Whose ideas greatly influenced the Protestant churches in France, Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands?

The ideas that greatly influenced the Protestant churches in France, Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands primarily came from John Calvin. Calvin was a French theologian and reformer who lived during the 16th century, and his teachings and writings had a profound impact on the development of the Reformation in these countries.

In France, the Protestant churches that were influenced by Calvin's ideas were known as the Huguenots. In Switzerland, particularly in Geneva, Calvin established a theocratic state and his ideas reformed the church there. The Church of Scotland, which was highly influenced by Calvinistic teachings, adheres to a Presbyterian system of church government as opposed to an Episcopal one due to Calvin’s influence. Finally, in the Netherlands, the Dutch Reformed Church was greatly shaped by Calvinist doctrine.

Calvin's influence spread through his theological teachings, which were distinctly laid out in his seminal work "Institutes of the Christian Religion". He emphasized the sovereignty of God, the doctrine of predestination, and the absolute necessity of grace for salvation. His work also encouraged the idea of a disciplined, moral Christian life and church governance by elders and deacons, which is reflected in the Presbyterian and Reformed traditions that have their roots in his teachings.

Extra: Calvinism is one of the major branches of Protestantism, and it adheres to a theological interpretative tradition that is distinct in its emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the all-encompassing providence of God, and the total depravity of human beings. The Five Points of Calvinism, often remembered by the acronym TULIP, succinctly summarize key Calvinist doctrines: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.

The Reformation was a movement that sought to reform the practices and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century. It led to the creation of numerous different Protestant churches. The Reformation was a complex movement with theological, political, and cultural dimensions, which led to the fragmentation of the Western Church into different branches and a series of religious wars and societal changes throughout Europe. John Calvin, alongside Martin Luther and others, played a significant role in the spread and development of Protestant theology and practice.