What is the Difference Between Luther and Calvin?

Martin Luther and John Calvin were both influential figures in the Protestant Reformation, but they had differences in their theologies and views on certain aspects of Christianity. Some key differences between Luther and Calvin include:

1. Justification by faith vs. sovereignty of God: The regnant principle of Luther's theology was justification by faith, while for Calvin, it was the sovereignty of God.
2. Generational difference: Luther belonged to the first generation of the Protestant Reformation, while Calvin was a second-generation Reformer.
3. Background: Luther was a German theologian and Augustinian monk, while Calvin was a French theologian and lawyer.
4. Lord's Supper: Calvin disagreed with Luther about the nature of the Lord's Supper. Calvin did not believe that Christ was literally in the bread, but he also disagreed with some of Luther's opponents who believed that the bread and wine were purely symbolic.
5. Free will and the role of the state: Calvin believed that free will among humans would compromise the omnipotence of God, while Luther believed that the choice of faith could welcome the saving grace of God without compromising. Luther also believed that a separation between church and state was possible and desirable, whereas Calvin advocated a theocracy, so that no state power could claim authority over the church.
6. Sanctification and the role of the local church: Calvin emphasized sanctification (obedience to God and holiness) in the life of the new believer, while Luther's focus was on justification by faith. Calvin also emphasized the role of the local church in regulating and training believers to live according to the teaching of Scripture, which raised issues of discipline within the context of the church and the extent and nature of the authority of local church leadership.
7. Music in worship: Calvin was a proponent of psalmody, which meant that only the biblical psalms were sung in worship. In contrast, Luther wrote hymns and encouraged their use in worship.

In summary, while Luther and Calvin both contributed significantly to the Protestant Reformation, they differed in their theologies and views on certain aspects of Christianity, such as the Lord's Supper, free will, the role of the state, sanctification, and music in worship.

Comparative Table: Luther vs Calvin

Martin Luther and John Calvin were both influential figures in the Protestant Reformation, but they had differences in their theological beliefs. Here are some key differences between the two:

Despite these differences, both Luther and Calvin were committed to the authority of God's Word and the gospel. Their theological beliefs had significant impacts on the development of the Protestant faith and the reformation of the church.