How did Luther's beliefs about salvation differ from Calvin's?

The distinction between Luther's beliefs about salvation and Calvin's lies in the concept of predestination versus a faith-and-works approach. Luther primarily emphasized justification by faith alone, asserting that salvation is attainable solely through faith in Jesus Christ, without the necessity of good works contributing to one's earning of salvation. In contrast, Calvin developed the doctrine of predestination, suggesting that God has already determined who will be saved and that this divine choice is not based on individual merit or efforts.

Focusing specifically on good works, it is crucial to note that while both reformers acknowledged that good works would naturally follow from genuine faith, Calvin's theology suggested that they were more clearly linked to evidence of one's salvation. This indicates a nuanced difference; Calvin maintained that while faith is essential, the role of works within the context of one's salvation is more pronounced in his teachings than in Luther's. Thus, this nuanced interpretation of the relationship between faith and works highlights the differences in their theological perspectives.