Crypto-Calvinism

The Kryptocalvinismus is a derogatory name for supporters of Calvinism in orthodox Lutheran territories in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Where he recognized also the Princely House and became the dominant religion, he described himself as a Reformed Church (eg in Brandenburg). Since Calvinism was not recognized in Germany as the official religion before 1648, tried some princes also Calvinism to practice at this time so that he was still with the Lutheran doctrine as it had been held in the Peace of Augsburg of 1555, certified as compliant (for example in the Palatinate in Heidelberg Catechism ).

Theologically, the dispute flared up especially on the question of the Lord's Supper. While the Lutherans of the real presence of the body and blood of Christ went out into wine and bread, the followers of Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin argued, bread and wine are only signs of the body and blood. Even Melanchthon was inclined against the Lutheran doctrine rather to Zwingli 's understanding of the Lord's Supper and was therefore attacked violently.

Most famous Kryptocalvinist was the Saxon Chancellor Dr. Nikolaus Krell, who was executed for the October 9, 1601 in Dresden, at the instigation of the Lutheran orthodoxy by the sword. Caspar Peucer has also been referred to by her as Kryptocalvinist.