The Five Points of Calvinism Examined

Total Depravity (Total Inability)

Romans 1:18-32; Romans 3:10-18; Ezekiel 18; 1 Kings 18:21; Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15-22 

We will be judged by our own actions: Matthew 12:36-37; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 1:17; Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 John 3:4 

Total depravity is the name given to the belief that no human being has any perfect aspects to their character and person. Everything is spoiled. Humans are born already dead in sin, because they inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin. 

When Adam and Eve fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, they were... 

"...wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation." 

This total depravity is said to result in a total inability to contribute anything to one’s salvation.

Free will: Isaiah 1:19-20; Ezekiel 33:11; Luke 7:30; John 7:17; 1 Corinthians 7:37; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 13:1-23. 

Human Depravity

The Hebrew Old Testament has some 12 different words to define sin and the Greek New Testament about five. Together they represent seven categories of sin. To fully appreciate God’s unconditional agape love and the incredibly good news of the gospel — the truth as it is in Christ — it is important that we first come to grips with these seven categories of sin. They are as follows: 

1.      A deliberate act against the law of God. See 1 John 3:4. (The King James Version uses the word “transgression,” but the Greek word means “lawlessness,” which is deliberately choosing to live a life of sin.)

2.      A mental consent to a temptation or a sinful desire, the sin of coveting. See Romans 7:7-8. (See also Matthew 5:27, 28; James 1:14; Proverbs 24:9.)

3.      Unbelief, a deliberate rejection of a Biblical truth. See Romans 14:23. (See also John 3:18; John 16:8, 9.)

4.      Neglect of known duties or opportunity. See James 4:17. (See also James 2:14; Matthew 23:23; Matthew 25:43-46.)

5.      Doing the wrong thing out of ignorance. See Leviticus 5:17-19. (See also Luke 12:48; 1 Timothy 1:13.)

6.      Our sinful natures, which we inherited from Adam. See Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:3. (See also Romans 5:19, 20; Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 3:20, 21.)

7.      A law, principle, or constant force, dwelling in our sinful natures (indwelling sin in the flesh). This makes us slaves to sin. Therefore, holy living, in and of ourselves, is impossible. See Romans 7:14; 7:20-23 (See also Luke 11:39; John 8:31-34.) 

Unconditional Election

Matthew 7:13-14; 7:21; 2 Peter 1:2-12; Romans 3:26; John 3:16, 36; John 6:40, 51; 1 John 2:1-2; Acts 13:39; Ephesians 1:1-13; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 10:26, 29; Colossians 1:19-23; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4 

Unconditional election is a term given to the belief that God chose some for salvation, but nothing about those persons influenced God’s choice, and salvation is not on the basis that if you do what God tells you (a condition), then he will save you. 

"Those of mankind who are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto." 

Limited Atonement

John 3:16-17; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Ephesians 2:8-22; Colossians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14; 1 Timothy 4:10; Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 2:9; Romans 8:32 

Limited atonement is a term given to the belief that Jesus did not lay down his life for all mankind, but only for some, and that the rest of mankind have no Savior. According to this belief, Jesus did not shed his blood for everyone in general, but only for certain persons in particular. 

The benefit of the cross and of the message of the cross is available only to these fortunate persons. The atonement is irrevocably and utterly limited to that number, and the cross has no potential to make atonement for even one single person more. Limited atonement simply means that Jesus did not die for the whole world. 

This belief arises logically and necessarily out of the other points of Calvinism. It is wrong because they are wrong. 

Irresistible Grace

Acts 7:51; 13:48; Luke 7:30; Matthew 11:28; Matthew 23:37; Joshua 24:15; Acts 2:40; John 1:12; John 1:9-13; John 5:40; John 3:19; John 7:17; Titus 2:11; Revelation 22:17 

Irresistible grace is the term given to the belief that the grace of God is "free" which is to say it is not tied or obligated to anyone’s choice, but operates apart from human will. In other words, if you have not received the grace of God, you cannot apply to God for it and choose to receive it. 

According to this doctrine, those who receive God’s grace exercise no will of their own, nor are they able to resist. It comes to them perforce. 

This view of grace cannot allow for God laying down two alternatives, pointing out the eternal and unchangeable consequences of each, and giving a person the choice, especially when God’s will favors one alternative and abhors the other. 

Perseverance of the Saints

Hebrews 3:12-14; Hebrews 6:4-8; Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 Peter 2:20-22; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:4-7; Galatians 5:19; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 5:16-17; Revelation 3:5 

Perseverance of the saints is a term given to belief in the impossibility of apostasy, meaning that a person who is saved cannot possibly become unsaved. God’s grace is infallible. One cannot fall from grace. Apostasy is impossible. 

This doctrine holds that the security of the believer is not about being completely protected by God so long as one continues to seek refuge in God. It is about being imprisoned by God in his security, and quite unable to break out of it. Once saved, always saved. Any apparent apostasy by a person is either just that, apparent but not real, or else it was the person’s salvation that was only apparent but not real.

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Hebrews 6:4-6
This much-debated passage has been understood in several ways. (1) Arminians hold that the people described in these verses are Christians who actually lose their salvation. If this be so, notice that the passage also teaches that it is impossible to be saved a second time. (2) Some hold that the passage refers not to genuine believers but to those who only profess to be believers. Thus the phrases in Hebrews 6:4-5 are understood to refer to experiences short of salvation (cf. Hebrews 6:9). The "falling away" is from the knowledge of the truth, not personal possession of it. (3) Others understand the passage to be a warning to genuine believers to urge them on in Christian growth and maturity. To "fall away" is impossible (since, according to this view, true believers are eternally secure), but the phrase is placed in the sentence to strengthen the warning. It is similar to saying something like this to a class of students: "It is impossible for a student, once enrolled in this course, if he turns the clock back [which cannot be done,] to start the course over. Therefore, let all students go on to deeper knowledge." In this view the phrases in Hebrews 6:4-5 are understood to refer to the conversion experience. Notice how the words "enlightened" (Hebrews 10:32), "taste" (Hebrews 2:9), and "partakers" ("share," Hebrews 12:10) are used elsewhere in Hebrews of genuine experiences. (Ryrie Study Bible)

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Hebrews 6:4-6 This difficult passage concerning the falling away of some from the faith has been interpreted in various ways. Some insist that the author of Hebrews is speaking of nominal Christians who heard the truth and appeared to believe in Christ, but eventually demonstrated their shallow adherence to Christ by publicly renouncing Him. Others view these verses as a hypothetical argument. In other words, the author of Hebrews is using this hypothetical case to warn the spiritually immature (Hebrews 6:1-3) not to reject God's offer of salvation (Hebrews 6:6; 3:12). Typically those who postulate these two positions cite the numerous passages that speak of a true believer's eternal security (see John 6:39-40; 10:27-29; Rom. 8:28-30). Once God has saved us, nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:35-39). But another group of commentators insist that the author is speaking of genuine Christians who renounce Christ. They claim that this is a clear reading of this text and cite the numerous warnings in the New Testament to resist the deceptions of false teachers as additional evidence for their interpretation (2 Corinthians 11:1-4; 11:13-15; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 1 John 2:21-25). Whatever way one interprets this passage, it is clear that the author of Hebrews has given us a clear warning not to renounce Christ or spurn His offer of salvation. Only those who believe in Jesus will be saved; and the day to embrace His gift of salvation is today (Hebrews 3:7-12). 

Hebrews 6:4 Impossible is used three other times in the Book of Hebrews. It is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sin (Hebrews 10:4), for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18), and for anyone to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Here it is impossible to renew those who have fallen away from the faith (see Hebrews 6:6). Enlightened is used in only one other place in Hebrews (the word is translated illuminated in Hebrews 10:32). In that verse, enlightenment refers to a full knowledge of the truth. Tasted is used elsewhere in Hebrews of actual experience (Hebrews 2:9). Thus, to taste the heavenly gift is to experience the gift of eternal life. The Greek word for partakers is used elsewhere in Hebrews of regenerate people (Hebrews 1:9; 3:1, 14). 

Hebrews 6:6 The phrase if they fall away may also be rendered “having fallen away.” The fact that there is no hint of a conditional element in the Greek text argues against the “hypothetical” interpretation of this passage (see v. 4). Falling away here refers to deliberate apostasy (Hebrews 3:12), a defection from the faith. To renew means “to restore.” In other words, it is impossible for continuous effort on the part of anyone in the Christian community to restore an apostate back to fellowship with God. This is the reason for the strong warning of Hebrews 3:13 to exhort one another to avoid a hard heart. Continuing Christian immaturity is dangerous. crucify again: Departing from the faith amounts to a fresh public rejection of Christ, a crucifixion of Him all over again. (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

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Hebrews 6:4-8 This passage has been subject to substantially different interpretations. The central debate concerns whether the descriptions of Hebrews 6:4-5 (e.g., “enlightened,” “tasted the heavenly gift,” “shared in the Holy Spirit,” “tasted of the goodness of the word of God”) depict people who were once true Christians. (1) Some argue these phrases do describe true Christians, implying that Christians can “fall away” and lose their salvation (cf. note on Hebrews 3:14, however, indicating a fundamental difficulty with this view). Nonetheless, most who advocate this view hold that some who backslide can still return to Christian faith, thus limiting Hebrews 6:4-6 to hardened cases of apostasy in which it is “impossible... to restore them again to repentance” (vv. 4, 6). (2) Most argue, however, that although these people may have participated fully in the Christian covenantal community (where they experienced enlightened instruction in the Word of God, where they saw public repentance occur, and where the Holy Spirit was at work in powerful ways), when such people do “fall away” it is clear that they are not true Christians because they have not made a true, saving response to the gospel, resulting in genuine faith, love, and perseverance (Hebrews 6:9-12). Significantly, they are like land that received much rain but bore no good fruit, only “thorns and thistles” (v. 8). They may have participated outwardly in the Christian community and they even may have shared in the blessings of Christian fellowship; but, like the seed that fell on rocky ground in the parable of the sower, “they have no root” (Mark 4:17) and they “fall away” when faced with persecution. (3) Another view is that the warnings are addressed to true believers, and though they will never completely fall away, the warnings are still the means that God uses to challenge them to persevere in their faith and so to preserve those whom the Lord has chosen. (4) A fourth view is that the “falling away” described in Hebrews 6:6 has to do with loss of heavenly rewards. In any case, though the author recognizes that there may be a few in the congregation who fit the description of vv. 4-8, in general he does not think it to be true as a whole of the congregation to which he is writing, for he says, “yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation” (v. 9).

Hebrews 6:4 For explains “if God permits” (v. 3); in some cases it is fruitless to expound the deeper truths of the faith (or even lay again a foundation of elementary doctrines, v. 1), since it is impossible to restore some people again to repentance (cf. Hebrews 12:15-17). This likely refers to persons who in the past may have participated in acts of public repentance, which were common in early Christian worship. Here, however, they have apparently “fallen away” in such a decisive and irrevocable manner that “they are crucifying once again the Son of God... and holding him up to contempt” (Hebrews 6:6). Having committed such deliberate apostasy, it is impossible (at least from a human perspective) “to restore” such a person “again to repentance.” While Christians understand these verses differently, it is wise pastoral advice to encourage a person who worries that he may have committed such a deep sin, that the very desire to repent and to be restored in fellowship with the Christian community is evidence that he has not “fallen away” in the permanent, irrevocable way described in this verse (cf. note on “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” at Matthew 12:31-32). enlightened. Being listed first, this likely describes the initial entrance into Christian community through explanation of the Christian faith (cf. Hebrews 10:32). Some have suggested that this may also have included baptism. Tasted the heavenly gift probably refers either (or both) to the Lord’s Supper or the general blessing that one encounters in the fellowship of the Christian community. have shared in (lit., “have become a partaker of”) the Holy Spirit. Some understand this as a reference to a person who has experienced the laying on of hands in the Christian community; others link it to the communal experience of the Spirit active in their midst producing fellowship and powerful wonders.

Hebrews 6:5 tasted the goodness of the word of God. These people have heard the truth explained and thus have also learned of God’s creative word (Hebrews 1:3; 11:3). This word will be fully exhibited in powers that bring about the world’s renewal in the age to come (Hebrews 2:5; 13:14), yet, through the present ministry of the Spirit, these powers are partially experienced now in the Christian community (cf. Hebrews 2:4).

Hebrews 6:6 Fallen away involves a sustained, committed rejection of Christ and a departure from the Christian community. To restore them again to repentance means to bring them once again to repent of their sins. This wording alone does not specify whether the earlier repentance was merely outward (cf. Luke 17:4), or whether it was a genuine, heartfelt repentance that accompanied true saving faith (see note on Hebrews 6:4-8). The author is speaking in terms of what can be known from observing a person’s behavior. Crucifying once again graphically portrays rejection of Jesus. Holding... up to contempt (Gk. paradeigmatizō) conveys the idea of a public, shameful display. The warning of Hebrews 6:4-8 is substantial: such a falling away treats God’s own Son with such serious rejection that it is as if the person wanted again to put Christ on a cross; after such a departure there can be no return. (ESV Study Bible)

(Parts taken from: https://simplybible.com/f955-tulip-intro-overview-chart.htm) 

We also hold to:
New Covenant Theology (an overview)

See Also:
Arminian Theology | Free Will | Corporate Election | Unlimited Atonement

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