Similarities Between Luther and John Calvinism

When discussing the Protestant Reformation, two names that often come to mind are Martin Luther and John Calvin. Both of these figures played significant roles in shaping the religious landscape of Europe during the 16th century. While they had their differences, there are also several key similarities between Luther and Calvinism that are worth exploring.

Similar Views on Salvation

One of the most striking similarities between Luther and Calvinism is their shared belief in the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Both men emphasized the importance of faith in Christ as the means of salvation, and rejected the Catholic Church's teaching that good works were necessary for salvation. For Luther, this belief was central to his theology, and he famously stated that justification by faith was the article by which the church stands or falls. Calvin also emphasized the primacy of faith in salvation, and his doctrine of predestination was a natural outgrowth of this belief.

Emphasis on the Authority of Scripture

Another key similarity between Luther and Calvinism is their emphasis on the authority of scripture. Both men rejected the authority of the Pope and the traditions of the Catholic Church, and instead looked to the Bible as the ultimate source of religious truth. Luther's belief in sola scriptura, or scripture alone, became a foundational principle of Protestantism, and Calvin also placed a high value on the authority of scripture in his theological writings.

Rejection of the Catholic Church's Sacraments

Luther and Calvinism also shared a rejection of many of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. While Luther retained the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, he rejected the Catholic Church's teaching on the sacraments of penance, extreme unction, confirmation, and marriage. Calvin, on the other hand, only retained the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and rejected the other sacraments as human inventions that lacked biblical support.

Emphasis on the Sovereignty of God

Both Luther and Calvinism emphasized the sovereignty of God in their theological writings. Luther's doctrine of the bondage of the will and Calvin's doctrine of predestination were both expressions of this belief. Both men taught that God was in control of all things, including the salvation of individuals, and that human beings were powerless to save themselves apart from God's grace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Luther and Calvinism had their differences, there are also several key similarities between the two figures. Both men emphasized the importance of faith in Christ as the means of salvation, rejected the authority of the Pope and the traditions of the Catholic Church in favor of scripture, and emphasized the sovereignty of God in their theological writings. These shared beliefs played a significant role in shaping the development of Protestantism and continue to influence Christian theology to this day.