While LifeWay Research found the number of Southern Baptist pastors embracing five-point Calvinism to be relatively small, it is undeniable that the conversations on Calvinism within the Southern Baptist Convention has brought renewed interest to the 400-year-old theological system.
Surveying 413 pastors, the July/August 2006 LifeWay Research survey asked Southern Baptist pastors to indicate their position concerning the following question: “Do you consider yourself a five-point Calvinist?”
LifeWay Research found that 10 percent of Southern Baptist pastors consider themselves five-point Calvinists. That number, while still relatively small compared to the 85 percent who do not consider themselves five-point Calvinists, is still a large enough group to deserve attention.
The survey also showed that 4 percent of respondents “don't know” if they are five-point Calvinist. Another 1 percent refused to answer one way or another.
After analyzing the demographics of the 10 percent who affirm Calvinism, LifeWay Research also found no clear age correlation. “Some have expressed views this renewed interest in Reformed theology is tied to younger Southern Baptist students and pastors,” said Brad Waggoner, director of LifeWay Research. “It is interesting that the research revealed that there is no significant statistical difference in those who are over 40 years of age responding in the affirmative and those under 40. Therefore, age is not a determining factor in those who embrace Reformed theology.”
LifeWay Research also found that a slight majority of Southern Baptist pastors only address Calvinism from the pulpit once a year or less. While a greater number of pastors—51 percent—rarely speak on Calvinism with their people, 45 percent of SBC pastors address Calvinism several times a year or more from the pulpit. Four percent refused to answer the question regarding the frequency with which they address Calvinism from the pulpit.
From all the pastors surveyed, 6 percent responded that they address Calvinism once a month and 7 percent discuss it more than once a month. The survey did not ask whether the respondents spoke favorably or negatively of Reformed theology.
Five-Point Calvinism is most often explained through the acrostic TULIP. Calvinists believe in:
• Total Depravity: All humans are born sinners, and this sinful condition affects every aspect of man's being, including his will and has rendered him incapable of responding to the gospel without God's initiative.
• Unconditional Election: God decreed from eternity to elect certain individuals to salvation. The basis of this election has nothing to do with the merit of those chosen, but is based solely on the sovereign will of God.
• Limited Atonement: Christ's death atoned for the sin of those chosen to salvation from eternity past. In other words, Christ did not die for all of humanity, only the “elect.” Many Calvinists prefer the wording “particular redemption” when explaining this tenant.
• Irresistible Grace: The elect are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and thus are able to see, understand and respond to the gospel. This act of God's grace is ultimately irresistible in that divine election works unfailingly. Many Calvinists prefer the wording “effectual calling” in lieu of irresistible grace.
• Perseverance of the Saints: God preserves those He elects to become believers, and they will not fall away.
LifeWay Research chose to make Calvinism the topic of its first project in light of the increased dialogue across the SBC and as speculation emerged on the prevalence of Calvinistic theology.
It is a critical need because “the truth matters,” said Waggoner, in a recent interview. “There seems to be a need for clarity and interpretation of all this information.”
LifeWay Research conducted the study on Calvinism through a sample of 413 Southern Baptist pastors surveyed by phone in July and August. The sample has a margin of error of +4.8 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval.
An Inside LifeWay podcast interview with Waggoner discussing the research's findings is available at www.lifeway.com/news.