What is Calvinism:

It is a series of theological beliefs first promoted by John Calvin (1509-1564),

one of the leaders of the Protestant reformation. They were affirmed by
the Synod of Dordt (1618-1619 CE) as being the doctrine of salvation which is
contained in the Bible. It laid the foundation for Reformed Theology.
Calvinism is often summarized by The Five Points of Calvinism, which are easy
to recall by using the acrostic "TULIP"
Calvinism is a set of highly logical and interconnected beliefs that influences
many denominational creeds and confessions of faith. It attempts to explain
man's basis for salvation through the sovereignty of God and affects almost all
aspects of one's beliefs, morals, and behavior. Since it is so far reaching and
widely accepted, it is inherently important that we examine this doctrine, even if
in brief.
Very few doctrines are more pervasive in modern churches and theology than
Calvinism. Although not modern by any means, this doctrine is recognized by its
most successful proponent, John Calvin (1509-1564). A Frenchman and church
reformer, Calvin formalized these doctrines in his Institutes of Christian
Religion, first published in 1536, at the age of 27. Contemporary with Martin
Luther, Calvin's work quickly became associated with many of the reformed
churches of his day and remains even today in many of the denominational
creeds and confessions of faith, especially the Presbyterian and Reformed
Churches.
Definition:
Calvinism is the Protestant theological system designed by John Calvin (1509-1564).
John Calvin (Jean Cauvin in French) was an important figure in the Protestant
Reformation and created in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, a theocratic state ruled
entirely by his own ideas of what a Christian state should be. One of the most
influential of modern Calvinist theologians has been Karl Barth (1886-1968).
Theology:
Calvinist theology is often labeled "federal" or "covenental." According to this
perspective, God has made to agreements or covenants with humanity, both of which
are important when it comes to understanding human history. The first was the
coventant of works, made with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is called a
covenant of works because it was based upon behavior - Adam and Eve adhered to
the agreement so long as they refrained from on particular action: eating the fruit of
a particular tree. Nothing else was forbidden.
Unfortunately for Adam and Eve, they didn't obey this one command and so "fell,"
being subject now to disease and death. God, however, took pity on them and so
entered into a new covenant with humanity. This time it wasn't based upon
obedience because that is simply beyond humans; instead, the new covenant is
based upon confessing their faults and having faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the relationship between man

and experience, particularly love, God, and beauty. Metaphysical
poems are lyrics poems and tend to be romantic and concerning the
nature of sensual experiences, far-fetched imagery and theological
concepts, however they may also include lyrics about art and learning.
These lyrics tend to investigate the world not by mysticism or intuition,
but rather rational discussion with subtle arguments.
Metaphysical poetry can be characterized by its abundance of
intellectual wit, irony and unusual metaphors, yet intricacy, complexity
and ultimately its inventiveness of metaphysical conceits. It is often
that poets of metaphysical poetry express several
arguments into their poems, which frequently result in a paradox.
Frequently, the last two lines of metaphysical poems present a final
conceit.
The term, Metaphysical poets was introduced in the seventeenth
century by the poet, Samuel Johnson. This term usually refers to the
work of the poets listed below, however, metaphisical poetry can
also refer to any poetry which discusses metaphysics, a branch of
philosophy.
Neo-Platonism was the major influence for much metaphysical poetry,
such as John Donne. John Donne was one of the most influential
metaphysical poets of his time. Many of his lyrics are concerned with
spirituality, which he expressed a personal interest for.
Metaphysical poets:
John Donne (15721631)
Saint Robert Southwell (c. 15611595)
Richard Crashaw (c. 16131649)
Andrew Marvell (16211678)
Henry Vaughan (16221695)
Thomas Traherne (1636 or 1637 1674)
George Herbert (15931633)

What is Transcendentalism?

The Transcendentalists can be understood in one sense by their context -- by

what they were rebelling against, what they saw as the current situation and
therefore as what they were trying to be different from.
One way to look at the Transcendentalists is to see them as a generation of well
educated people who lived in the decades before the American Civil War and the
national division that it both reflected and helped to create. These people, mostly
New Englanders, mostly around Boston, were attempting to create a uniquely
American body of literature. It was already decades since the Americans had won
independence from England. Now, these people believed, it was time for literary
independence. And so they deliberately went about creating literature, essays,
novels, philosophy, poetry, and other writing that were clearly different from
anything from England, France, Germany, or any other European nation.
Another way to look at the Transcendentalists is to see them as a generation of
people struggling to define spirituality and religion (our words, not necessarily
theirs) in a way that took into account the new understandings their age made
available.
The new Biblical Criticism in Germany and elsewhere had been looking at the
Christian and Jewish scriptures through the eyes of literary analysis and had
raised questions for some about the old assumptions of religion.