Calvinism is a stream of Reformed theology, named after John Calvin, that emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation. It is often summarized by five points (TULIP): total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints.
Detailed answer
Calvinism stresses that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace from beginning to end. Because of sin, no one seeks God on their own (total depravity); God graciously chooses to save people not because of foreseen merit (unconditional election); Christ's death effectively secures salvation for his people; God's saving grace effectively draws those he calls; and those truly saved will persevere to the end.1
Calvinism is one historic Protestant understanding of how God saves. Other faithful Christians hold Arminian or other views that place more emphasis on human free response. The debate concerns how to put together the Bible's teaching on God's sovereignty and human responsibility.2
Both Calvinists and their counterparts affirm that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, that the gospel must be preached to all, and that no one is saved apart from God's grace.3
Biblical basis
- Ephesians 1:3-14ESV
- Romans 8:28-30ESV
- John 6:37-44ESV
- Romans 9:10-24ESV
Theological explanation
Common errors
- 1.That Calvinism makes evangelism pointless — historically Calvinists have been zealous in mission, since God ordains both the ends and the means.
- 2.That it makes humans robots — Reformed theology affirms real human choices, while insisting God is sovereign over all.
- 3.That disagreeing on these points divides true Christians — sincere believers hold different views within orthodoxy.
Pastoral application
- a.Let the doctrines of grace produce humility, gratitude, and assurance, not pride or passivity.
- b.Hold convictions with charity toward fellow Christians who differ.
Notes
- 1.The five points (often remembered by the acronym TULIP) are a pedagogical summary of the Canons of Dort (1619), heads 1–5, not a full statement of Calvin's own Institutes.
- 2.John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 3.21–24, on election; compare the Arminian Remonstrance of 1610 on conditional election and resistible grace.
- 3.Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:14–17. Both Reformed and Arminian confessions affirm sola gratia and the necessity of gospel preaching.
- 4.The Canons of Dort (1619), First through Fifth Heads of Doctrine, answer the five articles of the Remonstrants point by point.
- 5.Philippians 2:12–13; Acts 2:23. Scripture attributes both divine purpose and human agency to the same events without dissolving either.
Bibliography
- Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Book 3, chapters 21–24. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960.
- Horton, Michael. For Calvinism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
- Olson, Roger E.. Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2006.
- Synod of Dort. The Canons of Dort. 1619. In The Origins of the Reformed Churches and the Synod of Dort. Grand Rapids: Baker, various eds..