Calvinism

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

the tenets of John Calvin. Sometimes the term Calvinism comprehends his views regarding both theological doctrine and ecclesiastical polity; at others it is limited to the former, and especially to his views on the These are somedoctrines of grace. times called the five points of Calvinism, or, more briefly, the five points; but this latter curt appellation is not sufficiently specific, for the rival system of Armin- CALVINISTIC METHODISTS 298 ianism was also presented by the Remonstrants at the Synod of Dort in five points. Those of Calvinism are the following: 1. Original Sin; 2. Total Depravity; 3. Election, or Predestination; 4. Effectual Calling; 5. Final Perseverance of the Saints. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, who was born in 354, and died in 430, held theological views essentially the same as those afterward promulgated by Calvin. In addition to what may be called the doctrines of grace, Calvin held the spiritual presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, but not the doctrine of consubstantiation. He was thus essentially Zwinglian, and not Lutheran. Calvin's views of church government were essentially what are now called Presbyterian. He held also that the Church should be spiritually independng that ent of the State, but was willing the discipline of the Church should be carried out by the civil power. This last opinion, followed to its logical conclusion, involved him in heavy responsibility for the death of his Socinian antagonist, Servetus, the capital punishment of whom for alleged heresy was approved of not merely by Calvin, but by the other reformers, not excepting the gentle Melanchthon. No one in those days seems to have clearly understood religious liberty.