How much do you know about Calvinism?

Why not test yourself with these four questions? They are all straightforward--no intentionally tricky questions.

 

Just a wee bit testy, are we?

Of course, if you think you are learning too much in this forum, you can always try Bible Versions and Translations.

 

Hey all,

I will post an answer key tomorrow or Friday. I'm sure you can't wait.....

 

So, here are the answers:

First question: Correct response is Men condemn themselves when they reject the gospel. Calvinist believe that people are condemned for the sum total of their sins. Rejection of the gospel is a knowing rejection of God, and a sin that is included in the list of sins for which anyone who rejects the gospel will be condemned.

Explanation of wrong answers that had responses:

God saves men without the gospel. Some calvinists do indeed believe that some may be saved without an actual knowledge of the gospel--like infants or young children. The “men” in the answer was intended to imply adult, mentally functioning people. All Calvinists believe that except for certain exceptions (like infants), salvation is through faith in Christ, and having faith in Christ necessitates some understanding of the gospel.

There is no universal offer of the gospel. I’ll quote Dordt for this one, since it saves me writing an explanation; and of course, Dordt is a good systematic explanation of what are called “the five points of Calvinism”:

Second question: Correct response is All of the above. Calvinists believe working toward the building up of the church is the duty of every believer, and all of the activities listed are means God uses to build His Church. We are to be active participators in the furtherance of the gospel.

Third question: The correct answer is Charles Spurgeon affirmed limited atonement as historically explained by the Calvinists. The easiest way to show this might be to show Spurgeon's explanation beside that of the Canons of Dordt.

On the sufficiency, value, or merit of the atonement:

Spurgeon:

Dordt:

On the purpose or intent of the atonement:

Spurgeon:

Dordt:

Explanation of wrong answers that had responses:

John Calvin made no mention of God's love toward the lost in his Institutes. One quote should suffice:

Hypercalvinist is another name for a five point Calvinist. Although some people use this term this way, it does have a precise theological definition, and “five point Calvinist” is not it. It is a system of theology that stresses the sovereignty of God by minimizing human responsibility, and thus denies that the gospel message includes any sincere offer of mercy to sinners in general.

Fourth question: Correct response is None of the above. Calvinists believe that regeneration is a work of the Holy Spirit by which we are made new or born again. This work of regeneration results in our faith, and through that faith we are justified. (Sorry that the wording of this question was so convoluted. If I had it to do over again, I’d word it differently.)

Fifth question: Well, of course, I think the correct response is A Calvinist. You are allowed to disagree. (And I do know how to spell “biblicist”.)

Any comments? questions?