Is Calvinism a heresy?

[Xeno.of.athens]

The Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism, a theology developed by John Calvin in the 16th century, to be heretical. However, it does disagree with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination, the doctrine that God predestines some individuals to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation. The Catholic Church teaches that God desires the salvation of all humanity, and that every person has the free will to accept or reject God's grace.

The Catholic Church also disagree with the beliefs of the "Limited atonement" which is the belief that Jesus died only for the elect. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus died for all humanity, and that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for the salvation of all people.

In summary, while the Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism to be heretical, it disagrees with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination and limited atonement.

 

[atpollard]

Picking a nit:

Calvinism was not developed by John Calvin (who did not personally embrace Limited atonement as a biblical dogma). The Synod of Dort, where the 5 articles of the Remonstrances were responded to, would be a better claimant for the ‘source’ of so-called “5-point Calvinism”.

 

[FenderTL5]

The Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism, a theology developed by John Calvin in the 16th century, to be heretical. However, it does disagree with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination, the doctrine that God predestines some individuals to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation. The Catholic Church teaches that God desires the salvation of all humanity, and that every person has the free will to accept or reject God's grace.

The Catholic Church also disagree with the beliefs of the "Limited atonement" which is the belief that Jesus died only for the elect. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus died for all humanity, and that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for the salvation of all people.

In summary, while the Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism to be heretical, it disagrees with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination and limited atonement.

Orthodoxy doesn't count Calvin/Calvinism among the heretics either. Then again, Orthodoxy doesn't make that claim of anyone outside of the Church. For us, it's heterodox.
That said, if we are addressing 5 point "TULIP" Calvinism, all five points are contrary to Orthodoxy, some points more egregious than others.

 

[RileyG]

I do not accept TULIP and believe those beliefs to be unorthodox, and even heretical IMO. It makes God look like an angry parent that wants to punish us. Calvinists are our separated brethren and should be treated with deep dignity and respect as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[Clare73]

The Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism, a theology developed by John Calvin in the 16th century, to be heretical. However, it does disagree with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination, the doctrine that God predestines some individuals to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation. The Catholic Church teaches that God desires the salvation of all humanity, and that every person has the free will to accept or reject God's grace.

The Catholic Church also disagree with the beliefs of the "Limited atonement" which is the belief that Jesus died only for the elect. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus died for all humanity, and that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for the salvation of all people.

In summary, while the Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism to be heretical, it disagrees with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination and limited atonement.

Define Calvinism. . .

 

[Ceallaigh]

I'm not a fan of it.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Define Calvinism. . .

Calvinism is a branch of Protestant Christianity that originated in the 16th century, named after John Calvin, and is characterized by its emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the importance of grace and predestination. It teaches that God predestines some individuals to salvation and others to damnation, and that this decision is made before a person is born and cannot be changed. It also teaches that the only way to be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ, and that good works have no role in salvation.

The Catholic Church has a different understanding of salvation and the role of grace and faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God's grace is necessary for salvation and that it is offered to all people. It states that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation, but it also affirms that good works and obedience to God's commandments also play an important role in salvation. It teaches that salvation is not only a gift of God but also a task to be achieved by the believer, who is responsible for his or her own salvation.

In terms of predestination, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God has predestined no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the scriptures, it is stated that God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4), and that his will is for everyone to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and that God does not desire that anyone should perish (2 Pet 3:9).

In summary, Calvinism and Catholic Church have different understanding of predestination, grace and the role of faith and good works in salvation. While the Catholic Church teaches that God's grace is necessary for salvation and that it is offered to all people, Calvinism teaches that God predestines some individuals to salvation and others to damnation and that only faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation, good works have no role in salvation.

 

[BobRyan]

The Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism, a theology developed by John Calvin in the 16th century, to be heretical. However, it does disagree with certain aspects of Calvinist theology,

I see... so the Catholic church did not declare the teaching of John Calvin to be heresy??

John Calvin and Calvinism Refuted - The Beliefs, History and Facts

FREE DVDS & BOOKS:

www.catholic-saints.net

Heresies claimed to be condemned in the Catholic Church --

List of heresies in the Catholic Church - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Protestant groups display a wide variety of different doctrines. However, the early Reformers all stressed the five solae (1) Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone"); the conviction that only the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments should be used to form doctrine, in contradistinction to the Catholic view that both Scripture and the magisterium of the Church set dogma. (2) Sola fide ("by faith alone"); the conviction that believers are justified by faith in Christ alone, rather than faith in Christ and good works. (3) Sola gratia ("by grace alone"); the conviction that believers are saved by God's grace alone, and not by human works. (4) Solus Christus ("by Christ alone"); the conviction that the work of salvation is entirely the work of God through the mediatorial work of Christ alone. (5) Soli Deo gloria ("for God's glory alone"); the conviction that the work of salvation is entirely for God's glory alone.[44][45]

particularly the belief in double predestination, the doctrine that God predestines some individuals to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation.

I agree that is an incorrect teaching

The Catholic Church teaches that God desires the salvation of all humanity, and that every person has the free will to accept or reject God's grace.

Agreed. So say we all "at least all Arminians"

The Catholic Church also disagree with the beliefs of the "Limited atonement" which is the belief that Jesus died only for the elect.

Agreed that teaching is incorrect.

The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus died for all humanity, and that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for the salvation of all people.

Agreed that is what 1 John 2:2 says

 

[Jonaitis]

Picking a nit:

Calvinism was not developed by John Calvin (who did not personally embrace Limited atonement as a biblical dogma). The Synod of Dort, where the 5 articles of the Remonstrances were responded to, would be a better claimant for the ‘source’ of so-called “5-point Calvinism”.

You're correct that the Doctrines of Grace were not fully articulated until the Synod of Dort. Calvin discusses them in length throughout his commentaries and Institutes, but they were not outlined in the main five points as they were understood posthumously. It is similar to saying that the doctrine of Original Sin was discussed by Paul the apostle, but not yet fully articulated theologically until Augustine. Or, the doctrine of Substitutionary Atonement. However, it does not mean that Calvin did not teach them or expound on them, as they are plainly understood in all his writings.

 

[zippy2006]

The Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism, a theology developed by John Calvin in the 16th century, to be heretical. However, it does disagree with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination, the doctrine that God predestines some individuals to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation. The Catholic Church teaches that God desires the salvation of all humanity, and that every person has the free will to accept or reject God's grace.

The Catholic Church also disagree with the beliefs of the "Limited atonement" which is the belief that Jesus died only for the elect. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus died for all humanity, and that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for the salvation of all people.

In summary, while the Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism to be heretical, it disagrees with certain aspects of Calvinist theology, particularly the belief in double predestination and limited atonement.

I would say that you are mistaken, and that Catholicism does consider Calvinism to be a heresy which falls under the condemnation of Cornelius Jansen's Augustinus. It is widely recognized in Catholic circles that double predestination and other similar ideas attached to Jansen's movement are heretical. 5-point Calvinists surely fall under this condemnation.

Whether there are condemnations which specifically target Calvinism or Calvinists, I am unsure. We do see Pope Benedict XIV affirm in passing the idea that Calvinists are even more heretical than Jansenists, which is in no way a controversial opinion:

Not long after Benedict XIV wrote as follows (in the year 1748) to the Supreme Inquisitor of Spain: "You know that there are manifold opinions in the schools on the famous questions about predestination and grace, and on the manner of reconciling human liberty with the omnipotence of God. The Thomists are proclaimed destroyers of human liberty and as followers, not to say of Jansenism but even of Calvinism; but, since they meet the charges with eminent satisfaction, and since their opinion has never been condemned by the Holy See, the Thomists carry on with impunity in this matter..."​

​

-Denzinger, footnote to 1090​

 

[zippy2006]

The Catholic Church does not consider Calvinism, a theology developed by John Calvin in the 16th century, to be heretical.

Here is a helpful article: Calvinism | Catholic Answers

Here are some excerpts, but those interested should also look at the context for more information:

What [Calvin] rejected was the Catholic notion of the self-determining second cause. Neither would he allow the doctrine laid down by the Fathers of Trent (Secs. VI, Canon 16), that God permits evil deeds, but is not their author.​

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...the Church condemns those who say [...] “Free Will not aided by God‘s grace, avails only to commit sin”, and “God could not have created man at the beginning such as he is now born” (Prop. 27, censured by St. Pius V, October, 1567).​

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Hence the Council of Trent declares [contrary to Calvin] (Seas. VI) that Christ died for all men; it condemns (Canon XVII) the main propositions of Geneva, that “the grace of justification comes only to the predestinate”, and that “the others who are called receive an invitation but no grace, being doomed by the Divine power to evil.” So Innocent X proscribed in Jansenius the statement: “It is Semipelagian to affirm that Christ died for all men or shed his blood in their behalf.” In like manner Trent rejected the definition of faith as “confidence in being justified without merit”; grace was not “the feeling of love”, nor was justification the “forgiveness of sin”; and apart from a special revelation no man could be infallibly sure that he was saved.​

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The Council of Trent had already censured these [Calvinistic] axioms by asserting that God does not command impossibilities, and that His children keep His word. Innocent X did the like when he proscribed as heretical the fifth proposition of Jansenius, “Some commandments of God are impossible to the just who will and endeavor; nor is the grace by which they should become possible given to them.”​

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I would say that you are mistaken, and that Catholicism does consider Calvinism to be a heresy which falls under the condemnation of Cornelius Jansen's Augustinus. It is widely recognized in Catholic circles that double predestination and other similar ideas attached to Jansen's movement are heretical. 5-point Calvinists surely fall under this condemnation.

Whether there are condemnations which specifically target Calvinism or Calvinists, I am unsure. We do see Pope Benedict XIV affirm in passing the idea that Calvinists are even more heretical than Jansenists, which is in no way a controversial opinion:

Not long after Benedict XIV wrote as follows (in the year 1748) to the Supreme Inquisitor of Spain: "You know that there are manifold opinions in the schools on the famous questions about predestination and grace, and on the manner of reconciling human liberty with the omnipotence of God. The Thomists are proclaimed destroyers of human liberty and as followers, not to say of Jansenism but even of Calvinism; but, since they meet the charges with eminent satisfaction, and since their opinion has never been condemned by the Holy See, the Thomists carry on with impunity in this matter..."​

​

-Denzinger, footnote to 1090​

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that the teachings of John Calvin and the Calvinist tradition, also known as Reformed theology, contain elements that are incompatible with Catholic doctrine.

CCC 819 states "The Church cannot admit to the sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance those who 'obstinately persist in manifest grave sin'" CCC 891 states "The Church's relationship with the Muslims. 'The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day'" CCC 1033 states "The Church teaches that Christ is present in the sacrament of the Eucharist 'in a true, real, and substantial way, with his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity' and that 'the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained'."

CCC also states that Calvinism's understanding of predestination, in which some people are predestined for salvation and others for damnation, is incompatible with Catholic teaching on the power of God's grace to overcome sin and the freedom of human beings to accept or reject that grace.

CCC 1714 states "To God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When therefore he establishes his eternal plan of 'predestination,' he includes in it each person's free response to his grace: 'In this city, in fact, both Jews and converts to Judaism begged him to stay with them, but he decided to leave for the nearby villages instead, so that he could proclaim the message there also. He did this, in fact, in many places throughout the region.' To God, all things are present in their entirety, but when he establishes his plan of 'predestination,' he does not predetermine a certain category of people. Rather, he includes in his plan every person, whole and entire, with all his past, present, and future."

 

[zippy2006]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that the teachings of John Calvin and the Calvinist tradition, also known as Reformed theology, contain elements that are incompatible with Catholic doctrine.

Let me just point out a few relevant things:

• None of the quotes you provide from the Catechism mention Calvin or Calvinism
• Everything I said above holds true, and I gave three concrete condemnations of Calvinist doctrine. There are many parts of Calvinism that Catholicism therefore deems heretical, and others which are merely false, offensive to pious ears, etc.
• Even if the Catechism did single out Calvinism as being "incompatible with Catholicism," this would in no way show that it is not heretical. In fact incompatibility is a prerequisite for heresy.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Let me just point out a few relevant things:

• None of the quotes you provide from the Catechism mention Calvin or Calvinism
• Everything I said above holds true, and I gave three concrete condemnations of Calvinist doctrine. There are many parts of Calvinism that Catholicism therefore deems heretical, and others which are merely false, offensive to pious ears, etc.
• Even if the Catechism did single out Calvinism as being "incompatible with Catholicism," this would in no way show that it is not heretical. In fact incompatibility is a prerequisite for heresy.

I provided the quotes to show that Calvinists will be excluded from communion; hardly a surprise. And consequently are in a state of serious sin. But individual Calvinists are not heretics even if some of the doctrines that they believe are heresy or at least serious error.

 

[zippy2006]

I provided the quotes to show that Calvinists will be excluded from communion; hardly a surprise. And consequently are in a state of serious sin. But individual Calvinists are not heretics even if some of the doctrines that they believe are heresy or at least serious error.

According to the 2,000 year tradition of Christianity, the individuals are material heretics until they have a chance to recant or persist. The Calvinistic doctrines (which represent 'Calvinism') are themselves heretical. Your OP talks about Calvinism, not about individual Calvinists. According to Catholicism, Calvinism is a heresy and individuals who believe the heretical doctrines of Calvinism are either material or formal heretics.

I realize none of this is politically correct in our age, but we have to be truthful about what Catholicism teaches. I don't go out of my way to point out that Calvinism is heresy, but I will correct false statements about Catholic teaching.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

According to the 2,000 year tradition of Christianity, the individuals are material heretics until they have a chance to recant or persist. The Calvinistic doctrines (which represent 'Calvinism') are themselves heretical. Your OP talks about Calvinism, not about individual Calvinists. According to Catholicism, Calvinism is a heresy and individuals who believe the heretical doctrines of Calvinism are either material or formal heretics.

I realize none of this is politically correct in our age, but we have to be truthful about what Catholicism teaches. I don't go out of my way to point out that Calvinism is heresy, but I will correct false statements about Catholic teaching.

From a Catholic perspective, Calvinism is considered to be a form of Protestantism and therefore a departure from Catholic teachings. However, the Catholic Church does not officially label Calvinism as a heresy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the word 'heresy' is used in a specific sense to denote the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith" (CCC 2089).

It is important to note that the Catholic Church does not view Protestant denominations, including Calvinism, as heretical in the sense that their members are considered to be outside of the Church and damned. The Catechism states that "the separated churches and communities as such, though we believe them to be deficient in some respects, are yet true churches and communities of Jesus Christ" (CCC 819).

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997), 2089 and 819.

 

[BobRyan]

From a Catholic perspective, Calvinism is considered to be a form of Protestantism and therefore a departure from Catholic teachings.

It labeled Protestantism a heresy

List of heresies in the Catholic Church - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"Protestantism[43]

]

Protestant groups display a wide variety of different doctrines. However, the early Reformers all stressed the five solae (1) Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone"); the conviction that only the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments should be used to form doctrine, in contradistinction to the Catholic view that both Scripture and the magisterium of the Church set dogma. (2) Sola fide ("by faith alone"); the conviction that believers are justified by faith in Christ alone, rather than faith in Christ and good works. (3) Sola gratia ("by grace alone"); the conviction that believers are saved by God's grace alone, and not by human works. (4) Solus Christus ("by Christ alone"); the conviction that the work of salvation is entirely the work of God through the mediatorial work of Christ alone. (5) Soli Deo gloria ("for God's glory alone"); the conviction that the work of salvation is entirely for God's glory alone.[44][45] Some believe the great diversity of Protestant doctrines stems from the doctrine of private judgment, which denies the infallible authority of the Catholic Church and claims that each individual is to interpret Scripture for himself.[46] However, the early Reformers warned against private interpretation, emphasizing, instead, the connection and continuity with the ancient church, and its dogma.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

It labeled Protestantism a heresy

List of heresies in the Catholic Church - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

"

]

Protestant groups display a wide variety of different doctrines. However, the early Reformers all stressed the five solae (1) Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone"); the conviction that only the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments should be used to form doctrine, in contradistinction to the Catholic view that both Scripture and the magisterium of the Church set dogma. (2) Sola fide ("by faith alone"); the conviction that believers are justified by faith in Christ alone, rather than faith in Christ and good works. (3) Sola gratia ("by grace alone"); the conviction that believers are saved by God's grace alone, and not by human works. (4) Solus Christus ("by Christ alone"); the conviction that the work of salvation is entirely the work of God through the mediatorial work of Christ alone. (5) Soli Deo gloria ("for God's glory alone"); the conviction that the work of salvation is entirely for God's glory alone.[44][45] Some believe the great diversity of Protestant doctrines stems from the doctrine of private judgment, which denies the infallible authority of the Catholic Church and claims that each individual is to interpret Scripture for himself.[46] However, the early Reformers warned against private interpretation, emphasizing, instead, the connection and continuity with the ancient church, and its dogma.

The Catholic Church does not officially label Protestantism as a heresy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the word 'heresy' is used in a specific sense to denote the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith" (CCC 2089). While Protestantism is considered to be a departure from traditional Catholic teachings, it is not considered to be a denial of a truth that must be believed with divine and catholic faith.

It is worth noting that the Catholic Church does not view Protestant denominations, including Calvinism, as heretical in the sense that their members are considered to be outside of the Church and damned. The Catechism states that "the separated churches and communities as such, though we believe them to be deficient in some respects, are yet true churches and communities of Jesus Christ" (CCC 819).

It's important to note that the Catholic Church recognizes that the Protestant Reformation was a complex historical event, with different causes and a wide range of movements, and while it has been a source of division between Christians, it also had positive aspects, such as a renewed emphasis on personal faith and the Bible, and therefore, the Catholic Church encourages ecumenical dialogue with the Protestant denominations.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997), 2089 and 819.

 

[BobRyan]

From a Catholic perspective, Calvinism is considered to be a form of Protestantism and therefore a departure from Catholic teachings. However, the Catholic Church does not officially label Calvinism as a heresy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the word 'heresy' is used in a specific sense to denote the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith" (CCC 2089).

John Calvin - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

​

"Young Calvin was particularly precocious. By age 12, he was employed by the bishop as a clerk and received the tonsure, cutting his hair to symbolise his dedication to the Church. He also won the patronage of an influential family, the Montmors.[3] Through their assistance, Calvin was able to attend the Collège de la Marche, Paris, where he learned Latin from one of its greatest teachers, Mathurin Cordier.[4] Once he completed the course, he entered the Collège de Montaigu as a philosophy student.[5]​

​

"In 1525 or 1526, Gérard withdrew his son from the Collège de Montaigu and enrolled him in the University of Orléans to study law. According to contemporary biographers Theodore Beza and Nicolas Colladon, Gérard believed that Calvin would earn more money as a lawyer than as a priest.[6]​

​

So then Calvin starts off as a baptized Catholic and actually trains to be a priest.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the word 'heresy' is used in a specific sense to denote the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith" (CCC 2089).

Anabaptists and Calvinists

The Protestant Reformation started by Martin Luther in Northern Germany spread across Northern Europe for a number of reasons. Many political leaders had long looked for a way to escape the power...

whreformationresearch.weebly.com

"In 1534, because of official persecution, Calvin fled to the Swiss cantons that were tolerant of Protestants. In 1536, he published Institutes of the Christian Religion, which outlined his beliefs on the Protestant faith and on how a Protestant community should be governed."

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

John Calvin - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

​

"Young Calvin was particularly precocious. By age 12, he was employed by the bishop as a clerk and received the tonsure, cutting his hair to symbolise his dedication to the Church. He also won the patronage of an influential family, the Montmors.[3] Through their assistance, Calvin was able to attend the Collège de la Marche, Paris, where he learned Latin from one of its greatest teachers, Mathurin Cordier.[4] Once he completed the course, he entered the Collège de Montaigu as a philosophy student.[5]​

​

"In 1525 or 1526, Gérard withdrew his son from the Collège de Montaigu and enrolled him in the University of Orléans to study law. According to contemporary biographers Theodore Beza and Nicolas Colladon, Gérard believed that Calvin would earn more money as a lawyer than as a priest.[6]​

​

So then Calvin starts off as a baptized Catholic and actually trains to be a priest.

since you're not john calvin his situation is irrelevant to the discussion.