A system of Christian theology based on the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizing God's sovereignty and predestination.
From Calvin (16th-century reformer) plus -ism (a suffix denoting a system, doctrine, or practice). The movement crystallized during the Protestant Reformation as an alternative to both Catholicism and Lutheranism.
Calvinism became incredibly influential among Scottish, Dutch, and Swiss communities, and later shaped American Puritanism—the idea of hard work as a sign of God's favor actually came from Calvinist theology, influencing how Western cultures developed their attitudes toward work and success.
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