Author	Thread: What is Calvinism and is it biblical?
dljrn04 View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 02:26 PM Answer: The five points of Calvinism can be summarized by the acronym TULIP. T stands for total depravity, U for unconditional election, L for limited atonement, I for irresistible grace, and P for perseverance of the saints. Here are the definitions and Scripture references Calvinists use to defend their beliefs: Total Depravity - As a result of Adam�s fall, the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18). Unconditional Election - Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate a response to God; therefore, in eternity past God 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 precise ones God has elected 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). While all these doctrines have a biblical basis, many people reject all or some of them. So-called �four-point Calvinists� accept Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints as biblical doctrines. Man is definitely sinful and incapable of believing in God on his own. God elects people based on His will alone � election is not based on any merit in the person chosen. All those whom God has chosen will come to faith. All those who are truly born-again will persevere in their faith. As for Limited Atonement, however, four-point Calvinists believe that atonement in unlimited, arguing that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for the sins of the elect. �And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world� (1 John 2:2). Other verses in opposition to limited atonement are John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:6; and 2 Peter 2:1. The five-point Calvinists, however, see problems with four-point Calvinism. First, they argue, if Total Depravity is true, then Unlimited Atonement cannot possibly be true because, if Jesus died for the sins of every person, then whether or not His death is applicable to an individual depends on whether or not that person �accepts� Christ. But as we have seen from the above description of Total Depravity, man in his natural state has no capacity whatsoever to choose God, nor does he want to. In addition, if Unlimited Atonement is true, then hell is full of people for whom Christ died. He shed His blood in vain for them. To the five-point Calvinist, this is unthinkable. Please note: this article is only a brief summary of the five points of Calvinism. For a more in in-depth look, please visit the following pages: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Chosen But Free, revised edition: A Balanced View of God's Sovereignty and Free Will by Norm Geisler and The Potter's Freedom by James White. Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/calvinism.html#ixzz2bbUaeXxa Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 07:10 PM Teach - Is there any way that I can help you reconcile or understand more fully what Calvinism actually teaches or do you just think that the whole darn thing is heretical? Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 07:15 PM I know the whole thing is heretical What so ever is not of faith is sin. Post Reply
teach_ib View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 07:25 PM I've studied Calvinism along with many other doctrines...there is nothing you can write that would convince me about anything taught in Calvinism. And according to what you write, it wouldn't matter because either I am elected or not...so when and if God is ready for me to learn what you teach He will reveal it to me. In the mean time, I will continue to rely on His infallible Word that states if I call on His name, He will save me. And I will teach the groped of His death, burial, and resurrection...and the need for belief and repentance. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love towards us; in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 07:49 PM Every time that I read your posts, I am reminded of my youth. I was brought up in a "free will" Baptist church. Their whole message began to unravel for me even while I was very young. By the time that I reached my teens, I had become totally disappointed in their impotent god. Of course, I eventually left that church when I was older but as a result of all of the false teaching that I received there, I also left the faith. But God........ Post Reply
teach_ib View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 08:09 PM I grew up in a 'free will' baptist church, too. I have studied and listened and Earned over time time that Romans 6:23b...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord...means eternal life, not just until I sin again again. John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.� 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.� 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?� 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?� 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.� 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. Post Reply
teach_ib View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 08:11 PM ****I grew up in a 'free will' baptist church, too. I have studied and listened and learned . Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 08:17 PM I know what you learned. I learned it, too. :laugh: I think I just came out from the womb a "Calvinist" so I could never reconcile what I was being taught. In time, and through my own Bible study, the Lord brought me to understanding on these foundational issues. All glory to Him. Post Reply
teach_ib View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 08:28 PM I came out from the womb a sinner...and thankfully, I learned that Jesus died to pay for my sins...and the sins of the world and that He stands ready to serve as my substitute for the death penalty. He gave me His gift of eternal life the first time I asked as a child...and even though Satan will want to plant seeds of doubt, I can turn to God's promises that once I have accepted His gift of eternal life, it cannot be taken away. No matter what I do, even if I step out of His will, My eternal life is still there for me. I may miss out on some of His blessings because of my poor choices, but I will not miss out on eternal life. Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 08:42 PM Yeah, the only problem lies in the fact that the Bible just doesn't really teach that. :laugh: Post Reply
teach_ib View Profile History	What is Calvinism and is it biblical? Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 08:50 PM Actually, the Bible does teach that: Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?� 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,� 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Post Reply

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