Calvinism gets its name from a French Theologian named John Calvin. Don't hold his country of origin against him...
The core tenets, brass tacks, or bare essentials of Calvinistic theology is summed up in the acrostic, T.U.L.I.P.
T – Total Depravity
It's interesting that Calvinists and Arminians agree on this core tenet of theology... They both recognize the reality of human sinfulness.
Total Depravity is the basic idea that according to the Bible, we’re all in the same condition… By nature and by choice, we’ve all SINNED against God…
The concept of "total depravity" doesn’t mean that we’re “utterly depraved.” We’re not all as bad as we “could be.” We could all probably manage to “up the ante” when it comes to sin, and commit worse sins or sin with greater frequency…
Total depravity means that we are all marred by sin… There’s not one aspect of my being that has been left “untouched” by sin… Sin has affected my mind, will, my body and my emotions…
There are scores of passages in the Bible that describe this reality.
Romans 3:10-12 (ESV), "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (Cross Reference Psalm 14)
Romans 3:23 (NIV), …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
Ephesians 1 paints a stark picture of our "BC" - or "Before Christ" state.
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV), As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...
Paul is saying, “Because of Adam’s sin, human beings enter this world spiritually DEAD… We don’t have any inclination or responsiveness to God, at all… We’re DEAD…”
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV), As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
Once again, both Calvinists and Arminians agree on this belief...
U - Unconditional Election
The “U” in TULIP stands for UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION, which basically means that when God gets ready to choose you, there are no caveats or conditions… You may be hell bent against the purpose and plan of God – like Saul before he became Paul – but because of His extravagant grace, amazing love and endless mercy, God unconditionally selects you to be a part of His purpose and plan…
L - Limited Atonement
This may be the most controversial point in the core of Calvinistic theology… In fact, some avowed Calvinists have trouble with this one… It basically teaches that when Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t die for EVERYONE… His death was only for the “elect.” The idea is that the “shed blood of Jesus” would never be “WASTED” on anyone whom God had not chosen to respond to what Christ accomplished on the cross…
I - Irresistible Grace
The “I” stands for IRRESISTIBLE GRACE… This tenet basically says that when God comes to you and chooses you, YOU WILL SAY “YES.” You won’t be able to resist the extravagant grace of God…
Think of it like this… When God sets His affection on you, your eyes will be opened! Somehow you’ll see the beauty, extravagance and magnitude of God’s grace, over against the ugliness and pain of your sin and the reality of where your sin will ultimately lead… And when you get that kind of clarity, you won't be able to HELP but respond to God’s invitation…
P - Perseverance of the Saints
This is basically the idea that once you are chosen, God will sustain your faith all the way to the end… God will make sure your faith LASTS until you ultimately reach heaven…
It’s interesting that while most Southern Baptist wouldn’t define themselves as Reformed Calvinists, they do agree with this core belief of Calvinism… It’s basically the idea of ETERNAL SECURITY… In other words, a person who was genuinely converted will be saved in the end… Their faith will remain steadfast until they reach their ultimate destination.
Here are a "few" of the things I "like" about this position:
1) First of all, it makes a REALLY BIG DEAL out of the SOVEREIGNTY of God.
People on this "team" usually see God as BIG, powerful, AWESOME, and MIGHTY and moving with purpose to accomplish His kingdom objectives in this world…
2) Second, this position makes a REALLY BIG DEAL out of God’s GRACE.
People who adhere to this position correctly understand that there is NOTHING we can do to earn our way onto God’s TEAM… If we’re a part of God’s Team, it’s because we were chosen by God… It’s because God’s grace drew us IRRESISTIBLY to the cross… It’s because God’s purposed to redeem us by the blood of Jesus Christ, and He planned our REDEMPTION in eternity past before we had done ANYTHING that could possibly merit God’s favor or grace…
I don't know what that thought does to you, but it drives me to my knees in worship and adoration...
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV), Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV), For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
In my opinion, there are some problems with this position, as well.
1) First up, what about the scores of passages that seem to indicate HUMAN CHOICE is vital?
For example: Joshua 24:15, Matthew 7:25-27, Mark 10:17-22, etc.
2) Some who subscribe to this position believe that God willed into creation and predetermined some people to suffer the eternal condemnation of hell. Isn't it difficult to reconcile this belief with passages that indicate that it's "not God's will for anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17).
3) The idea of "limited atonement" seems to be the most difficult aspect of Calvinistic theology for a growing number of adherents. Even guys like Bruce Ware and Mark Driscoll have presented nuanced positions on this core belief... (See Mark Driscoll's book and mp3 sermon download, Religion Saves and Nine Other Misconceptions; and Bruce Ware's podcast dealing with Arminianism and Calvinism via The Resurgence Podcast for more info.)
Tomorrow, I'll attempt to describe the core essentials of Arminian theology...
My purpose in posting these notes is not to "debate" the issue, but simply to describe core beliefs and point out those areas that provide encouragement and those tenets that pose possible problems...
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