NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The debate over the Christian concept of Calvinism is about 500 years old. That's not stopping it from causing division in the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

Calvinism is named for the 16th-century theologian John Calvin. Among other things, it teaches that Jesus died only for those who have been elected by God for salvation. That idea does not sit well with many Southern Baptists, who believe Jesus died for the whole world.

Some Calvinists believe that professors on their side have been forced out of positions at seminaries controlled by the Southern Baptist Convention.

Convention leaders say there is room for both sides and recently issued a statement trying to unite the factions ahead of their annual meeting next week in Texas.