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.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:16-28�
16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.�
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.�
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.�
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:�
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of M
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
�23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:�
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.�
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.�
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;�
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.�
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
2 Timothy 1:12-14 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
The last scripture you posted was the whole of Calvanism, God does the work not you and your decision. It is God he does the work, he completes it. You are called to live upright before him.
If your salvation, in whole or in part, is looked upon by you as something that is dependent upon, or determined by, your will or your works, you are lost, a Christless, graceless soul, an idolater (Gal. 5:1-4). You may talk about God and grace, Christ and redemption, the Holy Spirit and regeneration, but you really worship yourself. Your trust is in your decision. Your confidence is in your goodness. Your peace is derived not from what Christ has done, but from what you have done. In your opinion the thing that separates you from the damned is not the will of God, the work of Christ and the grace of the Spirit, but your own will, your own work, and your own worth.
I urge you to flee from your idolatry. Smash to pieces the gods of free-will, good works and human worth. And trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as your Savior. Seek salvation on the basis of grace alone, in Christ alone, through faith alone!
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
IWA and Donna, I must humbly point out that Calvinists assume a great deal about people who claim to believe in "free will" as well. We're not all arminians, and we're not all lost in idolatry. I truly believe that God has led me here, and anyone would be hard pressed to attempt to prove otherwise.
The fact is that if one is not worshiping the God of the Bible, they are idolators. It is impossible to reconcile that the Bible presents two entirely different views of God and that some people worship one and some worship another.
I have ZERO doubt that many here believe that I am not a Christian.
"Donna, I must humbly point out that Calvinists assume a great deal about people who claim to believe in "free will" as well."
I assume nothing. The bible says salvation is of God from beginning to end, he starts it he completed it. I believe God and his word. I warn the uninstructed, and ignorant to the truth of God's holy infallible word. If your salvation, in whole or in part, is looked upon by you as something that is dependent upon, or determined by, your will or your works, you are lost, a Christless, graceless soul, an idolater (Gal. 5:1-4). You may talk about God and grace, Christ and redemption, the Holy Spirit and regeneration, but you really worship yourself. Your trust is in your decision. Your confidence is in your goodness. Your peace is derived not from what Christ has done, but from what you have done. In your opinion the thing that separates you from the damned is not the will of God, the work of Christ and the grace of the Spirit, but your own will, your own work, and your own worth.
I urge you to flee from your idolatry. Smash to pieces the gods of free-will, good works and human worth. And trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as your Savior. Seek salvation on the basis of grace alone, in Christ alone, through faith alone!
It is not up to me to determine who is saved or not saved.
According to the Calvinistic teachings, it doesn't matter if I 'seek salvation'. It will either find me or I am not going to make it into Heaven.
It's not about me...it's about God offering His free gift of eternal life through Jesus...I can either accept the gift He holds out or I can reject His gift. If I follow His instructions in the Bible, I can ask and receive His free gift of salvation. The verses speak for themselves...
A gift must be received to take ownership...I can hold out a gift and if the recipient doesn't receive it, it is not theirs.
