What Is Calvinism? (Part 2)

What is Calvinism?
(Part 2)
By Allan E. McNabb

“Calvinism” refers to five major doctrines of John Calvin, who was one of the most prominent theologians of the Protestant Reformation.

Five Doctrines 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.

Review Part I
The doctrine of total inability (original sin) contends that we are sinners before birth, while in our mother’s womb. But in the Bible, we learn that we are not born sinners (Ezek. 18:20), but sin after being tempted when we are carried away and enticed by our own lusts (Ja. 1:13-15). As infants, we are sinless (Matt. 18:3-4; Lk. 18:16-17; 1 Cor. 14:20).

The doctrine of unconditional election (predestination) contends that God predestined some people to be saved and some people to be lost, maintaining that man does not have a free will. But in the Bible, we learn that God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4) and does not wish for anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9) — He hasn’t predestined anyone to be lost or to perish. Therefore, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), because we can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4; Heb. 12:15).

Limited Atonement
Five-point Calvinists believe that everyone is born in sin (original sin) and that God has predestined (unconditional election) some people to be saved and allows everyone else to be lost. Since God predestined only some people to be saved, they reason, Christ's blood only atoned (limited atonement) for the sins of the people who were predestined. The people who are not predestined to be saved have no way of being saved and are eternally lost from birth.

Calvinism's doctrine of limited atonement is not taught in the Bible. God has not predestined some people to be saved and some people to be lost. God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4) and all men to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). The Bible says that:

Christ died for all (2 Cor. 5:14-15).
Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6).
Christ died for us, while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8).
Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3).
Christ died for sins, for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18).

Jesus did not die for a limited number of people, He died for all (2 Cor. 5:14-15). He is the author (source) of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9), and invites everyone to come and be saved (Rev. 22:17). Jesus has not excluded anyone from obeying Him and being saved.

Infallible Grace
The doctrine of infallible grace (irresistible grace) asserts that the Holy Spirit operates directly upon people who were predestined, to convert them. Conversely, the Holy Spirit allegedly does not work upon the people who have not been predestined; therefore, God allows them to be lost. As a result, some denominations require people to have an esoteric spiritual experience to be saved. And, some have developed a doctrine of "praying through" to be saved.

Calvin's doctrine of infallible grace (irresistible grace) is not taught in the Bible.

First, we must remember that God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; cf. Ezek. 18:23). God has not predestined some people to be saved allowing everyone else to be lost. So, Calvin's doctrine of infallible grace is based upon a false assumption.

Second, we must realize that God works through His word to convert people (Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Th. 2:13). The Holy Spirit does not work in some mysterious way to just convert a predestined group of people, but He speaks through the word (Acts 1:16-18; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 3:7; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Bible teaches that we are born of the Spirit through God's word (Jn. 3:5-8; 1 Pet. 1:22- 23). So, the Scriptures tell us that:

The Spirit gives life and the word gives life (Jn. 6:63; Ps. 119:50, 93).
God saves through the Spirit and the word (Tit. 3:5; Ja. 1:21; cf. 1 Pet. 1:22-23).
We are washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit and the word (1 Cor. 6:11; Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26; cf. Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23).

Lastly, we must realize that every example of conversion is ascribed to the word.

Jews gladly received Peter's word and were baptized (Acts 2:40-41).
Samaritans were baptized when they believed Philip's preaching (Acts 8:12-13).
Philip preached from the Scriptures and the eunuch was baptized (Acts 8:35-39).
Saul was told what to do and was baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 9:6, 18; 22:16).
Peter spoke the words by which Cornelius would be saved and he was baptized (Acts 10:22, 33-48; 11:14).
Lydia heard the things spoken by Paul and was baptized (Acts 16:13-15).
The jailer heard the word of the Lord and was baptized (Acts 16:31-34).
The Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized (Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 15:1-2).
Men in Ephesus were baptized after Paul taught them (Acts 19:1-7).

Not only is Calvin's doctrine of infallible grace (irresistible grace) a false doctrine, but it is a doctrine of hopelessness. It erroneously asserts that God only helps a predestined group of people. Fortunately, our God is a God of love and wants everyone to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).

In Part III of this article, we will continue to investigate the five major doctrines of Calvinism.