Calvinism

[ kal-vuh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the doctrines and teachings of John Calvin or his followers, emphasizing predestination, the sovereignty of God, the supreme authority of the Scriptures, and the irresistibility of grace. Compare Arminianism.
2. adherence to these doctrines.

Calvinism

/ ˈkælvɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the theological system of John Calvin and his followers, characterized by emphasis on the doctrines of predestination, the irresistibility of grace, and justification by faith

Calvinism

1. The religious doctrines of John Calvin . Calvin stressed that people are saved through God's grace, not through their own merits. The most famous of Calvin's ideas is his doctrine of predestination . In the United States, the Presbyterians make up the largest single group of Christians (see also Christian ) in the Calvinist tradition.

Derived Forms

• ˈCalvinist, nounadjective
• ˌCalvinˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• Cal·vin·ist noun adjective
• Cal·vin·is·tic [kal-v, uh, -, nis, -tik], adjective
• Cal·vin·is·ti·cal·ly adverb
• an·ti-Cal·vin·ism noun
• an·ti-Cal·vin·ist noun adjective
• an·ti-Cal·vin·is·tic adjective
• non-Cal·vin·ist noun adjective
• non-Cal·vin·is·tic adjective
• pro-Cal·vin·ism noun
• pro-Cal·vin·ist noun adjective
• pro-Cal·vin·is·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Calvinism¹

First recorded in 1560–70; Calvin + -ism

Example Sentences

For the longest time, in Los Angeles as elsewhere, Thanksgiving was principally a religious holiday, a tip of the capotain Puritan hat to the dogged Calvinism of the Mayflower crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

“A few years ago it was Calvinism. Perhaps it will be something else later on.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I think it's the Calvinism," a Dutch colleague ventured when I inquired about the enigmatic reserve of her countrymen.

From Salon

The streak of austerity in Dutch culture can be traced to Calvinism, say residents, the most popular religious branch of Protestantism here for hundreds of years.

From New York Times

While many prominent Southern Baptists promote Calvinism, Barber says he can’t accept one of its tenets — that God only predestines some to be saved.

From Seattle Times