Calvinism

John Calvin

Background Christianity St. Augustine The Reformation Calvinism is a system of Christian theology and an approach to Christian life and thought, articulated by John Calvin, a Protestant Reformer in the 16th century, and subsequently by successors, associates, followers and admirers of Calvin and his interpretation of Scripture. ... From [1], in the public domain This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was an important French Christian theologian during the Protestant Reformation and is the namesake of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recounted in the Gospels. ... Aurelius Augustinus, Augustine of Hippo, or Saint Augustine (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430) was one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement in the 16th century to reform the Catholic Church in Western Europe. ...

Distinctives Calvin's Institutes Five Solas Five Points (TULIP) Regulative principle Confessions of faith Institutes of the Christian Religion is John Calvins seminal work on Protestant theology. ... The Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers basic beliefs and emphasis in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day. ... Calvinist theology is often identified in the popular mind as the so-called five points of Calvinism (remembered in the English-speaking world with the mnemonic TULIP), which are a summation of the judgments (or canons) rendered by the Synod of Dordt and which were published in the Quinquarticular Controversy... The regulative principle of worship is a Christian theological doctrine teaching that the public worship of God should include those and only those elements that are instituted, commanded, or appointed by command or example in the Bible; that God institutes in Scripture everything he requires for worship in the Church... The Reformed churches express their consensus of faith in various creeds. ...

Influences Theodore Beza Synod of Dort Puritan theology Jonathan Edwards Princeton theologians Karl Barth To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... xxx cciiiox The Synod of Dort was a National Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618/19, by the Dutch Reformed Church, in order to settle a serious controversy in the Dutch churches initiated by the rise of Arminianism. ... The Puritans were members of a group of radical Protestants which developed in England after the Reformation. ... Jonathan Edwards (October 5, 1703- March 22, 1758) was a colonial American Congregational preacher and theologian. ... The Princeton theology is a tradition of conservative, Christian, Reformed and Presbyterian theology at Princeton Seminary, in Princeton, New Jersey. ... Karl Barth (May 10, 1886–December 10, 1968) (pronounced Bart) was an influential Swiss Reformed Christian theologian. ...

Churches Reformed Presbyterian Congregationalist Reformed Baptist The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine, which first arose especially in the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli, but soon afterward appeared in nations throughout Western Europe. ... Presbyterianism is a form of Protestant Christianity, primarily in the Reformed branch of Christendom, as well as a particular form of church government. ... Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... The name Reformed Baptist does not refer to a distinct denomination but instead is a description of the churchs theological leaning. ...

Peoples Afrikaner Calvinists Huguenots Pilgrims Puritans Afrikaner Calvinism is a unique cultural development that combined the Calvinist religion with the political aspirations of the white Afrikaans speaking people of South Africa. ... In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name of Huguenots came to apply to members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France, or historically as the French Calvinists. ... Pilgrims Going to Church by George Henry Boughton (1867) The Pilgrims were a group of English religious separatists who sailed from Europe to North America in the early 17th century, in search of a home where they could freely practice their style of religion. ... The Puritans were originally members of a group of English Protestants seeking purity — further reforms or even separation from the established church — during the Protestant Reformation. ... This box: view • talk • edit

Presbyterian governance of a church is typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. It was developed as a rejection of rule by hierarchies of single bishops (episcopalian church governance). This theory of government is strongly associated with Swiss and Scottish Protestant Reformation movements, with the Reformed churches, and more particularly with the Presbyterian church - the first Presbyterian church was the Church of Scotland. John Calvin was influential in its formulation. Presbyterianism is constructed on specific assumptions about the form of the government intended by the New Testament: Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, a synonym of episkopos, which has come to mean bishop. ... Episcopalian government in the church is rule by a hierarchy of bishops (Greek: episcopoi). ... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within Europe Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement in the 16th century to reform the Catholic Church in Western Europe. ... The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine, which first arose especially in the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli, but soon afterward appeared in nations throughout Western Europe. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... The Church of Scotland (CofS, known informally as The Kirk) is the national church of Scotland. ... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was an important French Christian theologian during the Protestant Reformation and is the namesake of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism. ... John 21:1 Jesus Appears to His Disciples--Alessandro Mantovani: the Vatican, Rome. ...

• A bishop is the highest office of the church (there is no Patriarch or Pope over bishops),
• Bishop and elder (or presbyter) are synonymous terms. Bishop describes the function of the elder (literally, overseer), rather than the maturity of the officer.
  • The function of preaching (the ministry of the Word) and the administration of the sacraments is ordinarily entrusted to specially trained elders (known as ministers) in each local congregation, approved for these tasks by a governing assembly (presbytery, or classis), and called by the local congregation.
  • Pastoral care, discipline, leadership and legislation are committed to the care of ruling assemblies of presbyters among whom the ministers and other elders are equal participants.
• All Christian people together are the priesthood, on behalf of whom the elders are called to serve by the consent of the congregation (priesthood of all believers).

Thus, the presbyters (elders) govern together as a group, and at all times the office is for the service of the congregation, to pray for them and to encourage them in the faith. The elders together exercise oversight (episcopacy) over the local congregation, with superior groups of elders gathered on a regional basis exercising wider oversight. A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ... A presbytery can be - * the residence of one or more presbyters, priests, or religious elders; - * an area of a church or cathedral reserved for priests; - * the collective college of priests in a diocese, archdiocese, or prelature; - * the local unit in the polity of a Presbyterian church, consisting of presbyters (i. ... The priesthood of all believers is a Protestant doctrine founded on the First Epistle of Peter, 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into...

Historically, Presbyterians have opposed the concentration of government in individuals, or small elite groups. Presbyterianism is a conciliar method of church government (i.e. leadership by the group or council).

Presbyterians typically have viewed this method of government as approximating that of the New Testament and earliest churches. However, sometimes it is admitted that episcopacy was a form of government that was used very early in the church for practical reasons. Some Presbyterians are more adamant, that prelacy is in itself corrupt and rebellious against the Word of God. John 21:1 Jesus Appears to His Disciples--Alessandro Mantovani: the Vatican, Rome. ... A prelate is a member of the clergy having a special canonical jurisdiction over a territory or a group of people; usually, a prelate is a bishop. ...

Presbyterianism is also distinct from Congregationalism, in that individual congregations are not independent, but are answerable to the wider church, through its superior courts (presbyteries and assemblies). Also, the ordained ministry possesses a distinct responsibility for preaching and sacraments. Congregational churches are sometimes called "Presbyterian", because they are sometimes governed by a council of elders; but the difference is that every local congregation is independent, and its elders are accountable to its members, and congregationalism's wider assemblies are not ordinarily empowered to enforce discipline. Thus these are ruled by elders only at the level of the congregations, which are united with one another by covenants of trust. Reformed Baptist churches are sometimes organized to be governed by elders, on the Congregationalist model. Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation indepedently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... A presbytery can be - * the residence of one or more presbyters, priests, or religious elders; - * an area of a church or cathedral reserved for priests; - * the collective college of priests in a diocese, archdiocese, or prelature; - * the local unit in the polity of a Presbyterian church, consisting of presbyters (i. ... The term general assembly can refer to The largest unit of organisation in the polity of a (national) Presbyterian church, containing several synods or presbyteries. ... Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... The name Reformed Baptist does not refer to a distinct denomination but instead is a description of the churchs theological leaning. ...

Church Session

In a Presbyterian church, elders make decisions for the local congregation, through a ruling body called the Session (Latin. sessio from sedere "to sit"). The members of the Session are the minister (short for "minister of the Word and Sacrament", sometimes called a "teaching elder"), and the other elders (sometimes called "lay elders" or "ruling elders"). The elders are persons chosen from among the congregation and ordained for this service. Beyond that, practices vary: sometimes elders are elected by congregation, sometimes appointed by the Session, some denominations ordain elders for life, others have fixed terms, some churches appoint elders on a rotation from among willing members in good standing in the church. Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace—a holy mystery. ...

Ministers are also elders - and are equal in status - but have a distinct ordination and distinct function. They are the primary preachers and teachers, celebrants of sacraments, and usually preside over the Session (chair). In theory, the minister is not the head of the Session - typically enjoying only a casting vote. (In reality, the minister is often regarded as 'the leader').

The English word, "priest" is derived by way of the Old English word prester from the Greek word, "presbyteros" (elder), from which the English language also has the word, "presbyter" . However, as with the words "bishop" and "clergy", the word "priest" is not normally used by Presbyterians to describe the office of any elder. Presbyterian churches emphasize the traditional Reformed understanding that all are God's people and all are priests, each exercising different functions, some with greater accountability, but all with a holy calling. Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon) is an early form of the English language that was spoken in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland between the mid-fifth century and the mid-twelfth century. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

In Presbyterianism there are sometimes further distinctions between the minister and the other elders. Some denominations of Presbyterians consider the minister to be a member of the presbytery (i.e. the regional assembly of the church), rather than of the local congregation. Other Presbyterian denominations enrol the ministers as members of their congregations.

The office of deacon has different meanings among different Presbyterian churches. In some churches deacons exercise responsibility from practical matters (finance and fabric)- either separately or together with the elders. Other churches have similar offices but use different designations. Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ...

Higher Courts

In Presbyterianism congregations are united in accountability to the regional presbytery (sometimes called a Classis). Presbyteries, in turn, may be under the jurisdiction of higher courts such as synods and General Assemblies. These courts again are composed of presbyters (elders and ministers). Presbyters are elected by their congregations to serve as commissioners; They exercise their own judgement and are not required to vote how their congregation would wish them, this would be a form of Congregationalism. A presbytery can be - * the residence of one or more presbyters, priests, or religious elders; - * an area of a church or cathedral reserved for priests; - * the collective college of priests in a diocese, archdiocese, or prelature; - * the local unit in the polity of a Presbyterian church, consisting of presbyters (i. ... A synod (also known as a council) is a council of a church, usually a Christian church, convened to decide an issue of doctrine or administration. ... The term general assembly can refer to The largest unit of organisation in the polity of a (national) Presbyterian church, containing several synods or presbyteries. ...

Until the 20th century, only men had been eligible for the office of "teaching" elder (minister of the word and sacrament) or "ruling" elder, world-wide. This is widely not the case any longer; although, it is usually considered a demarcation issue, distinguishing "liberal" from "conservative" churches with Presbyterian government.

See also

• Ecclesiastical Polity
  • Episcopalian church governance
  • Congregationalist church governance
• Congregational church
• Federalism
• Presbyterianism
• Reformed churches

• For a full list of individual denominations see List of Christian denominations#Reformed and Presbyterian Churches

Episcopalian government in the church is rule by a hierarchy of bishops (Greek: episcopoi). ... Congregationalist church governance, often known as congregationalism, is a system of church governance in which every local congregation is independent. ... Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... Federalism is the idea of a group or body of members that are bound together (latin: foedus, covenant) with a governing representative head. ... Presbyterianism is a form of Protestant Christianity, primarily in the Reformed branch of Christendom, as well as a particular form of church government. ... The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine, which first arose especially in the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli, but soon afterward appeared in nations throughout Western Europe. ... List of Christian denominations (or Denominations self-identified as Christian) ordered by historical and doctrinal relationships. ...

External links

• World Alliance of Reformed Churches