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The Five Points of Calvinism
Examined
The Five Points of
Calvinism are usually defined with the acronym of TULIP.
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also called Eternal Security)
We do not teach
these five points because we believe they contradict the teaching of the Bible.
We will explore each of these individually. For each point, I will share the
traditional definition and then contrast with our beliefs.
Total
Depravity
The term "total depravity" is used by Calvinists to
describe the spiritual condition of mankind as a result of sin. They believe sin
has totally destroyed or erased the image of God from man. Calvinists believe
mankind is spiritually dead and that this condition limits them in every way a
physically dead person is limited. A sinner can no longer see, hear, understand,
or respond to God in any way because he is no different than a physical corpse.
Mankind's depravity has not only given man a propensity to sin but a necessity
to sin. Human will was not just affected or diminished by "the fall" but
destroyed. As a result, God must make us alive (regenerate) before we can place
faith in Him. The Calvinist believes mankind is incapable of placing faith in
Jesus Christ until after regeneration. Thus the Calvinist believes salvation
comes before faith and is what makes faith possible.
* We believe in the
total depravity of man. By that we mean, “For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). However, at the point of salvation,
our spirit is made sinless even though our minds and bodies are still in sin
(Romans 6:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Calvinists teach that human beings
are so totally depraved, and if given the opportunity they would never repent
and turn to Jesus.
Four Biblical Reasons Why I Do Not Believe in
Total Depravity.
A. The Bible consistently teaches that faith comes
before salvation and is a prerequisite for receiving salvation.
Ephesians
2:8; Romans 5:1; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 3:17.
B. Spiritual death in
the Bible does not mean annihilation but separation.
Genesis 9:6; Isaiah
59:2; Genesis 2:16-17.
C. People that are spiritually dead in the Bible
can still hear, understand, and respond to God.
Romans 1:18-25; Genesis
3:3-13.
D. The Bible clearly teaches in many places that spiritually dead
people have "free will" and are commanded to exercise it to place faith in
Christ for salvation.
Acts 8:36-38; Acts 16:29-31; Romans 4:24.
Unconditional Election
The term "unconditional election" is
used by Calvinists to describe how God has elected (chosen) certain people for
salvation. The Calvinist believes there are no conditions for God to give
salvation or for mankind to receive it. God has elected (chosen) some people for
salvation independent of His foreknowledge or man's response. God has elected
only a limited number which He chose unconditionally before the foundation of
the world. People that are not numbered in the elect cannot and will not be
saved. People that are elected are chosen independently of their faith in Christ
or their response to the gospel. God in his divine sovereignty has chosen the
elect before the foundation of the world based solely on His good pleasure. Man
cannot place faith in Christ because he is totally depraved. The Calvinist also
believes if we teach faith is necessary for salvation then we believe m works
salvation.
* We do not believe in unconditional election. The belief of
unconditional election would imply that God chooses some people over others, but
the Bible teaches the opposite. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).
Those
who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ are the elect, we are predestined before
the foundation of the world through the foreknowledge of God (1 Peter 1:2;
Romans 8:29-31). Our eternal destiny is entirely upon the personal choices we
make based upon our own freewill.
Four Biblical Reasons Why I Do
Not Believe in Unconditional Election.
A. The Bible clearly teaches
that God bases His predestination of the elect on His foreknowledge.
1 Peter
1:2, Romans 8:29; Romans 11:2.
B. The Bible clearly teaches that while
salvation is unconditional from the giver's perspective, it IS conditional from
the receiver's perspective. Mankind must place faith in Jesus Christ to be
saved.
Acts 16:30-31; John 1:10-12; Romans 10:9-10.
C. The Bible
clearly teaches that faith is not works and even contrasts faith with works.
Romans 4:5; Romans 3:27-31; Ephesians 2:8-9.
D. The Bible clearly teaches
that God does not desire a small group of elect to be saved, but He desires all
to be saved and has made salvation available to all.
Romans 10:11-13; 2 Peter
3:9; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-4.
Limited Atonement
Calvinists use the term “Limited Atonement” to explain that Christ’s death on
the cross was not for all people. Calvinists believe Christ only atoned for the
sins of the elect on the cross. Thus, the atonement was limited to the sins of
the elect. Christ’s death on the cross and the blood He shed was only for the
elect and not for all people. Calvinists believe if Christ had paid for the sins
of all people on the cross then everyone would be saved. Since the Bible does
not teach Universalism (that all people will be saved), the atonement must be
limited. Calvinists believe Christ died only for those people He loved,
regenerated, and elected. Those that He has not elected He neither loves nor
saves.
* We believe in Unlimited Atonement (2 Corinthians 5:14-15;
Hebrews 10:10).
Four Biblical Reasons Why I Do Not Believe in
Limited Atonement.
A. There are no verses in the Bible, properly
interpreted, that support limited atonement. However, there are many verses that
clearly teach that Christ died for the sins of all humankind.
John 1:29; John
3:16-17; Romans 5:18; *1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Corinthians 5:14-19.
B.
The Bible clearly teaches that God wants all people to be saved. Why would God
want all people to be saved and not provide a way for all people to be saved?
John 12:47; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6.
C. It is faulty logic to assume
that if Christ died for all people then all people must or will be saved, The
Bible clearly teaches that while Christ’s death provides salvation for all it
has procured salvation for all who believe.
Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:9-13;
Acts 17:30-34.
D. The Bible clearly teaches that God is love and limited
atonement would make God NOT be all-loving. God cannot act contrary to His
nature.
John 3:16; 1 John 4:8-10.
John Calvin did not believe
in Limited Atonement and his own writings prove that he believed and taught
Christ died for everyone.
A. Calvin wrote in his comments on
Colossians 1:15, “This is our liberty, this is our glorying against death, that
our sins are not imputed to us. Redemption was procured by the blood of Christ,
for by the sacrifice of His death all the sins of the world have been expiated.”
B. Calvin wrote in The Mystery of Godliness, “It is no small matter to have
souls perish who were bought by the blood of Christ.”
C. Calvin wrote in
Institutes of Religion concerning Paul’s commanding to Timothy that prayers be
made for everyone, “By this he assuredly means nothing more than that the way of
salvation was not shut against any order of men; that on the contrary, he had
manifested his mercy in such a way, that he would have none debarred from it.’
D. Calvin wrote in his comments on Romans 5:18, “Paul makes grace common
to all men, not because it in fact extends to all, but because it is offered to
all. Although Christ suffered for the sins of the world, and is offered by the
goodness of God without distinction to all men, yet not all receive him.”
E. Calvin wrote concerning Isaiah 53:12, “I approve of the ordinary reading,
that he alone bore the punishment of many, because on him was laid the guilt of
the whole world. It is evident from other passages, and especially from the
fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, that “many” sometimes does denote ‘
all.’
Irresistible Grace
Calvinists use the term
“Irresistible Grace” to communicate the idea that no one that God offers His
grace to can resist His grace. Calvinists believe God only gives His grace to
the elect and all of them must respond positively to His grace. Calvinists
believe God’s grace is not available to or offered to all people. It is
impossible for a lost person who is offered God’s grace to refuse the offer.
Spiritually lost people remain lost because they are not numbered among the
elect and thus are not extended an opportunity to receive God’s grace. If God
offered His grace to everyone, then everyone would be saved, because no one can
reject God’s grace.
* We do not believe in irresistible grace. We believe
that a person convicted by the Holy Spirit can either accept or reject Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord (Acts 2:37-41; Acts 7:54-58).
Four
Biblical Reasons Why I do Not Believe in Irresistible Grace.
A. The
Bible clearly teaches that while God’s unconditional will cannot be resisted
that He also wills some things that are conditional.
2 Peter 3:9; Luke 7:30;
Acts 7:51; Matthew 23:37.
B. The Bible clearly teaches that God’s grace
is only irresistible to those who are willing to be saved.
John 1:11-12; Luke
15:11-32.
C. The doctrine of Irresistible Grace demands that God’s grace
be not only persuasive but coercive. However, there is not one example in
scripture of God coercing somebody against their will to be saved.
Matthew
23:37; John 1:11-12; Titus 2:11.
D. The Bible clearly teaches in many
places that God has given man free will and the doctrine of Irresistible Grace
would nullify man’s free will.
Joshua 24:15; Deuteronomy 30:19; John 3:19.
Perseverance Of The Saints
This term means all of those
God has elected will persevere to the end and be in heaven. However, Calvinists
believe only in the eternal security of the elect, and have no real assurance in
this life that they are one of the elect. The saints that are referred to are
the elect God regenerated apart from faith and repentance before the world was
formed. While “Perseverance of the Saints” stands for eternal security for the
elect, it does not teach temporal assurance of salvation on earth. This teaching
offers no assurance to the individual on earth that they are one of the elect.
Calvinists believe our obedience or sinfulness in this life are the only way we
have to discern if we are one of the elect and will persevere. Ultimately the
elect will have to wait until eternal judgment to be proven one of God’ s elect
that persevered.
* We believe that once you are saved, you are always
saved. To say that one could loose his or her salvation is to say that Christ
doesn’t have the power to keep us. We are not responsible for keeping our
salvation, God is.
Four Biblical Reasons Why I do Not Believe in
the Calvinist view of the Perseverance of the Saints.
A. The Bible
clearly teaches that saved people can have an assurance of salvation in this
life.
Romans 8:16; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; Jude 1:24-25.
B.
The Bible clearly teaches that a Christian’s perseverance does not begin with
God’s arbitrary selection of the elect but the faith and repentance of the
believer.
John 5:24; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 5:13.
C. The Bible
clearly teaches that the saints do not have to wait until the final judgment to
be completely sure they are elect and will persevere.
John 6:39-40; John
10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; 2 Timothy 4:18.
D. The Bible clearly teaches
that a Christian’s perseverance after salvation is based on God’s faithfulness
not ours.
Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:5; Romans 8:35-39; 2 Timothy 2:13.
Calvinism Refuted
As believers in God’s inspired Word, we
need to consistently “refute” the false teaching of any kind.
2 Timothy 3:16;
Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 2:4, 8; Hebrews 13:9; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 1:9-10.
Possible Problems For Calvinists:
The Bible commands
us to study the Word of God and understand, believe, and teach the truth.
2
Timothy 2:15; John 5:39; Galatians 3:1
Calvinism can and does lead to
people not taking personal responsibility for their actions.
2 Corinthians
5:9-11; James 1:13
Calvinism makes God responsible for sin and evil.
Psalm 99:9; Deuteronomy 32:4
Calvinism undermines our confidence in an
all loving God.
John 3:16; Acts 14:17; 17:25; 1 Timothy 2:4
Calvinism
destroys our motivation and passion for missions and evangelism.
Romans
10:13; Matthew 4:17; Mark 16:15
Calvinism undermines our motivation for
intercessory prayer.
Acts 6:4; Romans 10:1
Calvinism teaches a method
of salvation which is inconsistent with salvation through faith and repentance.
Acts 16:31; Romans 4:24; Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 3:19
Sadly, many
Calvinist groups claim that Calvinism is exclusively Christianity, that their
doctrine of TULIP is the gospel itself, and that anyone who disagrees with their
doctrine is a “heretic,” “false teacher,” or “false convert.” They are quick to
break fellowship with, and falsely accuse, any Christian that contradicts their
own theology.
References:
Examination and
Refutation of 5 Point Calvinism
https://uttermostevangelism.org/ufiles/2015/04/Examination-and-Refutation-of-5-Point-Calvinism.pdf
Landmark Missionary Baptist Church - Five Points
of Calvinism Refuted
https://www.landmark-lakewood.org/fivepoints.php
Refuting the TULIP Doctrine | Calvinism Refuted
- GEWatkins.net
https://gewatkins.net/refuting-the-false-tulip-doctrine/
Why I am not a Calvinist: How Reformed Theology
contradicts Scripture
https://crosstheology.wordpress.com/why-i-am-not-a-calvinist-how-reformed-theology-contradicts-scripture/
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Passages to
think about
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 |
The Convicting
Work of the Spirit
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