T.U.L.I.P.

This is a short blog about Calvinism and its key beliefs.  Calvinism was inspired by the teachings of John Calvin (1509–1564) who was a French theologian and a key figure in the Protestant Reformation.  Calvinism holds many beliefs that predates John Calvin himself, St. Augustine for example wrote something about "predestination of the saints" as early as fifth century.

The key teachings of Calvinism has been supported by famous preachers and theologians such as Spurgeon, Schaeffer, Whitefield, Newton, Edwards and a lot more.  Contemporary Calvinists include Piper, MacArthur, Sproul, and Packer.

In summary, the acronym T.U.L.I.P. is briefly explained as follows:

Total Depravity - Man is totally depraved.  We are sinful as a result of the fall.  The entire human race is dead in trespasses and sins therefore man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).

Unconditional Election - Because humanity is dead in sin, he has no ability to respond to God.  Dead man can not respond, right? Therefore God, in eternity past, elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man’s response (Romans 8:29-30;9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12) because man is unable to respond, nor does he want to.

Limited Atonement - Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God’s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and for whom Christ died will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).

Irresistible Grace - Those whom God elected He draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37, 44; 10:16).

Perseverance of the Saints - The elect whom God has Chosen and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14)

There´s been so many debates for and against Calvinism.  A big percentage of Christian evangelicals have now introduced what they call "four point Calvinism" or Amyraldism.  Then we have the Arminians who opposed most of the Calvinist teachings.   Molinism offers some sort of a middle ground.  There are strong Biblical support for each school of thought.

The challenge in each of these beliefs is that man try to read the mind of God and just like in Science of Astronomy for example, the more we explore the universe, the bigger it becomes.  What more if we try to explore the mind of the Creator of the universe.

Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that "the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."  I believe enough truth has been shared by God in the Bible, a glimpse of His nature is written all over His word and these knowledge is enough for people to yearn for His love and for His children to share the same to others.

Am I a Calvinist?  Not 100% as  I agree to some of their points.  However, I believe that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is unlimited.  When Jesus said in John 3:16 that He "loves the world," He meant the whole world!  And when He said "whosoever believes," He meant every one.  Arminians have very good arguments and so are the Molinists.

Am I a Calvinist?  I´d rather be called a Christian who serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

 God bless you.


Sources:
- Calvinism, Gotquestions.org
- What´s wrong with Calvinism, Roger Olson, Patheos