Calvinism Facts & Worksheets

• Total Depravity: This means every part of human nature is affected by sin. Humans are naturally sinful and can’t choose God or do good without God’s help. This shows the Calvinist belief in the need for God’s grace to be saved—people can’t do it on their own.
• Unconditional Election: Calvinism teaches that God chose certain people to be saved before the world was even made. This choice is based only on God’s will, not on anything the person did. This doctrine challenges the idea that people can earn salvation through good deeds, focusing instead on God’s grace.
• Limited Atonement: Calvinists believe Christ’s death on the cross was meant to save only those chosen by God, called the elect. While Christ’s sacrifice is enough for everyone, it only actually saves those predestined for salvation. This belief has sparked debate but remains central to Reformed theology.
• Irresistible Grace: According to this belief, when God offers His grace to the elect, they can’t refuse it. This ensures that those chosen by God will come to faith and be saved. It highlights God’s power and the idea that humans can’t go against God’s will.
• Perseverance of the Saints: This doctrine says those truly chosen by God and given His grace will stay in their faith until the end. Once saved, a person can’t lose their salvation because God will keep them in faith. This belief gives Calvinists confidence, knowing their salvation is guaranteed by God’s power.
• A distinctive feature of Calvinism is the sovereignty of God, more specifically His omnipotence. God exerts supreme power and control over all aspects of life and His decisions cannot be challenged or altered. Calvinists also pay attention to the inerrancy of the scripture and will not accept any authority which is contrary to the word of God.
• Another pillar of Calvinism is Covenant theology. The Covenant theology is the belief that there are two Covens or Testaments: The Old and the New; the Old being said to have been signed with the blood of Abel while the New one was said to have been signed with the blood of Christ. 
• This concept views the interaction that exists between God and people as a set of agreements as described in the scriptures. These covenants demonstrate the plan of salvation and God’s loyalty to his people, and thereby reiterate on the agenda of the Calvinist; God’s omnipotence and mercy.

SPREAD

• Calvinism spread across Europe and beyond, driven by its appeal, structure, and ability to fit different cultures. From its roots in Switzerland, Calvinism spread quickly, influencing regions like France, the Netherlands, Scotland, and beyond.
• Switzerland: Switzerland was one of the most active countries during the Reformation movement due to the fact that it was the birthplace of Calvinism. During Calvin’s tenure in Geneva the city became a beacon of reformation attracting Protestants and students all over Europe. The Reformation ideas continued to spread as these visitors carried Calvinist ideas back to their own countries.
• France: Calvinistic views spread throughout France effectively converting a minority group known as the Huguenots. The Huguenots faced severe persecution in France yet they remained a significant force in the French religious and political arenas. The Edict of Nantes granted them certain liberties in 1598 however the cancellation of this edict in 1685 caused many to seek refuge in other protestant countries thus take the Calvinist doctrines to several new places.
• The Netherlands: Calvinism eventually had a firm ground in the Netherlands and this was made even more definite when the Synod of Dort ratified its doctrine. The Dutch people who were largely reformed Calvinists played a significant role in the struggle of the Netherlands for independence from Spain, and many of the ideals that formed the new Dutch Republic were derived from Calvinist teachings. The Dutch Reformed Church developed into a highly influential institution throughout most of the nation’s culture, politics and social life. The Dutch also introduced Calvinism to their colonies which included the country of South Africa and East Indies.
• Scotland: In Scotland, Calvinism was popularised by John Knox, a reformer who studied under Calvin in Geneva. Knox introduced Calvinism in Scotland and became the founder of the Scottish Reformation and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Calvinist theology and governance were taken by this church and it became an important element of Scotland’s religious organisation. Presbyterianism later extended to Ireland, England and America through Scottish and Irish immigrants thus taking the reformed Calvinism to other parts of the world.
• North America: Calvinist doctrines were introduced to the new world by the Puritans are a significant part of American religious and cultural heritage. The Puritans, strict Calvinists, who arrived on the American seas board in the early 17th century, brought the American work ethic with them which included hard work, discipline and social responsibility, particularly in New England. Calvinism and the concept of the Protestant work ethic have significantly influenced the region, and they continue to remain part of American culture.
• Africa and Asia: As the European colonial powers grew in size, so did the dominance of Calvinist thought. In South Africa, the Dutch settlers known as Afrikaners formed the Dutch Reformed Church which had strong links with the nation. Likewise, Calvinist missionaries spread Reformed theology to other regions of Asia including Indonesia and Korea where its impact on certain Christian denominations can still be observed up to this day.

INFLUENCE

• Calvinism impacted much more than religious thought; it influenced politics, education, and art. Some of the important beliefs held by Calvinists include the idea that democracy and freedom are the domain of the people, and rulers are accountable to God and citizens can stand up against tyrannical rulers for the right to rule was granted by God almighty. These ideas were especially significant during the reign of the English Civil War and the American Revolution where the Calvinist doctrine provided grounds for freedom.
• In education, Calvinism emphasised literacy and learning, seeing education as essential for understanding Scripture. This focus led to the establishment of schools and universities in societies influenced by Reformed theology. Calvinists believed that educated people could better understand God’s will and live accordingly.
• Calvinism also impacted the arts. Some traditions discouraged elaborate religious art and music, favouring simplicity and focus on Scripture, but others embraced the arts reflecting Calvinist values. Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer, for example, often depicted scenes of humility, piety, and daily life, resonating with Calvinist themes of simplicity and devotion.
• Calvinism’s adaptability to different cultures has led to a variety of theological perspectives within the Reformed tradition. Different branches of Calvinism, like the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist churches, show the diverse ways Calvinist theology has been interpreted and practised around the world. This diversity has kept Calvinism relevant in various cultural and historical settings, ensuring its continued influence.
• Calvinism in the modern world is still a very active branch of Christianity. Modern Calvinist thinkers and leaders in reformed churches around the world remain relevant in addressing contemporary questions of justice, globalisation, and the place of faith in the modern world. It is for this reason that Calvinism continues to be in touch with its followers across the globe, influencing their beliefs and practices as it has always been.