The False Doctrine of Calvinism

John Calvin

here are few in the religious world today that would think of themselves as ”Calvinists“. Yet in reality the system of theology developed by John Calvin in the 1500’s has permeated most Protestant denominations. Though each of the five points which define Calvinism are clearly refuted by Scripture, most denominationalists accept one or more of the five. Let’s briefly examine the points in the light of Scripture.

Calvinism is sometimes referred to (by its own proponents) as the ”TULIP“ Doctrine, because the word TULIP is an acronym formed from the first letter of each of the points:

TOTAL HEREDITARY DEPRAVITY - Definition: Because of Adam’s sin, man inherits from birth a sinful nature. This nature is depraved to such a degree that man can do nothing good unless God empowers him to do good. He cannot choose good but can only choose evil.

Bible Answers

Sin cannot be inherited (Ezekiel 18:20).
Men die spiritually as Adam died because they imitate his example of disobedience (Romans 5:12).
Adam’s sin leads all men to physical death because it deprived them of the tree of life (I Cor. 15:22, Gen.3:22-24).
Children possess a nature that exemplifies subjects of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14).

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION - Definition: Since man is depraved the only way that anyone can do good, is if God elects some whom He chooses to save (and thus empower to do good). This election is unconditional, in that it is not based upon anything which man does but purely upon God’s choice. If God is the one who chooses those He will save then He is also the one who chooses the damned.

Bible Answers

God accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness (Acts 10:34,35).
God wants all men to be saved (II Peter 3:9).
God has chosen to save all those who are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6).
Only those who choose to obey the gospel are in Christ (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).

LIMITED ATONEMENT - Definition: Since salvation is based upon God’s predetermined unconditional election Christ’s death was only for the elect. He did not die for all but his atonement is limited to the elect.

Bible Answers

Christ tasted death for all men (Heb. 2:9).
He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:2).
Though not all will be saved, all could be saved if they turned to Christ (Mark 16:15,16, Acts 17:30).

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE - Definition: If men do good only because God makes them do good through the empowerment of His grace, once this grace has been bestowed upon someone it cannot be resisted.

Bible Answers

God’s grace is something in which one must continue (Acts 13:43).
God’s grace can be received in vain (II Corinthians 6:1).
God’s grace is something from which one may fall. (Galatians 5:9).
God’s grace is something in which one can choose to be strong (II Timothy 2:1).
God’s grace empowers man only in the sense that it is something that teaches man (Titus 2:11).

PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS - Definition: Since God has already unconditionally chosen all the elect whom He will save, and since the elect can in no way resist the influence of His empowering grace upon them, it follows that He will do what ever is necessary to preserve the elect unto the day of judgment.

Bible Answers

Those in Christ can be lost (Acts 8:12-22, II Peter 2:20-22).
One who stands in Christ can fall (I Corinthians 10:12).
The elect will be saved if they hold fast the word of truth (I Corinthians 15:1,2).
God preserves us through His word (Acts 20:32).

Kyle Pope

Ancient Road Publications™ http://kmpope.home.att.net