WJEC/Eduqas RS for A2/Yr2: Religion and Ethics (DRAFT)

T4 Determinism and free will

As has been noted, Calvin anchored his theory on his belief that scripture was the sole infallible rule of faith ( sola scriptura ). The idea that God alone predestines humanity to salvation was, according to Calvin, clearly highlighted in the following Biblical passages: Ephesians 2:8 ‘For it is by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.’ 1 Peter 2:8 ‘They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.’ Romans 8:29 ‘And those he predestined, he also called: those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified …’ Calvin concluded that the choice for salvation was not a human choice but rather a divine one. This was later reflected in the words of the Westminster Confession of Faith , that God ‘freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass’. The elect and the reprobates, unconditional election Calvin further developed his theory by stating that God made among people two predestined groups: the elect and the reprobates. This view on predestination was later referred to as double predestination. This is because God has actively chosen people into two predestined groups; either for damnation (reprobates) or for salvation (the elect). The elect If a person belonged to the elect then they have been chosen by God to have their sins forgiven, through the sacrifice and atonement associated with the death of Jesus Christ. The person has done nothing to deserve this act of mercy; it is a divine mystery why some are chosen and others not. Calvin argued that nobody could know for sure which group they belonged to because of the Godly mysterious basis of predestination. However, he did argue it was possible for the elect to guess, or be aware of, their status as an elect. The first and most important indicator of election is what Calvin called ‘the calling of God’. What Calvin meant by this is that the person will have an inward certainty that God has chosen them for salvation. Moreover, Calvin believed the elect would generally show traits of being elect, such as they would be hard-working, honest, etc., partially reflecting their Godly status. However, Calvin did state that the elect could still be sinful, but God predestines them to have faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when they sinned they could not resist the calling on their lives to seek forgiveness. It was because of Jesus’ atonement that the elect were forgiven and at death received salvation. The reprobates The reprobates also appear to be chosen by God. Calvin believed that the reprobates were more likely to show traits of why they will remain unsaved after death. For Calvin, such traits included laziness and drunkenness. At the end of their lives they would go to hell; there was nothing they could have done about it in their lifetime. The reprobates could still do some acts of moral goodness but, according to Calvin, will ultimately fall prey to sin. However, the reprobates will be

Key terms Atonement: Christian doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, accomplished through the life, suffering and death of Christ Sola scriptura: Latin phrase meaning scripture alone; highlights the theological idea that Christian scriptures are the sole infallible rule of faith Westminster Confession of Faith: a confession of faith drawn up in 1646 by the Church of England

Specification content John Calvin: Doctrine of Election: the elect and the reprobates, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and perseverance of the elect.

DRAFT

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