While LifeWay Research found the number of Southern Baptist pastors embracing five-point Calvinism to be relatively small, it is clear that conversations on Calvinism within the Southern Baptist Convention have brought renewed interest to the theological system.
Proponents of Calvinism, or Reformed theology, view it as a healthy return to early Southern Baptist heritage. (What is Calvinism?) Others see Calvinism as a negative trend and fear it is threatening to take over the SBC. In its inaugural survey, LifeWay Research sought to document the prevalence – or lack thereof – of Calvinism within the SBC.
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?” (How would you respond? Take our poll below.)
LifeWay Research found that 10 percent of Southern Baptist pastors consider themselves five-point Calvinists. That number, while relatively small compared to the 85 percent who do not consider themselves five-point Calvinists, still is a large enough group to deserve attention.
The survey also showed that 4 percent of respondents “don’t know” if they are five-point Calvinists. Another 1 percent refused to answer one way or another.
Beliefs not age-related
After analyzing the demographics of the 10 percent who affirm Calvinism, LifeWay Research also found no clear age correlation.
This poll was closed Jan. 24, 2007.“Some have expressed views that 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 (51 percent) of Southern Baptist pastors address Calvinism from the pulpit once a year or less, while 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.
Of the entire sample, 6 percent of pastors 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.
Explaining the research
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.
LifeWay president Thom Rainer announced the formation of LifeWay Research in February, saying the entity would assist and equip church leaders with knowledge that leads to greater levels of church health and effectiveness.
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 +5 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval.
Want to know more about what others are saying about Calvinism? Visit our Calvinism page for the Courier’s special series, “What Is Calvinism?”, written by Loyd Melton, and other related articles.