Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 40%

The quotation above is taken from

Rationale

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

Calvin's theological contributions emphasized the belief that God has preordained the salvation or damnation of individuals, a cornerstone of his Reformed theology and a fundamental aspect of Protestant thought.

A (Petrarch, Lives of Illustrious Men) YOUR ANSWER

Indulgences refer to the practice within the Catholic Church of granting remission of sin penalties, which Calvin vehemently opposed. His reformist stance was largely a reaction against such practices, which he viewed as corrupt, rather than an advocacy for them.

B (Castiglione, The Book of the Courtier) YOUR ANSWER

Calvin's central doctrine was predestination, which asserts that God has already determined who will be saved and who will not, independent of individual actions or merits. This belief set Calvin apart from many other theological perspectives and was foundational to his teachings.

C (Machiavelli, The Prince) YOUR ANSWER

Papal infallibility is the doctrine that the pope is incapable of error in pronouncing dogma. Calvin, as a reformer, challenged the authority of the papacy and rejected the concept of papal infallibility, advocating instead for the authority of Scripture.

D (Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man) CORRECT

Clerical celibacy is the practice of remaining unmarried and abstaining from sexual relations, which is mandated in the Catholic Church. Calvin supported marriage for clergy, opposing the requirement of celibacy that was prevalent in Catholic doctrine.

E (Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales) YOUR ANSWER

Unitarianism is a theological doctrine that denies the Trinity and emphasizes the oneness of God. While Calvin's teachings were rooted in a Trinitarian understanding of God, Unitarianism diverges significantly from Calvinist doctrine and was not a belief he supported.

Conclusion

John Calvin's major theological contribution was the doctrine of predestination, reflecting his belief in God's sovereignty over salvation. The other options, including indulgences, papal infallibility, clerical celibacy, and Unitarianism, represent beliefs or practices that Calvin opposed or rejected. His advocacy for predestination continues to influence Reformed theology and Protestantism to this day.

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