Question 78

John Calvin was a major advocate of the doctrine of predestination.

Predestination is a theological concept that John Calvin strongly supported, asserting that God has predetermined who will be saved and who will be damned. This doctrine is central to Calvinist theology and distinguishes it from other Christian beliefs.

A) indulgences

Indulgences refer to the practice within the Catholic Church of granting remission of the temporal punishment due for sins. Calvin opposed this practice, arguing against the notion that one could buy their way into heaven or reduce their time in purgatory, making this option incorrect.

B) predestination

Predestination accurately describes Calvin's theological stance, positing that God has already chosen who will attain salvation. This belief is foundational to Calvinism and emphasizes God's sovereignty over human fate, making this option correct.

C) papal infallibility

Papal infallibility is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church stating that the Pope is incapable of error in matters of doctrine. Calvin rejected papal authority and infallibility, making this option incorrect in the context of his beliefs.

D) clerical celibacy

Clerical celibacy refers to the requirement for Roman Catholic clergy to remain unmarried. Calvin did not advocate for this practice, and in fact, promoted the idea that clergy could marry, thus making this option incorrect.

E) Unitarianism

Unitarianism is a theological belief that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. While Calvin's views were distinctly Christian, they were not aligned with Unitarianism, which diverges significantly from his teachings on the nature of God, making this option incorrect.

Conclusion

The correct answer, predestination, is a fundamental aspect of Calvinist doctrine that highlights God's absolute authority in matters of salvation. Other options either contradict Calvin's beliefs or represent practices and doctrines he opposed, reinforcing the distinction and significance of his theological contributions.