Look at the following Calvinism Chart and see which best fits your particular Calvinist position. You don't have to agree explicitly with each definition, just place yourself were you most agree.

This is an OPEN POLL. Your selection is not secret.

1. Hyper-Calvinism: Beliefs: God is the author of sin and man has no responsibility before God. The Gospel should only preached to the elect. i.e. duty faith. and anti-missionary Belief in the five points is a prerequisite for true salvation, also known as Neo-Gnostic Calvinism. Proponents: Joseph Hussey John Skepp and some English primitive Baptists.
   
   
2. Ultra High Calvinism: Beliefs: That the elect are in some sense eternally justified. A denial of: The Well– Meant Offer; Common Grace; and God having any love for the non-elect. Proponents: John Gill, some ministers in the Protestant Reformed Church of America
   
   
3. High Calvinism: Beliefs: That God in no sense desires to save the reprobate, Most deny the Well-Meant Offer. Supralapsarian viewing God’s decrees. All hold to limited atonement. Most believe in particular grace and see the atonement as sufficient only for the elect. Proponents: Theodore Beza, Gordon Clark, Arthur Pink
   
   
4. Moderate Calvinism: Beliefs: That God does in some sense desires to save the reprobate, Infralapsarian in viewing God’s decrees. Affirms Common Grace. Proponents: John Calvin (some argue that he was a High-Calvinist), John Murray, RL Dabney
   
   
5. Low Calvinism: Beliefs: That Christ died for all in a legal sense, so one can speak of Christ dying for the non-elect. That God has two distinct wills. Affirms the Well-Meant Offer and Common Grace, Proponents: Amyraldrians , RT Kendal
   
   
6. Lutheranism: Beliefs: That Calvinist over emphasize God Sovereignty over man’s responsibility. That Christ died for all in legal sense, that some are predestined on to life but none are predestined onto death. That the sacraments are means of grace regardless of one’s faith. Proponents: Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Rod Rosenbladt
   
   
7. American Baptist: Beliefs: That God has given man libertarian freedom, that God’s knowledge of future is based on His foreknowledge. That Christ died for all and desires all to be saved. Once a persons believes the gospel, he is eternally secure. Rejects Calvinism, some would even call it heretical. Proponents: Jerry Falwell, Adrian Rogers
   
   
8. Arminianism Beliefs: That God has given man libertarian freedom, that God’s knowledge of future is solely based on His foreknowledge. That Christ died for all and desires all to be saved. A person can fall from the state of grace i.e. lose ones salvation, since it is our free will that chooses Christ at conversion. Proponents: Jacob Arminius, John Wesley some Methodists
   
   http://www.exegiaaudio.org/exegiacalvinsimweb.mht

P.S. Almost forgot: copyright Rev Jonathan James Goundry. Thanks VanVos.

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R. Anthony Coletti
Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Jonesborough, TN
[i]et venite et arguite me dicit Dominus[/i]

I believe that the gospel is to be preached to all mankind; however,
I deny duty faith and duty repentance.
I deny common grace.
I deny that the gospel is an "offer" and is rather a declaration.
I hold to eternal justification.
I hold to supralapsarianism.

= IMO I am a high Calvinist

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Richard
CofE
UK

FYI:

http://www.epc.org.au/start/literature/stebb6.html
http://www.epc.org.au/start/literature/mod-cal.html
http://www.epc.org.au/start/literature/universa.html

I picked ultra-high just so the curve will be a little more uniform. High-calvinism is probably the best fit for me.

I'm a little confused as to the difference between ultra and high octane Calvinism?

Also, per High it states: "Some believe in particular grace. . . ."

Should that be common grace? I thought all Calvinists even the anemic kind believe in particular grace?

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Sean Gerety
Member
Calvary Presbyterian, PCA
Norfolk, VA

[COLOR="Blue"][SIZE="1"]“I don't really like disconcerting people. Although often when I try to be normal I disconcert anyway." Robert Wyatt[/SIZE][/COLOR]

Thanks for putting the poll together. Looks like High-calvinism is the general consensus of the puritanboard. Have you heard this book High Calvinists in Action ?
I think I'm going to have purchase a copy.

VanVos

__________________
Rev Jonathan James Goundry
*Calvinist @ Heart
Missionary with International Christian Institute www.iciministry.org
www.fide-o.com
www.vanvos.blogspot.com
www.unchainedradio.com

I'll gladly sit in the "High Calvinism" pew with Turretin and Owen.
Although I lean toward Infra rather than Supra.

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Jim
1689 LBCF
Independent Bible Church
North Texas, USA

Aren't you jumping to conclusions? There have only been 7 respondents so far. This isn't CBS news!

I picked High Calvinism, but I can say that in discussion on other forums I go into ultra high Calvinism in some of the way I put things

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Doug
Baptist
Hemet, Ca
Old Time Radio Podcast

Well, after answering the last poll wrongly because I didn't understand a term ("justified true belief" where I thought true meant genuine/sincere and it meant correct) I'm going to ask first before I define myself!

I've heard different people mean different things by "common grace". I believe in it in the sense that all men deserve hell, yet are allowed this present life for a time. I also believe that for the non-elect those good things are unto judgment so maybe that is denying common grace. So what do you mean by it so that I can know if I believe it or deny it?

And I don't know what i think about the lapsarianism business, so I won't count that in my answer. I think I'm going to end up "high" but the jury's still out. I have to admit that "high" sounds more respectable than "low" so I feel somewhat abashed about choosing it, but that's the way it goes.

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jenney
Reformed Baptist
CA

Depends who you read:

In my reading I found that John Owen was a high calvinist but believed in common grace, I think also Turretin. Some say no high calvinist believes in common grace, some say all do, so I think the most accurate position is some do.

VanVos

Jenny, just click on "High."

Also, I think VanVos (Jonathan) admits there may be some adjustments needed in his definitions/distinctions. And there is some overlap to be considered. But looking at the spectrum of categories, one can generally pick a place for himself.

You can go home folks - the winner has been declared!

I'm feeling lonely as the uno ultra. I wonder if we will see the Buffalo effect. Anyone feel influenced by the fact that (so far) the vast majority is High-Calvinism. Does it make want to vote with the winners.

The inner-irrationalist in me feels like a loser. But then the same inner-irrationalist says being at the top of the list makes me number one!

<play Rocky theme music>

Yes; I have read it and it is very good.

I perceive that most puritanboard folks will be high to ultra. I think the people here like to be consistent in their theology

I would say this is a good illustration of why broad distinctions like these (low, moderate, high, ultra-high Calvinism) are often arbitrary and seldom helpful. Much better to compare the Reformed confessions (and theologians) on each individual issue, observing where they are silent, and where they emphasize things differently.

That said, I did vote, but basically just in hopes of helping to make it clear that infras do make up a significant portion of all Calvinists currently (just as they always have historically).

__________________
Chris


A passion to know and reflect Christ by living and demonstrating the truth and richness of the historic Reformed faith

Visit My Website Here

Christopher Blum
Member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Northern Kentucky (PCA) in Burlington, KY

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

What is the 'well-meant offer'

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Rev. Andrew J. Barnes
Husband of Dena
Father of Oliver
Master of Bruce
Pastor of Tchula Presbyterian Church

What can I say, I like blogs!

As I see it, the Well-Meant-Offer reflects the view of the Murray-Stonehouse Report in 1948 response to Clark-VanTil controversy.

I picked high calvinism.

supralapsarian, limited atonement, the atonement is sufficient for the elect only.

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Larry Bray
Elder - Reformed Presbyterian Church of Boothwyn, PCA
Boothwyn, PA - http://www.rpcb.org/
Free Online Reformed Seminary - http://www.tnars.net
-----------------------------------------------------
Christian ritual costs nothing and is worth nothing. True Christian religion costs all that we have and is worth everything.

http://www.prca.org/pamphlets/pamphlet_35.html

http://www.cprf.co.uk/articles/wellm...eprobation.htm

Curious as to who the hyper vote belongs to...

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Adam - Pennsylvania - Baptist

http://www.myspace.com/aleavelle

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/p...5655012&ref=nf

I think it's actually quite useful in getting a ball-park view. The fact that there are different denominations is a case in point. If we didn't find the categories helpful, we'd all be non-denominational.

Didn't the infra make up the majority in that poll? I think it was pretty evenly split. I'll have to do a search.


P.S. It was close, almost 40% infra. Supra- or Infra-??? Yes, it is time to do it again!

HIGH Calvinism.
I'm glad no one has said "I'm a high Calvinist" because certain hippy types might get the wrong idea...

__________________
Jim
An Elder, Harvest Reformed Church (RCUS),Minot, ND
http://www.harvestreformedchurch.org/
http://tbftgoggi.wordpress.com/

Upon a life I did not live; upon a death I did not die, Another's death, Another's life, I'd rest my soul eternally
Omnia dicta fortiora,si dicta Latina
Si vis pacem, para bellum

It's an open poll. You can click on the numbers to see who voted for what.

Should I have added that information to the first post? I think we tend to think open polling is not good, and secret ballets are better. But I was interested in seeing if anyones vote were a surprise.

P.S. I just added that poll is "open" in the first post.

I'm about 50% moderate, 30% high and 20% ultra if that's possible.

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Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann.
Members of Redeemer Church ARP, Blacksburg Va.
http://www.redeemerblacksburg.org/

I am majority moderate, but as with most polls the options are limited. The part of me that isn't moderate is high, but not ultra-high.

JH

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Jonathan Hunt

Elder holding forth the word of life at:
Cheltenham Evangelical Free Church (Confessionally Based)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
-- Thomas Elsworth

That's impossible!! It's inconceivable!!

I thought about making it multiple choice.

I'm so confused.

I am a mix between High and Moderate Calvinism --> I picked Moderate.

I think free-will baptists generally deny Eternal security, don't they?

Adrian Rogers wouldn't, by that standard, qualify as a free-will baptist.

I don't think falwell would either...???

<--high C

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Chris Latch
Corinth MS
Crossroads church - SBC
Evangelism leader

Yeah I agree the title free will baptist is misleading. I was going put Southern Baptist, but that also a mixed camp. Maybe general Baptist would be a better term.

VanVos

Me too.

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x

I went with High, but was tempted to go Ultra so Anthony won't feel lonely.

I agree that perhaps the definitions could have been clearer. For example for High:

1. "God in no sense desires to save the reprobate"

Yet,

2. "some deny the Well-Meant Offer."

Wouldn't the affirmation of 1 be the necessary denial of 2 since the WMO is the idea that God desires to save the reprobate?

Although I tend to lean toward the Ultra position, since for example I think there is a sense in which the elect are in some sense eternally justified (see Kuyper and Richard Bacon) and also if love is an action then I would say the love question is answered above per #1 which would mean Highs are really Ultras and just don't know it.

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Patrick
MDiv, RTS Jackson
Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC), Lisbon, NY

"He does well, that discourses of Christ; but he does infinitely better, that by experimental knowledge, feeds and lives on Christ." Thomas Brooks.
"Let us not please ourselves that we have deep understandings, but let us shew our understandings by our practice." Richard Sibbes

Yes, I couldn't work out why Turretin's name was attached to a position which outrightly calls itself supralapsarian. And Owen taught the absolute necessity of the atonement, so that effectively banishes him to the fringes of high-Calvinism. I would summarise high calvinism as the belief that God does all things according to the counsel of His will.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."

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Vaughan
BTh Student, Presbyterian Theological Centre
Student Assistant, Ashfield Presbyterian Church
Sydney, Australia
The Ransomed

AV1611/RJS, just admit it!

__________________
Conscience may lash us, but it cannot replenish a languishing life. Conscience may be God's word and minister to you, telling you of your faults and your follies and your destitution. It may point out, but it will never supply you. Christ must give you new life. Hart has well expressed it: "He to the feeble and the faint, His mighty aid makes known; and when their languid life is spent, supplies it with His own." - J. K. Popham

I don't really know what I am. Confused, I suppose. I appreciate Rev. Winzer clarifying some things.

What does this make me (?):

I read this from Bavink on predestination (paraphrased on punctuation mostly):
Concerning the moderate/high Calvinism. These are the things I believe:

If the above from Bavink is accurate, then I'd say I'm supralapsarian.
Thus, I believe that all things flow from God's decree (that He works all things according to the counsel of his will). I believe that we are to preach the gospel to all indiscriminately; however, I don't know that God could have a "well-meaning" offer, if He has so decreed that men be otherwise condemned. Since we cannot know who the elect are, of course, we preach the gospel to all. It's not as if God needs our help, and our main purpose in preaching is to be obedient to God's command. Many believe (Spurgeon, et al) passages such as 1 Tim 2:4 show that God, in some way we can't fathom or comprehend, desires (not so much that He actually effects it so) that all (without exception, as opposed to distinction) men be saved. I, on the other hand, believe that the context brings it to mean all kinds of men--thus, said passages don't pose a threat to my systematic understanding of God's working in soteriology.

I hope I haven't rambled. But that being said, how would I be classified?

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCGA
Facebook - The Calvinist Vent
Board Rules - Signature Rules - Suggestion Box

It is God that multiplies our sorrows.... God, as a righteous Judge, does it, which ought to silence us under all our sorrows; as many as they are, we have deserved them all, and more: nay, God, as a tender Father, does it for our necessary correction, that we may be humbled for sin, and weaned from the world by all our sorrows; and the good we get by them, with the comfort we have under them, will abundantly balance our sorrows, how greatly soever they are multiplied. - Matthew Henry

I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me, babe!
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning


I'm a High Calvinist but I'm also easy like Sunday morning.

__________________
Bob Vigneault C.O.L, L.E., G.E, Dr.O.P., O.U.T.
The Heartbeat of Heaven (blog)
Deacon/Christ Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI OPC www.christ-opc.org

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

I'm hoping that the one hyper is just a High Calvinist jacked up on Red Bull.