The 10th section of the doctrinal survey for Advent Christian pastors considered beliefs related to primarily to soteriology as represented by Arminianism and Calvinism.
Regarding the first question – Do you believe that God’s grace is resistible or irresistible? – 53 (49.5%) of respondents believe that resisting God’s grace is possible. Forty-eight (44.9%) believe God’s grace is irresistible and six (5.6%) were unsure.
The next question was “Do you believe in unconditional election, that God chooses who will be saved regardless of individual merit or action?” Fifty-two (49.1%) of respondents believe in unconditional election while 44 (41.5%) believe God’s election is based on foreseen faith or other conditions. Ten (9.4%) were unsure.
Regarding the question “Do you believe that Christ’s atonement was limited to the elect or universal for all people?” 68 (63.6%) of pastors believe in unlimited atonement, that is that Christ’s atonement was for all people, though not all will be saved.Thirty-six (33.6%) selected “I believe in limited atonement — Christ’s atonement was only for the elect.” Three (2.8%) were unsure.
“Do you believe that the ability to respond to the gospel is entirely dependent on God’s grace, or that humans have free will to choose salvation?” was the fourth question. Fifty-eight (54.7%) of pastors believe that “humans have free will to accept or reject the gospel.” Forty-six (43.4%) hold the conviction that “the ability to respond to the gospel is solely dependent on God’s grace.” Two (1.9%) were unsure.
Sixty-eight (63.6%) of respondents chose “I believe in the preservation of the saints — those who are truly saved will remain save” in response to the question “Do you believe in the preservation of the saints, that those who are truly saved will remain saved until the end, or that salvation can be lost through apostasy?” Thirty-five (32.7%) selected “I believe salvation can be lost through apostasy — true believers can fall away,” while four (3.7%) were unsure.
Regarding the question “Do you believe that God’s election is based on his will and purpose alone, or on his foreknowledge of who will choose him?” 57 (54.8%) believe “God’s election is based on his will and purpose alone.” Thirty-nine (37.5%) hold the conviction that “God’s election is based on his foreknowledge of who will choose him” while eight (7.7%) people were unsure.
In answering the question “Do you believe that the grace of God enables everyone to be saved if they choose to, or that only the elect can respond to God’s grace?” 62 (57.9%) of pastors chose “I believe God’s grace enables everyone to choose salvation.” “I believe God’s grace is effective only for the elect” was selected by 41 (38.3%) of pastors and four (3.7%) were unsure.
“I believe in total depravity, where all people are spiritually dead and incapable of responding to God without divine intervention” was selected by 61 (58.1%) of pastors in response to the question “How do you view the concept of total depravity (the fallen state of humanity)?” “I believe in total depravity, but humans can still respond to God’s grace with the help of prevenient grace” was chosen by 37 (35.2%) of survey takers and seven (6.7%) were unsure.
The final question in this section was “Do you believe that God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are in conflict, or can they coexist?” Sixty-six (61.7%) hold the conviction that “human free will and God’s sovereignty are in harmony, with humans being responsible for their choices.” Thirty-six (33.6%) believe “God’s sovereignty determines all things, and human freedom and responsibility are part of God’s plan.” Five (4.7%) respondents were unsure.
10 Responses
The inconsistency in these answers saddens me. There seems to be a void in theological coherence.
I had the same observation concerning the inconsistency.
I also felt that the first question was unfortunately worded, based on the much older unfortunate wording we inherited in the classic version of the “TULIP.” John Piper, clearly the Calvinist’s Calvinist, put it this way (my paraphrase from memory, not a direct quote), “Can grace be resisted? Of course it can! People resist grace every day. The real question is…Can God overcome this resistance?”
It is the essence of total depravity to resist grace and the essence of grace to overcome the natural resistance of fallen human nature. Amazing indeed!
I strongly agree with Erik!
54.7% of our Pastors believe that humans have (libertarian) free will to accept or reject the Gospel. Whereas 58.1 % believe in total depravity! This is indeed theological incoherence. It is seen in the other responses as well. If our pastors are not thinking clearly and consistently on these important theological and practical matters what is the true state of our churches?
Part of me wonders, “Where does the rubber meet the road in a substantive manner?” What meaningful practical use of this survey will be employed? We gather the data, disseminate it, and some (a few?) perhaps read/discuss it. Then what?
My understanding is that this study will be used in a graduate-level thesis for someone currently in seminary, although I don’t know who is doing this. On a broader level, those of us who are in leadership at conference, regional and national levels can use this date in a variety of ways.
I’m the chair of my conference’s ministerial committee, and I think this survey could be very helpful both for new pastors, to learn where they land in the big tent, and for currently serving pastors as well.
This survey identifies areas where there is unity among our pastors, and areas with diverse beliefs. For the staff of MTI, it could be used to assess doctrinal points that need some clarity. Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head.
Pardon me for being the proverbial ray of sun amongst the rainclouds, but I was actually somewhat encouraged by the inconsistency. For example, I think the fact that over 60% believe in perseverance of the saints is a very good thing, even if it’s inconsistent with some of the other questions. I would rather have an inconsistent acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty in salvation than a consistent denial of it.
Also, though I am VERY grateful to the denomination for writing and disseminating this survey (emphasis on the “VERY”!), I do feel that this section may have lent itself to some confusion, which may account for some of the inconsistency. For example, on the last question about sovereignty and free will, I could have easily affirmed both of the answers.
All in all, I am glad that the denomination has taken these efforts, I’m glad that so many pastors participated, and although there were some results I found disturbing, on the whole I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of agreement on some key theological questions.
My concern regarding the inconsistency stems from the conclusion I’ve drawn from this data. To use your example of God’s sovereignty, would I rather a pastor reject that God is sovereign (assuming he’s consistent) or hold to God’s sovereignty (inconsistently)? If one is inconsistent in these matters, then it’s likely:
1. They haven’t studied these things personally and have adopted pop theology.
2. Their teaching is inconsistent, which confuses their congregation.
3. They lack familiarity in a field that their congregation and peers expect them to at least have an above-average knowledge of. Example: It’s a reasonable expectation for an MD to know how vaccines work, even if their specialty is cardiology. It’s reasonable to expect a pastor to know fundamental theology, even if their specialty is counseling.
Although I appreciate your cheery outlook, Luke, I maintain my concerns that a significant segment of AC pastors needs further theological training. When a church member comes to the person they trust most with their spiritual growth and asks how they can continue in sin even though they are indwelt by the Spirit, they deserve coherent biblical answers.
My surprise was the percentage that were unsure on every question.
Point well taken.
I wonder if this is a common occurrence from a localized governmental system? I am not advocating for anything, however, I do not believe you would find this level of inconsistency among the answers of pastor’s belonging to a centralerlized government denomination.
I also agree with Erik, there should not be this level of contradiction in the answers.