which celebrates success, as the underlying cultural and philosophical backdrop of America, contrasting it with European cultures that are more suspicious of success.


First Mentioned

9/10/2025, 1:46:03 AM

Last Updated

9/10/2025, 1:48:23 AM

Research Retrieved

9/10/2025, 1:48:23 AM

Summary

Calvinism, also known as the Reformed Tradition, is a significant branch of Protestantism that stems from the theological teachings of John Calvin and other Reformation-era figures. This tradition places a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God and the authority of the Bible, breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century. While the term "Calvinism" can be somewhat misleading due to the diverse influences within the movement, it draws heavily from the writings of Augustine of Hippo. Key figures in its development include John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli, with the movement being first labeled "Calvinism" by its Lutheran opponents. Prominent Reformed theologians throughout history include Martin Bucer, Theodore Beza, John Knox, and in the 20th century, Abraham Kuyper and Karl Barth. Today, influential contemporary Reformed theologians include Tim Keller and John Piper. The Reformed tradition is represented by various denominations such as Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist churches, with the World Communion of Reformed Churches being the largest association, boasting over 100 million members globally. In contrast to what is perceived as Western societal decline, Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, has referenced Calvinism as an ideal rooted in celebrating success, suggesting it stands in opposition to rising anti-meritocratic sentiments and progressive policies he criticizes.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Origin

    Theological teachings of John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians

  • Key Emphases

    Sovereignty of God, authority of the Bible

  • Also known as

    Reformed Tradition, Reformed Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, Reformed

  • Core Doctrines

    Five Points of Calvinism (TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints)

  • Alex Karp's View

    An American ideal rooted in celebrating success, opposing anti-meritocratic sentiments and progressive policies

  • Largest Association

    World Communion of Reformed Churches

  • Influential Precursor

    Augustine of Hippo

  • Associated Denominations

    Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Evangelical Anglican, Reformed Baptist, parts of Anglican/Episcopal, Baptist, Waldensian, Calvinistic Methodists

  • Other Reformed Federations

    World Reformed Fellowship, International Conference of Reformed Churches

  • Members in Largest Association

    Over 100 million

  • Denominations in Largest Association

    211

Timeline
  • Calvinists broke from the Roman Catholic Church. (Source: Summary, DBPedia, Web Search)

    16th century

  • John Calvin embraced Protestant beliefs. (Source: DBPedia)

    1520s-1530s

  • The movement was first labeled 'Calvinism' by Lutherans who opposed it. (Source: Summary, DBPedia, Web Search)

    1550s

  • Jeanne d'Albret, queen regnant, converted to Calvinism and declared it the official religion of the Kingdom of Navarre. (Source: Web Search)

    1560-XX-XX

  • William the Silent joined the Calvinist Church. (Source: Web Search)

    1573-XX-XX

  • The Reformed synod held in Dordrecht formulated the Five Points of Calvinism (TULIP). (Source: Web Search)

    1618-1619

  • During the First English Civil War, English and Scots Presbyterians produced the Westminster Confession, which became a confessional standard. (Source: Web Search)

    1642-1651

Web Search Results
  • Reformed Christianity - Wikipedia

    Reformed Christianity, also called Calvinism, is a major branch of Protestantism that began during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. In the modern day, it is largely represented by the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregational traditions, as well as parts of the Anglican (known as "Episcopal" in some regions), Baptist and Waldensian traditions, in addition to a minority of persons belonging to the Methodist faith (who are known as Calvinistic Methodists). [...] The term Reformed Christianity is derived from the denomination's self designation of "Reformed Church", beginning in Switzerland and Germany, shortly thereafter followed by the Dutch Republic. Calvinism is the name derived from its most famous leader, John Calvin (born Jehan Cauvin), influential Reformation-era theologian from Geneva, Switzerland. The term was first used by opposing Lutherans in the 1550s. Calvin did not approve of the use of this term, and religious scholars have argued its [...] In 1573, William the Silent joined the Calvinist Church. Calvinism was declared the official religion of the Kingdom of Navarre by the queen regnant Jeanne d'Albret after her conversion in 1560. Leading divines, either Calvinist or those sympathetic to Calvinism, settled in England, including Bucer, Martyr, and John Łaski, as did John Knox in Scotland. During the First English Civil War, English and Scots Presbyterians produced the Westminster Confession, which became the confessional standard

  • What is Calvinism? - Understanding the History and Doctrine

    ### What is Calvinism: Table of Contents Summary Origin John Calvin Core Belief Five Points Traditions Denomination Differences ## What Is Calvinism? Calvinism is a denomination of Protestantism that adheres to the theological traditions and teachings of John Calvin and other preachers of the Reformation era. Calvinists broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century, having different beliefs of predestination and election of salvation, among others. [...] Calvinism is a branch of Protestantism, but it differs from other Protestant groups in its specific theological emphases. While all Protestants share core beliefs like salvation bygrace through faith and the authority of Scripture (Sola Scriptura), Calvinists uniquely emphasize God's sovereignty and predestination, particularly through the "Five Points of Calvinism" (TULIP). Calvinists believe that God has preordained who will be saved (the elect), while many other Protestant denominations, [...] Christianity / Church / Denominations / What Is Calvinism? - Understanding the History and Denominational Beliefs # What Is Calvinism? - Understanding the History and Denominational Beliefs Calvinism is a protestant denomination and set of beliefs that came from reformed doctrine by John Calvin. Let's take a look at how it started and what it's beliefs are. Collin Hansen | Updated Dec 16, 2024 SHARE

  • What Is Calvinism? - Ways to Learn at Ligonier.org

    Calvinism is a term that John Calvin did not like and one that often makes a wrong impression. It emerged as a term of insult from Lutherans trying to separate themselves emphatically from the Reformed doctrine of the Lord’s Supper. Although Calvin distanced himself from the term—just as Martin Luther protested the term Lutheran—it has nevertheless endured. [...] The phrase five-point Calvinism refers to the five doctrines formulated by the Reformed synod held in the Dutch city of Dordrecht (1618–19): total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. These doctrines are encapsulated in the acronym TULIP. The L in the acronym can be misleading, however. Christ’s work of atonement was not limited at all in its power—it fully redeems all to whom it applies. Yet the number of people profiting [...] with a focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, Calvinism distinguishes justification and sanctification while stressing that both are vital, and stresses the importance of a godly lifestyle, a commitment to mercy, and a continuing reflection on law and justice as evidences of the true, saving faith by which alone we are justified.

  • Calvinism | Description & History | Britannica

    Calvinism , the theology advanced by John Calvin, a Protestant reformer in the 16th century, and its development by his followers. The term also refers to doctrines and practices derived from the works of Calvin and his followers that are characteristic of the Reformed churches. The Calvinist form of Protestantism is widely thought to have had a major impact on the formation of the modern world. ## Calvin’s theology [...] John Calvin (born July 10, 1509, Noyon, Picardy, France—died May 27, 1564, Geneva, Switzerland) was a theologian and ecclesiastical statesman. He was the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. His interpretation of Christianity, advanced above all in his Institutio Christianae religionis (1536 but elaborated in later editions; Institutes of the Christian Religion), and the institutional and social patterns he [...] movement of the time. This movement, which antedates the Reformation, aimed to reform church and society on the model of both classical and Christian antiquity, to be established by a return to the Bible studied in its original languages. It left an indelible mark on Calvin. Under its influence he studied Greek and Hebrew as well as Latin, the three languages of ancient Christian discourse, in preparation for serious study of the Scriptures. It also intensified his interest in the classics; his

  • Five Points of Calvinism - Wikipedia

    The Five Points of Calvinism constitute a summary of soteriology in Reformed Christianity. Named after John Calvin, they largely reflect the teaching of the Canons of Dort. The five points assert that God saves every person upon whom he has mercy, and that his efforts are not frustrated by the unrighteousness or inability of humans. They are occasionally known by the acrosticTULIP: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.(

Calvinism (also called the Reformed Tradition, Reformed Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, or simply Reformed) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice set down by John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the authority of the Bible. Calvinists broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century. Calvinists differ from Lutherans (another major branch of the Reformation) on the spiritual real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper, theories of worship, the purpose and meaning of baptism, and the use of God's law for believers, among other points. The label Calvinism can be misleading, because the religious tradition it denotes has always been diverse, with a wide range of influences rather than a single founder; however, almost all of them drew heavily from the writings of Augustine of Hippo twelve hundred years prior to the Reformation. The namesake and founder of the movement, French reformer John Calvin, embraced Protestant beliefs in the late 1520s or early 1530s, as the earliest notions of later Reformed tradition were already espoused by Huldrych Zwingli. The movement was first called Calvinism in the early 1550s by Lutherans who opposed it. Many in the tradition find it either a nondescript or inappropriate term and prefer the term Reformed. The most important Reformed theologians include Calvin, Zwingli, Martin Bucer, William Farel, Heinrich Bullinger, Peter Martyr Vermigli, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. In the twentieth century, Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, B. B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, Louis Berkhof, Karl Barth, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Cornelius Van Til, R. C. Sproul, and J. I. Packer were influential. Contemporary Reformed theologians include Albert Mohler, John MacArthur, Tim Keller, John Piper, Joel Beeke, and Michael Horton. The Reformed tradition is largely represented by the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, Evangelical Anglican, Congregationalist, and Reformed Baptist denominations. Several forms of ecclesiastical polity are exercised by a group of Reformed churches, including presbyterian, congregationalist, and some episcopal. The biggest Reformed association is the World Communion of Reformed Churches, with more than 100 million members in 211 member denominations around the world. More conservative Reformed federations include the World Reformed Fellowship and the International Conference of Reformed Churches.

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