Who developed the Christian theology known as Calvinism?

Calvinism is a branch of Protestant theology that was developed by John Calvin during the Reformation in the 16th century. Calvin's ideas emphasized the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the necessity of grace through faith. One of the key elements of Calvinism is the doctrine of predestination, which asserts that God has already chosen those who will be saved. This set of beliefs became foundational for various Reformed churches and has had a lasting impact on Protestant thought.

In contrast to Calvin, Martin Luther, while also a central figure in the Reformation, focused on the doctrine of justification by faith alone and did not develop the specific theological framework that defines Calvinism. Jonathan Edwards, being a later theologian, is more associated with the Great Awakening in America and his own interpretations of Calvinist theology, rather than its original development. Zwingli was contemporary with Luther and Calvin but had a different theological emphasis and did not create Calvinism. Thus, John Calvin is the key figure known for developing the distinct principles that define this theological tradition.