Calvinism

how did reformation begin?

• The Church weakened by corruption, political struggles, and humanist ideas.
• Some Catholics, questioned practices of Church leaders and teachings.
• Martin Luther became involved in dispute with church over indulgences.
• After begin excommunicated, he started the first Protestant Church.
• Other protestant reformers began to separate from Catholic Church.

Origins of the calvinist church.

• Founded by, French Humanist, John Calvin.
• Calvin did most of his influential work in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Later he took over leadership of the reform movement in Geneva.

Sin and salvation

• No deserved salvation, and one one could force God to grant it.
• God only chose certain people, the "elect" to be saved.
• God knew who would be saved or not, Predestination.
• Good behavior was to honor God not buy their salvation. 
• Only people who were not destined to be saved would sin.

Authority

• Only true source of religious guidance is the bible
• All lire should be lived according to God's law.
• Sins were punished as serious crimes.
• Would interpret the bible and make laws from it.

Rituals and worship

• Churchgoers attended services up to five times a week.
• Churches were simple, with few decorations.
• Used only two sacraments from bible, baptism and communion.
• Only sang words from the bible.

Community life

• Each community was theocracy, state governed by God.
• Strict laws based on the bible.
• Could only name babies to certain names from the bible.
• Church leaders inspected homes yearly to see of they were following rules.