3 Describe the Calvinists' society and explain how they differed from Lutherans?

Answer 1

Calvinists were very different than Lutherans in many ways, despite their similar stories of breaking away from the Catholic church. Firstly, Lutherans did not and do not believe in predestination, the idea that every person has already been destined to go to heaven or to hell when they die. Calvinists believed that people's fates have already been set.

Secondly, the Calvinists believed that the bread and wine of the Sacrament of Holy Communion was a representation of Jesus' body and blood, whereas Lutherans believed that the body and blood was actually there, not in a literal way, but a very spiritual one. This was a huge point of contention between the two that ultimately stopped them from joining into one branch.

Thirdly, most Calvinists believed that joy in this life was merely a distraction from the heavenly afterlife, and that frivolity should be avoided at all costs. Luther, meanwhile, taught that men should enjoy life as a gift.