What Is Calvinism? (Part 3)

What is Calvinism?
(Part 3)
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 Parts I and II
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).

The doctrine of limited atonement contends that Christ's blood only atoned for the sins of the people who were predestined. People who are not predestined have no way of being saved, and are eternally lost from birth. But in the Bible, we learn that 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).

The doctrine of infallible grace contends 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. But in the Bible, we learn 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).

Perseverance of the Satins
The doctrine of perseverance of the saints (once saved, always saved) asserts that it’s impossible for the elect (the predestined) to fall away once the Holy Spirit works to convert them. This doctrine is not taught in the Bible.

Perseverance of the saints may be the most popular of Calvin's doctrines. Yet, the Scriptures clearly teach that once someone is saved, he can be lost.

Christians can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4; Heb. 12:15).
Christians can stray from the truth (Ja. 5:19).
Some Christians will depart from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1-3; cf. Col. 2:16-23; 1 Tim. 6:21; Ja. 5:19-20).
Christians can fall away from God (1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3:12; 6:4-8 ).
The branches in Jesus that do not bear fruit are taken away, cast into the fire, and burned (Jn. 15:1-6). Because, they do not keep Jesus' commandments (Jn. 15:10).
The apostle Paul knew that he could be lost after being saved (1 Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:12-14).
Some Christians had already turned aside after Satan (i.e., fell away) during the first century (1 Tim. 5:15; 6:21).
False prophets and false teachers lead some Christians away from God by exploiting them with deceptive words (2 Pet. 2:1-22; 3:16; cf. Act 20:28-30).

Therefore, Christians are admonished to:

Obey, and work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).
Take heed lest they fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
Endure, not throwing away their confidence and shrinking back to destruction (Heb. 10:35-39).
Be nourished in the words of faith and in the sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6-10).
Take care that they are not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin having an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God (Heb. 3:6-15).
Be diligent to enter heaven, lest they fall away (Heb. 4:11).
Be diligent to make their calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10).
Exercise their senses to discern good and evil by becoming skilled in the word of righteousness (Heb. 5:12-14).

A result of this doctrine (perseverance of the saints) is that many people believe they can do anything and still be saved. Unfortunately, the eternal result is damnation.