T.U.L.I.P. The Five Points of Calvinism

Introduction and historic background

These five heads of doctrine were a result of a disagreement in the Dutch Reformed church. A few teachers, students of the late Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609, Calvin died in 1564), held different positions to the theology of the Heidelberg Catechism (which was the unifying document of the new Protestant church — by then across most of Europe — since 1563), it was accepted at Dort in 1578. The Synod of Dort met from 1618-19 to agree together on a unifying theology, and find a common solution to the complaints of the 14 Remonstrants, the followers of Arminius. There were over one hundred delegates, mostly from Holland and the Netherlands but also from other outlying countries who had an interest in the outcome. The Synod of Dort is the most significant event in the history of Calvinist-Arminian debates.

It is helpful to remember that these five points were not plucked out of thin air, nor are they meant to be a distillation of Calvin’s teaching; they were compiled, with deliberation, as a way to show the Remonstrants were misguided in their understanding of scripture and redemption. The five points of the Synod of Dort have helped to establish the distinctiveness of Reformed theology as pertaining to the doctrine of salvation.

The Remonstrants were teaching the following five points, and this is what the Synod of Dort came together to investigate. (1) The divine decree of predestination is conditional, not absolute; (2) the atonement is by nature universal; (3) man cannot of himself exercise a saving faith; (4) though the grace of God is a necessary condition of human effort it does not act irresistibly in man, and, (5) believers are able to resist sin but are not beyond the possibility of falling from grace.

The response of the Synod was to put forward five counter points, correcting the error of the Remonstrants, these became known as the five points of Calvinism, and later given the acronym TULIP, and can be summarized as follows: T is for “total depravity,” indicating human rebellion and sin; U is for “unconditional election,” God chooses whom he wills; L is for “limited atonement,” the work of Christ is for those who are elect; I is for “irresistible grace,” for those elect will be saved; finally, P is for “perseverance of the saints,” because God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, enables believers to walk in victory.

T and U of TULIP

Total Depravity is an understanding from the scriptures the rebellion of our first parents has changed the course of history and now no one is able to please the Lord and cannot keep his commandments. Now, let me be the first to say this label sounds more like a castigation, and our human response is to say, no, not me, not my family. Or, we think of a Hitler or a Stalin, each had millions killed, and we reassure ourselves, I’m not that bad. Perhaps we could call some people “fully depraved,” meaning those tyrants were really scraping the barrel. The Bible teaches that the fall of Adam has completely affected all humanity, our original condition has grossly changed in consequent to the actions of our first parents.
Now no one is able to love God with their heart, soul and mind; no one is able to fully comprehend the truth of the gospel unless it is revealed by God. People are more inclined to serve their own interests and to reject the rule of God. Due to this all people are unable, of their own volition, to turn to the Lord and repent of their sins; no one can be saved by their own choosing. This is total inability. Some selections from the witness of Scripture.

• Genesis 6:5 & 8:21 - “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually … from youth.”
• 2 Chronicles 6:36 - “there is no one who does not sin”
• Isaiah 53:6 - “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.”
• Jeremiah 13:23 - “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.”
• 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
• Mark 7:21-23 - “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

The beauty of the gospel looks all the more precious when we understand our own need of a savior. Romans 5:7-8 ”For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Let us ever remember where we came from as we press forward into the purpose of God for our lives. I think we should also remember the truth of this doctrine as we pray for our loved ones and those who don’t yet know the Lord, let us then renew our commitment to the mission of God and the Lord’s command that we make disciples.

Unconditional Election is that part of Christian doctrine that expresses the Father’s sovereign choice in choosing for himself a people who will receive salvation. This truth becomes all the more important when we learn from the scriptures all humankind has been affected by sin and sinfulness and can in no way please the Lord. Due to the fall of our first parents all humanity is unable to respond to the gospel and cannot please God. Moreover, God is just and will punish sin and sinners, so all deserve judgment for falling short of the glory of God. Yet God in his great kindness decided to choose some who would receive eternal salvation from Him. Therefore those whom God has already chosen beforehand, these are the ones to whom He reveals Himself to, wroughts faith within, regenerates and fills with His Spirit of holiness.

Unconditional election affirms that God the Father elected (chose) many individuals, those who were yet lost in sin and deserving punishment, out from His love and grace. This choosing is not from any perceived good or foresight of good works or faith, in fact there is no cause or condition from the individual that would lead them to be chosen. This act of election is unconditional and rests completely upon the benevolence of the Father.

In Ephesians 1:4-5 Paul tells the church that the Father “chose us in him [meaning Christ], before the creation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him, in love having predestined us unto sonship by adoption through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” This premise is repeated in verses nine and eleven; the Christian is chosen for holiness and predestined to sonship. John Murray wrote on these verses:

"If [Paul] meant to say anything in these expressions in verses 5, 9, and 11, it is that God’s predestination, and his will to salvation, proceeds from the pure sovereignty and absolute determination of his council. It is the unconditioned and unconditional election of God’s grace." (Plan of Salvation, 127)

The Westminster Confession closes the chapter on God’s eternal decree with the reminder that this doctrine “is to be handled with special prudence and care” (WCF III. 8). Let us consider these words carefully, remembering our place in the plan of God, praising Him for our salvation. The Westminster final sentence is worth ending on, “So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration for God, and of humility, diligence and abundant consolation, to all that sincerely obey the gospel” (WCF III. 8).

We will go over the last three (LIP) next week. Be sure to read more at the blog, I have already written a series on this subject.
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