The Five Points of Calvinism

Remembering Calvinist Theology

© Mary Bernard

Aug 18, 2008

Presbyterian denominations world-wide today owe their theological roots to the teachings of John Calvin. Understanding the basics of Calvinism is aided with the help of TULIP: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.

1. Total depravity: Humans are born totally depraved. Humans inherit original sin from their first father, Adam. Humans are naturally inclined to reject God. Without God’s acting first, one would not naturally choose to follow Christ. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (NIV)” In Romans, Paul quotes from the Psalms to emphasize that “ ‘There is no one righteous, not even one: there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God’” (Romans 3:11, NIV)
2. Unconditional election: God in his inexplicable grace and good pleasure chose those whom he foreknew to be elected to eternal life. Ephesians 1:4 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (NIV).
3. Limited atonement: Christ’s death on the cross was effective and necessary to save only those persons whom God chose to give eternal life. Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “ ‘You do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish … (10:26-28a, NIV) and “ ‘… I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine…’” (17:9b-10a, NIV).
4. Irrestible grace: God’s calling one to salvation is entirely effectual and absolutely certain. Those who are called will believe. Paul writes of the new converts at Antioch, “… all who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48b, NIV).
5. Perseverance of the saints: God preserves those whom He chooses so that they may persevere. Whatever God requires of His elect, He is faithful to equip His elect to accomplish. Paul writes, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV) and “… God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV).

For a greater understanding of Calvinist doctrine (and terms often used interchangeably, “Reformed theology” or “doctrines of grace”), read contemporary theologians R.C. Sproul or Michael S. Horton.

John Calvin, 1509-1564

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