Abstract
This paper discusses the life of John Calvin, born Jean Cauvin in 1509. It discusses his upbringing and his conversion to Protestantism. The paper briefly examines some of the works that Calvin published and his role in Geneva after re-elections to the city council. Finally, the paper discusses the Calvinist theology and its appeal as a strong alternative to the Catholic Church.

From the Paper
"Calvin most likely did not foresee the ultimate implications of his concept of predesination and wealth, but Max Weber did. In his book, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Weber posits that the ultimate force behind the development of capitalism was the Protestant ethic of the accumulation of wealth. The underlying assumption being that the more wealth that you accumulate, the better off you are than the next person. This phenomenon can be evidenced today on even the most basic level by teenagers sporting Abercrombie and Fitch T-shirts and ostracizing those who can't afford /choose not to wear them, and by adults who buy flashy cars and large houses to demonstrate to the world how successful they are. Who knew that buying a BMW was a way of proving that you're going to heaven?"

Tags:Protestant, Catholic, church

Abstract
The paper uses Millard Erickson's book "Christian Theology" to compare and contrast the belief structures of the Calvinists, Arminians and Karl Barth. This includes a brief summary of Erickson's perspective on how the conflicts between these theologies can be resolved. The topics discussed in this paper include predestination, the elect, human depravity and free will as pertains to these concepts.

From the Paper
"The Calvinists and Arminians have some very basic conflicting views of the predestination of humans in relation to God, grace and free will. Theologian Karl Barth devised a series of arguments that attempted to walk a path between or perhaps around these conflicting arguments, while still not completely disagreeing with either position out of hand. In this paper, I will discuss the similarities and differences between these three perspectives and describe Millard Erickson's solution to the apparent discrepancies. The Calvinist beliefs on predestination are complex, and are best described, according to Erickson, as falling into one of five basic tenets. These are: "total depravity, unconditional predestination, limited atonement, irresistible grace and perseverance." Each of these concepts is important to understanding their basic belief system, although there are variations in the theology."

Tags:calvinism, arminianism, barth

Abstract
This paper looks at Millard Erickson's discussion of the concepts of perseverance and apostasy in the Calvinist and Arminian theologies. The paper compares and contrasts his presentation of their views on salvation and briefly summarizes the suggestions Erickson provides for reconciling the views. The paper concludes with a personal interpretation of their reconciliation.

From the Paper
"The Calvinist and Arminian views on perseverance, that is, the ability of the believer in God and Jesus to retain his or her status of a Christian and one of the saved, vary widely. Perseverance is described by Erickson as the ability of the Christian to "successfully endure all the trials and temptations of this life and remain true to the Lord until death." The two groups' views depend on whether or not a person's salvation is permanent or not, which is to say whether or not a person can commit apostasy, which will be discussed below before presenting some possible solutions for reconciling these perspectives. The Calvinist viewpoint on perseverance is that once salvation is granted by God, which is foreordained and unalterable by human action, it is impossible to lose this salvation or status of being elect."

Tags:calvinism, arminianism, perseverance

Abstract
This paper expounds on the Calvinist ideology known as predestination, which holds that salvation comes from God and God alone and that our fate has been decided before we are born, and more importantly, before we have a choice. The paper also examines the ideology of religious thought that does not agree with predestination teaching and which acknowledges man's free will and its importance in determining our destiny. The religious philosophy of one of the most vocal challengers of Calvinism, Jacobus Arminius, is discussed and cited as an example of those who claim that man is responsible for his own salvation.

From the Paper
"There are many believers who support the Calvinist theory today. Many popular Christian pastors adopt this point of view. For example, John MacArthur, pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, writes, "Our Lord emphasized that God Himself is the determinative factor in salvation . . . it is God who either reveals the truth or keeps it hidden" (MacArthur 107-8). In addition, MacArthur also believes that faith itself is a gift from God rather than "something conjured up by the human will" (173). Mac Arthur is not alone is his support of this belief."

Tags:grace, sin, creation, mercy, humanity, morality, predestined, soul, saved, guilt, unconditional

Abstract
This paper discusses how the theology that God has pre-ordained events throughout the history of the world, and has pre-ordained those who will enter a state of salvation is common to both Calvinists and Lutherans. This is called pre-destination and both Luther and Calvin strongly believed it to be truth. The paper also looks at the similarities of both religions on God and salvation and their joint beliefs in total depravity, unconditional election, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of Saints.

Outline:
Calvinist Similarities and Differences with Lutheranism
Why did Calvinism Become the Major International Form of Protestantism?

From the Paper
"Calvinist and Lutheran views of the Lord's Supper differ also. This may be one of the biggest controversies between Luther and Calvin. Catholicism believes that the bread used in the Lord's Supper or Communion actually becomes the physical body of Christ when the priest holds it up at the altar and proclaims, "This is my body..." Lutherans mostly believe that the real body and blood of the Lord are physically present at the Lord's Table and are taken by believer and unbeliever. The Presbyterian or Reformed view of this is that the body and blood of Christ are indeed present at the Communion Table, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit (within us) uniting us with Christ, and only believers partake. It is not the physical body and blood of Christ that the believer is taking, but that spirit of unity brought on by the power of the Holy Spirit. "

Tags:Protestantism, salvation

Abstract
This piece is a analysis of Puritanism. The author starts by discussing how the Puritan religion emerged as a result of the religious and political conflict in England during the 16th century, conflict which the monarchy was unable to alleviate. Then, the author discusses how, the Puritans, who were fed up with the bureaucracy and ritual of traditional Christianity, established a faith built on discipline of faith and the predestination of the Calvinists. After discussing how Puritanism entailed searching for signs that one had been saved, the author shows how some of the Puritans, fleeing religious persecution, established a highly ordered and flourishing colony in New England. The author closes by indicating that the religion eventually failed due to factionalism and a growing desire for personal salvation among its adherents.

Abstract
The paper examines Jean de Lery's "History of a Voyage to the Land of Brazil" that was published in 1578, and is regarded as one of the great works of early ethnography. The paper explains that Lery was writing from a particular point of view, that of a French Huguenot, who was living in a time of religious strife in France. The paper relates that he had trained for the ministry, and in 1556 he and thirteen other Calvinists went to Brazil, at the invitation of Nicolas Durand de Villegagnon, a Catholic who was trying to start a French colony in Brazil.

From the Paper
"Jean de Lery's "History of a Voyage to the Land of Brazil" was published in 1578, and is regarded as one of the great works of early ethnography. As with all other ethnographers, Lery was writing from a particular point of view. In his case, it was that of a French Huguenot, who was living in a time of religious strife in France. He had trained for the ministry, and in 1556 he and thirteen other Calvinists went to Brazil, at the invitation of Nicolas Durand de Villegagnon, a Catholic who was trying to start a French colony in Brazil. After a four month trip by sea, as well as a long voyage by land, Lery's party arrived. Villegagnon greeted them..."

Tags:brazil, lery, history

Abstract
This paper explains that Weber believed that the way of life for Protestants, specifically Calvinism, encouraged the development of western capitalism, which he defined as the pursuit of profit and forever renewed profit. The author points out that Weber identifies two main characteristics of Protestant belief, which encourage the development of Western capitalism: predestination and worldly asceticism. The paper states that Weber indicates that such beliefs create a psychological state of mind, which pressures the Calvinists to lead a successful life, defined in terms of money. The paper relates that some critics argue that it was not religion, which encouraged the development of Western capitalism, but the social exclusion of Protestants from professions; therefore, business offers the Protestants a channel to overcome their persecution. The paper includes quotations.

From the Paper
"Weber found "Occidental" capitalism to be different from the "other" forms in many respects. Firstly, there was a lack of free labor in the "others" system. Secondly, household work and business work were not separated, as in the west. Personnel property was kept apart from corporate property, rational book-keeping techniques were used, and a rational legal and administrative system existed, which Weber believed played a role to limit speculative and opportunistic capitalism. Finally, Weber also acknowledged the role of technical advancement in playing its part to encourage the development of Occidental capitalism."

Tags:predestination, research, calvinism, asceticism, critics

Abstract
This paper touches on a number of critical points with regards to Milton's "Paradise Lost". Included is an explanation of the nature of epic poetry and the subsequent hall marks that such epic's are comprised of. Further, through numerous specific references to the text, the paper explains Milton's own views on predestination and his subsequent rejection of that dogma.

From the Paper
"Adam's ability to contemplate choices requires special attention, because this theme of Milton's is central to an understanding of man's free will. By way of example, an explanation of reason, man's highest faculty, is provided in book five. Milton, via Satan, supplies Eve with a disturbing dream (4.800-809). Following Eve's recounting of this dream to Adam the following morning (5.35-94), comes an explanation of the separate faculty of reason, and its interrelated expression of free will (5.95-121). To summarize: we are not responsible for the evil that passes through our minds as long as our reason rejects it. Man's many faculties (imagination, fancy, etc.) are subservient to reason."

Tags:adam, eve, satan

Abstract
This paper explores the construction and meaning of Mary Rowlandson's famous Captivity Narrative, first published in 1682 which tells how she was held captive during King Philip's War of 1675 by Algonquin Indians. The author explains how her autobiographical narrative reveals her religious fervor and struggles, within the context of New England Puritan thought. Within this paper on the Captivity Narrative, there is an analysis of Calvinist thought, and insight into White New Englander prejudices against the Algonquin Indians, and how those prejudices were influenced by a loathing of the Catholic Church.

From the Paper
Mary Rowlandson was captured by the Indians from her home in Lancaster, Massachusetts, during King Philip's War of 1675. She wrote a narrative about her captivity and "restoration"; which was so widely read that its popularity lasted for another century and more, after its first publication in 1682. Rowlandson's captivity narrative was reissued in Boston in 1770, 1771, and 1773, and it was also released many more times in various colonies and states during the 19th century. (Slotkin: 1973, p. 96). Thus it became one of the most representative documents by which white New Englanders remembered King Philip's War. But just how representative was Rowlandson's narrative, when it came to the realities of the conflict, on both sides, Puritan and Indian? Having been trapped in the wilderness as a prisoner of war, and surviving, Mary Rowlandson saw herself as spiritually renewed and redeemed. While many of the events in her account are probably true, her narrative is still somewhat mythical and shaped, both consciously and unconsciously, to fit her religious and cultural ideals.

Tags:algonquin, calvinist, captivity, england, king, new, philip, puritan, rowlandson, war