Calvinism

Calvinism refers to a particular understanding of the Christian faith and an approach to the Christian life first articulated by the French Protestant theologian, John Calvin (1509-1564). Subsequently, it has been upheld in Protestant Christianity's Reformed tradition by persons such as John Knox (Scotland), John Bunyan (Britain), and Jonathan Edwards (America) (McGrath, 2007).

Calvinism has five basic beliefs: (1) Humanity is totally deprived due to original sin; (2) God unconditionally elected those who will be saved to receive eternal life; (3) Jesus Christ has died for those who were elected by God; (4) The Holy Spirit pours irresistible grace over those saved; and (5) Believers will persevere and are eternally saved in Jesus Christ. For Calvinists, the sovereignty of God reigns over all aspects of a person's life: personal, spiritual, intellectual, political, and economical. Education informed by Calvinist dogma is important as is distinguishing the sacred from the secular