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

WJEC / Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 2 and A2 Religion and Ethics

predestined not to have faith in Christ, therefore their sins will remain with them because they do not seek Christ’s atonement. The reprobate is deaf and blind to the message of the gospel. Therefore, the reprobates remain in sin and thus at death will go to hell. Calvin quotes the Bible to illustrate his elect/reprobates theory: ‘And he (Jesus) said to them “The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables”.’ (Mark 4:11) Calvin accepts that no one can be completely sure whether they are an elect or a reprobate. He thought that the mystery of which predestined group you belonged to would inspire wonder and reverence in believers and argues that this is one of God’s purposes in predestination. Key quote I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love. (Spurgeon) Limited atonement Therefore, according to Calvin, God made a predestined choice for all peoples, before they were even born. Certain people progress to eternal life (the elect) and some to eternal damnation (the reprobates). That number, according to Calvin, is fixed by God from eternity and the person cannot do anything during their lifetime to change it. Calvin saw the main purpose of predestination as the means for God to be glorified. Hence, McGrath argues that for Calvin, predestination was never a central premise but more an ancillary doctrine. For later followers of Calvin this doctrine became more developed and more central. One consequence that resulted was the doctrine of limited atonement. Jesus said in John 10:15 that he laid his life down for the sheep. Furthermore, in John 10:26 Jesus said that people did not believe because they are not his sheep. This implies that if Jesus lays his life down for the sheep and there are people who were not his sheep, then he did not lay his life down for those who are not his sheep. Hence Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save the elect only. Key quote First and last for Calvin, God is not a celestial tyrant but a loving parent who cannot forget her nursing child, and a father who gives good things to his children. (Lindberg) Irresistible grace and perseverance of the elect Later Calvinists also argued that since God has drawn the elect to faith in Christ by regenerating their hearts and convincing them of their sins, then it follows that they will be kept by the same power to the end and so enter heaven. They are eternally saved and kept in faith by the power of God and so persevere to the end. But what of those who profess to be believers but then later fall away? The doctrine maintains that it only applies to those who have a genuine faith in Christ. Those who appear to profess and then fall away are deemed not to have had genuine faith and are therefore not part of the elect. The change of heart that the Holy Spirit makes in regeneration, as well as the indwelling presence of the Spirit in the believer, ensures that the believer will continue to love Christ. It does not suggest they will be perfect in this life. However, it teaches that believers do not strive to keep God’s commands to gain salvation or maintain salvation but rather out of love and gratitude to God.

Key quote The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables. (Jesus in Mark 4:11)

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

DRAFT

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