What is Calvinism?
(Part I)
By Allan E. McNabb

“Calvinism” refers to five major doctrines of John Calvin.

Who was John Calvin?
John Calvin was one of the most prominent theologians of the Protestant Reformation.  He was born in France on July 10, 1509 and died in Geneva on May 27, 1564.

Calvin began studying to become a Catholic priest.  But being more interested in law and the humanities, he was not ordained.  On November 1, 1533, Calvin gave a speech attacking the Catholic Church and calling for reforms.  From that time forward, he became the most influential Reformation theologian.  Today, many Protestant denominations adhere to Calvin's doctrines to some degree (some adhere to one of his doctrines, while others adhere to all five).

While Calvin was in Geneva, the Reformed Churches (Presbyterian) accepted his doctrine as though they were infallible.  Calvin is, therefore, known as the founder of the Reformed Churches (Presbyterian Church).

Overview of Calvinism
John Calvin's five main doctrines were adopted as the foundation of the Reformed system of doctrine.  They are conveyed in the acronym "TULIP", which was developed by adherents of Calvinism after Calvin’s death.

  • Total inability (total hereditary depravity, original sin):  man is totally depraved, the guilt of sin passes from generation to generation originating with Adam.
  • Unconditional election (predestination):  God has predestined certain people to be saved.
  • Limited atonement:  Christ died only for the people who had been predestined.
  • Infallible grace (irresistible grace):  the Holy Spirit operates directly upon people, who have been predestined, to convert them.
  • Perseverance of the saints:  it is impossible for the elect (the predestined) to fall away once they have been converted.

Total Inability (Total Hereditary Depravity, Original Sin)
While John Calvin studied to become a Catholic priest, he undoubtedly learned the Catholic doctrine of original sin.  Roman Catholics believe that babies are "born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin" (rf. Catechism of the Catholic Church).  John Calvin's doctrine of original sin and sprinkling babies is closely related to the Catholic Church's doctrine (rf. Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapters 15 and 16).

Calvin is known as the founder of the Reformed Churches (Presbyterian Church).  He taught that each person's life perished, "having been extinguished by the sin of Adam" (Calvin's Commentary on 1 John 1:1), and that each person has a depraved nature (rf. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin).  Therefore, Presbyterians believe that each person inherits original sin from Adam and is born lost in sin being hostile to God, slaves to Satan, and servants to sin (rf. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Book of Confessions).

The doctrine of total inability (i.e., total hereditary depravity, original sin) is not taught in the Bible.  God tells us that we do not inherit anyone’s sin (Ezek. 18:20; cf. 2 Ki. 14:6).  We sin after being tempted when we are carried away and enticed by our own lusts (Ja. 1:13-15).

Jesus teaches us that we must become as little children to enter the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:3-4; Lk. 18:16-17) — we must be as infants regarding evil (1 Cor. 14:20).  Babies are not born as sinners (as Calvinists would have us believe).  If they die, they are safe,  because  they  have no sin.

Unconditional Election (Predestination)
Calvin's doctrine of unconditional election (predestination) contends that God has predestined some people to be saved and some people to be lost. This doctrine maintains that man does not have a free will.

Calvin taught that God did not elect (predestine) people by just looking into the future to see who would and would not obey.  Calvin taught that God literally elected some people to be saved and  allows everyone else to be lost.  Commenting on Matt. 11:25-26, Calvin said, "This verse is impressive in two respects. The fact that not all receive the gospel is not due to the impotence of God, who could readily make all creatures submit to his empire. Secondly, that some arrive at faith, while others remain stupefied and obstinate, is due to his free election. He draws some to himself and passes others by; and in so doing, he himself distinguishes among men, whose situation by nature is the same" (Calvin Commentary VII:  Election and Predestination).

Calvin harmonizes his doctrine of unconditional election (predestination) teaching that:

  • Everyone is born a sinner (total inability, original sin).
  • God elects (predestines) those who will be saved (unconditional election).
  • Christ, therefore, just died for the people who had been predestined to be saved (limited atonement).
  • The Holy Spirit operates directly upon the people who have been predestined to salvation and converts them (infallible grace).  He does not work on those who are not predestined to salvation allowing them to be lost.
  • It is impossible for the elect (the predestined) to fall away once they are converted (perseverance of the saints, once saved always saved).

Calvin's doctrine of unconditional election (predestination) is not taught in the Bible.  God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4) and does not wish for anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9; cf. Ezek. 18:23).  Christians can sin willfully (Heb. 10:26) and are commanded to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).  Christians are not predestined to salvation — they can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4; Heb. 12:15).