Protestant Reformation Calvin vs. Luther John Calvin

Protestant Reformation Calvin vs. Luther

John Calvin and Martin Luther while both proponents of reform in the Catholic church, held distinctly different views of religious doctrine that profoundly influenced the religious landscape during the 16th century and encouraged citizens to take charge of their spirituality and salvation. Both religious leaders helped shape and influence the Reformation and formed the foundation for Episcopalian and Presbyterian beliefs today.

The Protestant Reformation is often considered one of the most revolutionary events to occur within the 16th century. During this time citizens were forced with the decision between Catholicism and Protestantism. John Calvin and Martin Luther are two figureheads who helped spearhead the Protestant Reformation. Despite there similar desire to reform the church and change the dominant doctrine of the time, Martin Luther and John Calvin were very different in their interpretations of religious doctrine. Martin Luther supported a less aggressive reformation based on 'faith-based practice', which promised salvation to mankind on the basis of faith alone. John Calvin on the other hand supported a more stringent and rigid doctrine, which suggested that mankind is either predestined for salvation or damnation, and to that effect there is little one, can do to change their destiny.

This paper will outline the primary differences between Calvinist and Lutheran doctrine with specific attention to how these different views of religious doctrine helped influence the religious landscape during the 16th century. The author will also review the relative merits of both Calvinist and Lutheran doctrine compared with Catholicism, and the influence all have had on faith-based practice throughout history.

Martin Luther and the Reformation

Most associate the Reformation with Martin Luther, a reportedly self-made man who struggled throughout his life with the intent of reconciling his religious faith "with wordy ambitions" (Kreis, 1). Luther believed that devotion to God would help him overcome "worldly distractions," but ultimately he still felt doubtful of his faith (Kreis, 1). Luther acknowledge that man by nature is sinful, much like John Calvin later did. However Luther's doctrine is very different from Calvin's.

Lutheran's beliefs form the foundation for Protestantism by refuting traditional beliefs of the Catholic church. Luther's beliefs arose from Martin Luther's personal struggle to overcome the guilt he associated with committing sin. Unlike Calvin Luther concerned himself less with changing the actual process of worship and more with determining what variables were essential for mankind's salvation. Luther believed that mankind could work toward salvation, a key tenet of the Catholic faith at the time. Luther however approached salvation from a much different viewpoint than traditional Catholic leaders at t he time.

Luther's primary argument was that sinners could be redeemed by faith-based practice alone. Throughout his life Luther felt doubts about much of the way Catholicism dictated faith, and strongly encouraged the idea that Christian salvation via piety requires that individuals are contrite for sins and trust God's mercy, but proclaimed that attending church alone, fasting and participating in good works were not enough to ensure ones salvation (Kreis, 2). Rather Luther supported various arguments presented in a document referred to as his Ninety-Five Theses. It is here that the basic tenets of Luther's faith are revealed, a series of ideas that challenge corruption and indulgences within the church as well as other unsound practices as defined by Luther (Kreis, 2).

Luther's secondary argument was against indulgences including the sale of indulgences to put buyer in touch with grace and to guarantee salvation (Kreis, 1). Indulgences at the time were "papal remission of the guilt still attaching to sins after the sins had been absolved primarily through the sacrament of Penance" (Mullett, 46). The idea of indulgences also supported the notion that b performing good deeds and charity one could help alleviate the guilt resulting from sins that might otherwise ensure ones suffering by damnation (Mullett, 46). Indulgences might almost be considered insurance policies to prevent damnation (Mullett, 46).

Luther suggested that indulgence was symbolic of false doctrine, and suggested that salvation is indeed contingent more on an individual's faith rather than sacraments or church rituals. Luther argued that faith alone without good works would ultimately result in one's salvation, an idea that at the time at best was considered heretical (Kreis, 1). The idea that good works would not guarantee salvation was quite radical for the time. Luther's arguments however continued to support the notion that only God not man could offer salvation or bestow salvation on mankind. Luther also supported the central notion that sinful people "were accounted and justified in God's eyes not through the worth they actively pursued but only passively, by accepting and trusting that Christ had died to atone for their sins (Mullett, 46). Hence anyone considered "just" according to Luther were capable of salvation through faith alone. Luther considered ritual acts or sacraments futile, suggesting that people could receive salvation through the amazing gift of divine faith alone (Gottfreid, 1).

Luther's principles and doctrines were widely embraced even though controversial at the time. Many feared for Luther's life as his suppositions opposed years of doctrine laid down by the Catholic church. However despite the controversy surrounding Luther's ideas, many grasped quickly onto the idea that faith alone might result in salvation. Many people turned toward Luther's faith as it offered a means of salvation without paying "homage to Rome" (Kreis, 1). Luther's faith was popular among the wealthy, but also among the poor who believed that Luther's perspectives afforded them more dignity and respect (Kreis, 1).

Luther believed and placed considerable effort in supporting the idea that it was the responsibility of individuals to "secure remission of sins through contrition for them" (Mullett, 46). Luther believed that man could seek salvation through contrite acts and through faith in God, and went as far as suggesting that faith alone was enough to promise salvation to mankind.

Those who oppose Luther's faith suggest that man cannot redeem sin through faith-based practice alone. Such practice according to opponents ultimately devalues good works and the need for charity and good faith efforts (Gottfried, 1). Luther however does not attempt to suggest that good works and deeds have no value in the church. Rather he suggests that such actions are not necessary to guarantee salvation.

John Calvin's Reformation

John Calvin in the second spiritual leader of the Protestant Reformation, and though similar to Luther in many ways offered entirely different perspectives on faith and salvation (Kreis, 1). Calvin did pull some key principles from Luther's Protestantism. Calvin defended the idea that mankind could be saved through faith-based practices alone and renounced Catholicism as did his predecessor Martin Luther (Kreis, 1). The core faith inspired by Calvin became known as Calvinism.

The basic foundation of Calvin's beliefs however are different from Luther, in that for Calvin faith-based practice was not a means through which individuals could acquire salvation. Rather Calvin argues that faith-based practices are merely something that God's elect choose to do because they are driven to do so because they are predestined for salvation. The primary premise behind this faith is that man is helpless before "an all powerful God" (Kreis, 1). This suggests that one can't change his or her density and perform acts to reverse the likelihood that one will suffer damnation.

The primary difference between Calvin and Luther, is that Calvin believed that while faith-based practices were essential to salvation, certain individuals were predestined to participate in such practices. This means that those predestined for salvation are more likely to engage in spiritual acts and good deeds. Calvin argues that people predestined for salvation will engage in faith-based practices, and must do so with the strictest adherence to the principles outlined in the scriptures. Calvin's doctrine is much more stringent than that asserted by Luther, and allows much less room for interpretation or analysis.

Calvin further asserted that free will did not exist and that all beings were predestined for their path on earth and the life they would lead after, whether in heaven or hell (Kreis, 1). According to Calvin there was nothing that man could do to influence or change his destiny. This suggests that if a man is good he performs good deeds because he is predestined to do so. Likewise someone that sins does so as this is his nature and he is destined to do so. Interestingly Calvin also acknowledges that some people may perform good deeds and services, but this alone is not a guarantee of salvation.

There are instances according to Calvin where despite ones actions one may not be destined for salvation. Calvin also spurned worldly pleasures and encouraged mankind to avoid material indulgences (Kreis, 1). The foundation of his beliefs is the idea of predestination that we are all predestined to either go to be saved or burn in the fires of damnation before birth. Because of this there is nothing that anyone can do to change his or her faith. These ideas are much less forgiving than Lutheran's doctrine, which suggests that faith-based practice alone is a symbol of salvation.

Calvin's stringent Protestant beliefs do not suggest however that good works serve no purpose. Like Luther Calvin does find purpose in good works, even though Luther suggests that good works are not necessary for salvation. Calvin suggests that good works were a sign that someone was making "the best of their life here on earth" and while that may suggest someone is more likely to go to heaven, there were no guarantees (Kreis, 1).

Calvin also suggested the notion of calling, that some people are called to perform certain duties while here on earth (Kreis, 1). Those whose calling included living a sober and meaningful life would acquire wealth, and rationalized the notion for wealth by suggesting that certain individuals had a spirit that enabled them to acquire wealth, an idea later translated into the Protestant Work Ethic (Kreis, 1; Hooker 1).

John Calvin was also much more influential than his predecessor Martin Luther, though Luther did establish the basis for Calvinism. Calvin's ideas encouraged followers to interpret everything in the bible explicitly and thus literally (Hooker, 1). Thus any information presented by the scriptures must be followed literally. His ideas were rapidly embraced by those who already followed the doctrines outlined b the church as many of these people already believed that they were predestined for salvation.

The idea that an elect group of individuals predestined to find salvation was spurred by Calvin (Hooker, 1). Calvin suggested that those elected for salvation subsequently formed the church, including official members of the church and lay people (Hooker, 1). For this reason his ideas on salvation are sometimes referred to as "the doctrine of the elect" (Hooker, 1). This idea supports the notion that not all good people are destined for salvation or appointed among the elect, but anyone with bad behavior must not be among the elect (Hooker, 1). Calvin perpetuated the notion that churches be filled with living saints, or those destined for salvation (Hooker, 1).

Critics of Calvinist doctrine often suggest that Calvin interprets much of Christian doctrine too literally (Hooker, 1). The primary opposition to this set of beliefs is that mankind can do nothing to influence his chances for salvation. This opposes the very idea established by Luther suggesting that faith-based practice is enough alone to guarantee salvation. Calvin suggests that mankind will act in a pious and charitable manner primarily out of an innate desire for salvation.

Calvin's argument that mankind is predestined however seems weak in light of Christ's sacrifice for mankind, acknowledged by Christianity up until this time (Hooker, 1) Calvin however does however acknowledge Christ's sacrifice, but claims that this sacrifice was not to redeem sinners and change their pre-destiny. Rather, Calvin argues that Christ's sacrifice was done so for those that are already predestined for salvation. Calvin was very firm in his assertion that nothing can change man's destiny, particularly given that God is all powerful and all seeing.

Conclusions and Summary

John Calvin and Martin Luther, while undoubtedly figureheads and leaders in the Protestant Reformation, promoted very different idealisms and interpretations of the Christian faith. Martin Luther suggests that salvation is attainable to all mankind through faith-based practices alone. His beliefs while contrary to those established by the Catholic church are much more in line with Catholicism than John Calvin's doctrine. John Calvin suggests that mankind is predestined for salvation or damnation. His beliefs are much less forgiving than those of Lutheran and other protestant reformers. Calving suggests that there is little one can do to change ones destiny. Further he argues that those predestined for salvation are much more likely to be members of the church's elect and to act in a manner synonymous with salvation.

Calvin Doctrine often referred to as Presbyterian Doctrine suggests that many by nature is sinful and predestined; mankind can't help himself nor deliver himself from a "dreadful state" unless through the will and grace of God alone (Whirlwind, 2005). Under Calvin's Presbyterian-based Doctrine mankind is predestined to be saved or to suffer eternal damnation. God chooses who will be saved and what members of society are to be members of the church. God, who is all powerful in nature, decides who will receive mercy and who is not worthy.

Under Calvin's doctrine one may assume that those who are chosen for salvation will come to follow God's faith without prompt, because they are called to do so. This suggests that little attempts need be made by church officials or other representatives to convert those that do not follow the religious faith. Calvin's doctrine also suggests that there is no hope for those that do not strictly follow the guidelines outlined by the bible. Those who are meant to be saved will do what the need to do in this lifetime. Those that are marked for damnation will also act accordingly. Interestingly Calvin suggests that not all good people or individuals who perform good acts are destined for salvation. His beliefs are at best, gloomy and somewhat anxiety producing. It is because of this that many flocked first and foremost to Lutheran's beliefs more so than Calvin's.