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

“Positive thinking starts in the 19th century as a somewhat reasonable response to Calvinism,” she explained.

From The Daily Beast

He was not many years removed from the sound of a preaching of the straitest New England Calvinism.

From Project Gutenberg

Sire, Calvinism will save France by setting up a moral barrier between her and a nation which covets the empire of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Calvinism, above all theological creeds, might be supposed antipathetic to him.

From Project Gutenberg

If they invited her to Scotland, it was in the name of the Parliament which had set up Calvinism as the law of the land.

From Project Gutenberg

Calvinism drew with it a thirst for political liberty, and religious revolution became the prelude to political revolution.

From Project Gutenberg