Not nearly as much as their divergent paths may make you suspect. Luther basically agreed with what Calvin thought about predestination. Calvin thought that Luther was right about the importance of faith over works, but believed that a Christian must live in accord with Christ after their acceptance of faith (whereas Luther merely thought that a Christian who has accepted faith would, through sheer compulsion to share the divine, do good works).
More on the nuances which they actually disagree on can be found at a website I found below:
Martin Luther believed in a separation of church and state. Calvin believed that the church should be the state. Calvin felt that if man had free will, then God was not omnipotent. Martin Luther felt that man could have free will and that did not diminish God's power.
Martin Luther believed in a separation of church and state. Calvin believed that the church should be the state. Calvin felt that if man had free will, then God was not omnipotent. Martin Luther felt that man could have free will and that did not diminish God's power.
John Calvin's beliefs differed from Martin Luther's in several key ways. Calvin emphasized predestination, the idea that God has already chosen who will be saved, while Luther focused more on the individual's faith and relationship with God. Calvin also believed in a strict form of governance within the church, known as Presbyterianism, while Luther advocated for a more decentralized structure. Additionally, Calvin placed a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, while Luther emphasized the importance of faith and grace in salvation.
The core theological difference is Luther believed in salvation by faith alone and the Catholic Church believed in salvation by faith plus works.
Communion
John Calvin and Martin Luther had different theological emphases, particularly regarding predestination and the nature of salvation. Calvin believed in the concept of predestination, asserting that God has already chosen who will be saved and who will be damned, while Luther emphasized justification by faith alone, focusing on individual belief and grace. Additionally, Calvin's views led to a more structured church governance and a significant influence on the development of Reformed theology, whereas Luther's ideas were foundational for the Lutheran tradition and emphasized personal faith and the authority of Scripture. Their differing perspectives shaped the course of the Protestant Reformation in distinct ways.
Lutheran and Presbyterian churches differ primarily in their theological foundations and governance structures. Lutherans adhere to Martin Luther's teachings, emphasizing justification by faith and the sacraments of baptism and communion as means of grace. In contrast, Presbyterians are rooted in John Calvin's teachings, focusing on God's sovereignty and predestination, with a governance system led by elected elders. Additionally, worship styles and liturgical practices can vary significantly between the two traditions.
This is like comparing apples and oranges. Both Calvin and Luther vigorously proclaimed salvation by faith in Christ alone. The doctrine of predestination says that God has chosen the ones who have faith from the beginning of time, and emphasizes that faith and salvation comes from God alone. But again, salvation is by fiath alone, regardless of where it comes from.
Martin Luther believed that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not through good works or the authority of the church. This differed from the prevailing view of his time, which taught that salvation could be earned through good deeds and following the teachings of the church. Luther's beliefs sparked the Protestant Reformation and led to the formation of new Christian denominations.
The Council of Trent affirmed that faith and good works are both necessary for salvation. This differed from the views of Luther and Calvin, who believed in justification by faith alone, without the need for good works. Luther and Calvin emphasized faith as the sole means of salvation, rejecting the idea that good works played a role in justification.
Desiderius Eramsmus was a very important scholar . In 1509he published a book , The Praise of Folly, in which criticized corrupt clergy. Erasmus also wanted to get rid of some church rituals , he emphasized devotion to God and the teachings of Jesus. Martin Luther added his voice to the call for reform. He nailed a list of complaints about the church to the door of a church in Wittenberg in the German state of Saxony. Luther's list of complaints is called the Ninety-Five Theses .
He told them the truth: they were being greedy and almost entirely the opposite of what they should have been as Christian leaders. Nobody likes being told they are wrong, especially when they know it to be true and when people might start to realise and do something about it. In their case, the easiest way out was to simply excommunicate him and denounce him as a heretic, or an evildoer of many types.