Comparing and Contrasting Luther and Calvin

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Professor Paul McGraw

RELH 321

22 February 2015

Comparing the Theologies of Luther and Calvin

If a person were alive in the sixteenth century, one would be able to state that the two prominent reformation movements as Lutheranism and Calvinism. Martin Luther and John Calvin are, in general, known to be very different from each other. However, even though Calvin criticized some of Luther’s teachings, Calvin actually had deep respect for Luther and looked up to him even though there were prominent differences in their theologies. Moreover, Calvin and Luther actually had similarities in their teachings. However, due to Calvin being born 26 years later than Luther, Calvin had regained a new kind of reform which created big differences between him and Luther.

First off, both Calvin and Luther agreed that the church was invented from scripture, instead of saying that the church was the one who produced the scriptures. This was one of the main problems the Catholic Church had with Calvin and Luther because this was considered a direct rebellion against the church. A second similarity between both Calvin and Luther’s teachings is that both of them argued that God was not the author of sin. With that being said, this also meant that they argued that sin and the Devil were used indirectly by God to accomplish God’s will. A third similarity would be that both theologies of Calvin and Luther were completely Christ centered, which means that they believed in imputed righteousness (Through Jesus alone, Jesus’ righteousness is imputed to sinners and is righteousness for sinners). This was another red flag against the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church believed in inherent righteousness (The more good works a sinner does, the closer they get to salvation). A fourth similarity in the teachings of Calvin and Luther was that both of them admitted to doubt even though both were assured of salvation. Because of this, they both found to believe that faith and...