Calvinism

Calvinism (also called the Reformed tradition or the Reformed faith) is a major branch of Western Christianity following the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice of several Reformation era theologians who broke with the Roman Catholic church but differed with Lutherans on the real presence of Christ in the Lord's supper, theories of worship, and the use of God's law for believers, among other things. Early influential Refomed theologians include John Calvin, Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger, and Peter Martyr Vermigli. Calvinism bears the name of the French reformer John Calvin because of his noticeable influence and because of his role in the confessional and ecclesiastical debates of the 16th century. Rarely it may refer to the teachings of Calvin himself. The system is sometimes identified with the five points of Calvinism and is best known today for its doctrines of predestination and total depravity, stressing the total contingency of man's salvation upon the absolute sovereignty of God.