Calvinist spirituality

Calvinistic spirituality is the one form and tradition of spirituality which is not often discussed. In 2009 Calvinists celebrate the 500th birthday of Jean Calvin, the Genevan reformer who had such a huge influence in Switzerland, France, The Netherlands, Scotland, the U.S.A. and South Africa.

Calvinist spritiuality has many forms – a.o. Presbyterian, Reformed, Dutch Reformed and several others. And yet one can say that this spirituality displays certain common characteristics.

There is the conviction that God took the initiative in the divine-human relationship and that God played a decisive role in the salvation of humanity. God does not only begin, but also completes and realizes salvation. Even faith is ultimately a gift of grace from God.

The Latin phrase: “soli Deo gloria” therefor represents one of the fundamental convictions in Calvinism. To God alone belongs the glory and honour for the good that is happening in this world and in humanity.

Calvinism did not lapse into speculative theology. God is consistently seen as a God who reaches out in love to humanity. God desired salvation for humanity.

Closely linked with this is another feature of Calvinist spirituality, namely its awareness of human sinfulness. God plays such a decisive role because of the complete inability and corrupt nature of humanity. In some forms Calvinism would display a dark, somber attitude towards human potential. Salvation as God’s grace is given to humanity. Humanity is totally depraved. The sinfulness of humanity is experienced intensely. In Calvinist worhsip, for example, confession of sin is one of the first elements: one cannot but approach God with a sense of sinfulness and of one's transgressions.

But closely linked with this inner conviction of human sinfulness there is also the firm confession that through Christ alone salvation is granted to humanity. It is a key conviction that confession of sin should always be linked with the celebration of God's grace and forgiveness as they were expressed in the life and ministry of Jesus. Reconciliation takes place between God and humanity exclusively through Christ. Through faith in Christ the power of sin is broken and humanity is given a new status.

With that one is brought to Calvinist perspective on the Holy Spiritu. Those who have received forgiveness of sin, has to live a life of gratitude. Through the Holy Spirit humanity is empowered to serve God – not only in its personal life, but in all relationships.

It is this life of gratitude, the challenge to respond to God’s love and grace in Christ, which is a seminal aspect of Calvinist spirituality. What one believes, should be lived. There is no interiority without exteriority. Calvinism is about doing, making a difference, living faith.


These are a few introductory remarks. It will be worthwhile to develop some of them in more detail. In short then, like all forms of Spirituality, Calvinist spirituality speaks about the relationship of God with humanity. Typical is that the transformation that happens in this relationship is completely and totally God's work. Humanity can only respond in gratitude to the divine intervention and action - and even this response is a matter of grace. Finally, it is typical of Calvinist sprituality that it emphasizes that faith must be experienced, must be lived in a life of gratitude.And this life of gratitude must be lived in terms of the whole existence of humanity and creation.