The 5 Points of Calvinism
There is scarcely another word that arouses more suspicion, mistrust, and even animosity among professing Christians than the word "Calvinism". And yet, much of the zeal which is levelled against this system and those who hold and preach it is most certainly a "zeal which is not according to knowledge". These great truths bound together and called "Calvinistic" were the backbone of our "fathers in the faith", and the strength of the Church in a more glorious era than our own, be clearly seen.
We must take our starting point in Holland in the year 1610. James Arminius, a Dutch professor, had just died and his teaching had just been formulated into five main points of doctrine by his followers - know as "Arminians". Up to this point, the churches of Holland had subscribed to the "Belgic" and "Heidelberg" confessions of faith which were both set squarely on the teaching of the Reformation. The Arminians wanted to change this position, however, and they presented their Five Points in the form of a Remonstrance - or protest - to the Dutch Parliament.
The Five Points of Arminianism were, broadly speaking, as follows: -
(1) Free Will or Human Ability. This taught that man, although affected by the fall, was not totally incapable of choosing spiritual good, and was able to exercise faith in God to receive the Gospel and thus bring himself into possession of salvation. Faith is man's "contribution" in salvation.
(2) Conditional Election. This taught that God laid His hand upon those individuals whom He KNEW - or "Foresaw" would respond to the Gospel. God "elected" those that He saw would "want" to be saved of their own free will and in their natural fallen state - which was, of course, according to the first point of Arminianism - not completely fallen.
(3) Universal Redemption or General Atonement. This taught that Christ died to "save all men"; but, only in a potential fashion. Christ's death enabled God to pardon sinners, but only on condition that they believed.
(4) The Rejection of the Holy Spirit. This taught that the Holy Spirit, as He began to work in a life, bringing that person to Christ, could be resisted and His purposes frustrated. He could not impart life unless the sinner was willing to have this life imparted.
(5) Falling from Grace. This taught that man could fall from the position of his salvation. It is, of course, the logical and natural outcome of the system. If man must take the initiative in his salvation, he must retain the same.
The Five Points of Arminianism were presented to the State and a National Synod of the Church was called to meet in Dort in 1618 to examine the teaching of Arminius in the light of the Scriptures. The Synod of Dort sat for 154 sessions over a period of 7 months, but at the end could find no ground on which to reconcile the Arminian viewpoint with that expounded in the word of God. Re-affirming the position, so unmistakably put forth at the Reformation, and formulated by the great French Theologian, John Calvin, the Synod of Dort issued its Five Points of Calvinism to answer the Arminian system. These are sometimes set forth in an acrostic on the word TULIP, as follows: –
As can be readily seen, these set themselves in complete opposition to the Five Points of Arminianism.T — Total Depravity, or Total Inability.
U — Unconditional Election.
L — Limited Atonement, or Particular Redemption.
I — Irresistable Grace, or the Efficacious call of the Spiri
P — Perseverance of the Saints.
- Man is totally unable to save himself on account of the fall in the Garden of Eden being a total fall.
- If unable to save himself, then God must save.
- If God must save, then God must be free to save whom He will.
- If God has decreed to save whom He will, then it is for those that Christ died.
- If Christ died for them, then the Holy Spirit will effectually draw them into salvation.
- If salvation from the beginning then is of God, to the end it will also be of God and the saints will persevere.
These truths stand firm on the Word of God, and upon them the Church of Christ has stood most firm in any age of her existence. Charles Haddon Spurgeon thundered forth … "It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines that are called by nickname CALVINISM, but which are surely and verily the revealed truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus". May we all see it in this light.
This article appeared in the Wicket Gate in the January 1968 edition. The article was later developed into a booklet entitled "The Five Points of Calvinism" and published by the Banner of Truth. The booklet is still in print.
I have also been informed that it is available in some 14 different languages.
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This Page Title – The Five Points of Calvinism The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 49 – placed on line July 2004 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk Labelled with ICRA |
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