From the beginning, with Zwingli and Calvin, a group of non-Catholics has pretended to be almost Lutheran. We would be succumbing to their chameleon-like poses if we called them Protestants, because the Lutherans were first called that at the Speier Conference, 1529.
From this protest and appeal the Lutherans were called Protestants; with good reason, if we look at their attitude to Rome, which remains the same to this day.Luther preferred to call his group the Evangelicals, but that name was also nicked by the Calvinists.
They would like us to believe that the Lutherans are too Roman to be called Protestant or Evangelical, because - like mercury adhering to gold and silver - they want to be associated with the Reformation. Their earnest desire is to sell their books and programs to the Lutherans without being "infected" (they would say) by the efficacy of the Word, the Means of Grace, and Justification by Faith. If that resistance to Biblical basics reminds you of Lutheran leadership today, you are catching on.
Do Calvinists teach the Sacraments?
No, they do not. The Sacraments are merely ordinances, symbols that do not work God's will, since the Holy Spirit is independent of the Word.
Do Calvinists agree with the Bible and Luther on predestination?
No, they teach people as being born elect or born to the covenant, since their salvation was determined at the beginning of time.
Do Calvinists teach Justification by Faith?
No, their peculiar anti-Biblical separation of the Word from the Spirit fills the void, they think, with double predestination. Robert Preus went to the Calvinists to prop us his Objective Justification arguments, according to David Scaer.
How does one cooperate with Calvinists?
Lutherans are free to deny the efficacy of the Word, the Means of Grace, infant faith, the Real Presence, and Justification by Faith, because these doctrinal points annoy Calvinists and prevent what they consider true fellowship with Lutherans. Calvinists will cease being scandalized by Biblical, Lutheran doctrine when their demands are met. And they are largely met today.
Do Calvinists eventually become Lutherans?
No, they turn into Unitarians, because rationalism supplants Biblical faith.
Is there anything we admire about the Calvinists?
We admire everything about the Calvinists - except their doctrine. (Krauth)
