Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
Only 1 of these points do I agree with, the perseverance of the saints.
T - Total Depravity
According to Calvanism, mankind is so sinful, that we are like a dead person. We do not have the ability to raise ourselves up and look to Christ.
Man is certainly depraved. Romans 3:23,24 tells us "23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
However, the verses before this tell us "21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,"
We can see that yes, we are living in a depraved body, but one that can be saved by God's grace through our faith in Christ. Our righteousness, our redemption, comes from God's grace that comes by faith.
U - Unconditional Election
According to Calvinism, before the foundations of the world were laid, God had ordained those that would be saved and those who would not be. Those elected for salvation would have no choice but to become followers of God.
This goes against what the Bible teaches. Christ says in the Great Commission "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." He tells us to make disciples of all nations, not just those who are saved. John 3:16 tells us that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is available to all who believe. Paul writes in 1st Timothy " I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." God wants all men to come to him. Our God is a loving God who desires a relationship with all people. We are his creation, created so that we may be in relation with him. Why would God create humans just to cast them into hell? This goes against the very nature of God.
L - Limited Atonement
Limited atonement says that Christ died only for the elect. This again goes against the nature of God. As we saw earlier, God desires all to come to him. We come to him through the redeeming blood of Christ. Paul tells us in Romans "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." This shows us that Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins. Paul also writes in 2nd Corinthians "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." In order for God to want all to come to God, Christ had to die for all people. Not all are saved, because not all believe
I - Irresistible Grace
According to irresistible grace, those who are elected by God cannot refuse his grace. Obviously, in order to believe this, one must believe in election. Without election, this becomes a mute point. God is certainly powerful enough to do so, but God has choosen to give us free will.
P - Perseverance of the Saints
This is the one point that I would agree with Calvinism and disagree with Arminism. Paul tells us in Romans "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." When we believe, the Spirit comes in us to dwell. This is seen as a promise of our eternal life. We are still humans and will always continue to sin, but can find assurance in knowing that despite our limitations, the power of God's grace can overcome.
This is not seen to be a thorough review or a thorough counter to Calvinism, just a chance for me to explore my views in relation to TULIP.
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