Lutheranism v calvinism PDF

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Comparative essay for weekly writing assignment...

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Kaela Shelby Lutheranism was the initial, more orthodox form of Protestantism. Martin Luther, the founder of the sub-sect religion, did not set out with the intention of starting a new church, but only sought to fix what he saw as violations of biblical doctrine. Luther was openly against the selling of indulgences in exchange for favor or the promise of salvation in the Catholic Church. Indulgences involved the exoneration of sins granted by the Catholic Church to those who offered a certain amount of currency to them. Luther saw this practice as exceptionally corrupt and dishonest and, in his opinion, no Protestant faction should ever participate in these acts against morality. The main tenets of the practice of Lutheranism include: justification by faith which is the act by which a person is made deserving of salvation and the belief that humans are not saved through their good works but through faith in the promises of God. Calvinism, which was founded by French cleric John Calvin, was the first major religion to branch off of Protestantism. The main principle that distinguishes Calvinism from other religions is called predestination. To Calvin, God’s omniscience meant he knew where each person would go after they died. Thus, predestination is the belief that before we are even born, it is already decided whether we would go to heaven or hell after death. Calvinism also came with the expectancy that its followers had to perform what Calvin called "good works" to gain favor in the eyes of God. Hard work and dedication to the greater glory of God might possibly influence Him and increase one’s chances of getting into His Kingdom. The Anabaptists were the least traditional of the three. They believed in credobaptism rather than baptism shortly after birth like everyone else. This meant that anabaptists were only to be baptized into the religion once they reached such a level of sufficient maturation that they could easily confess their beliefs in the religion. Babies were not baptized because, by the principles of Anabaptism, at such a young age they couldn’t possibly be aware of the significance that baptism represented in the faith. Anabaptists were also against any one of their followers becoming government officials and the use of wedding rings as symbols of matrimonial union. For Anabaptists, the only oath that mattered to them was their own spiritual oath and the greater glory of God. How each of these differed from Catholicism is as follows:  Lutheranism emphasizes the concept of faith alone to ensure salvation. Catholicism on the other hand claims that through good works and faith, one can attain salvation.  Calvinism opposes Catholicism because the Catholic Church holds that people can control where they go after death by how they live their lives whereas Calvinists believe their destiny is pre-determined.  Anabaptism rejected conventional Christian practices such as the use of wedding rings, taking an form of oath and participating in civil government. They abided by a literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount and Believer's baptism....