What is Calvinism which is also known as the Doctrines of Grace? As it is a controversial subject in Christian circles, some say that it does not matter and that we should not discuss such topics to preserve Christian unity. Are they correct? What should we think and how should we act as Christians?
Let us embark on a short series of introductory articles on these topics and hope and pray that it will help Christians to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Doctrines of Grace matter because truth matters and true and deep unity is only found in the purity of the revelation of the Word of God, rightly interpreted.
What is Calvinism?
I intend to be simple, clear, and straight to the point in the articles of this series. Calvinism is the name that was given to the teachings of John Calvin after his death in regard to the truths of salvation. The teachings preceded John Calvin (16th century AD) and went all the way back to Saint Augustine (4th century AD) and indeed to the Apostle Paul (1st century AD) and Moses (15th century BC) themselves. Calvinism was named after Calvin because he was the most articulate and renown systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation. Calvin himself would not have pointed to his name for his teachings but to the Scripture alone.
It is yet helpful to call it Calvinism today because in a single word, we can summarize a true interpretation of Scripture on a multiplicity of important doctrines regarding salvation such as predestination, election, regeneration, atonement, the sovereignty of God, and the nature of man. It is akin to the word "Trinity", which also is not in the Bible, but speaks of a biblical concept about God in a single word instead of lengthy definitions and clarifications taking thirty minutes. The concept Calvinism is similarly thoroughly biblical.
Calvinism is today opposed to Arminianism, and although some people say that they accept neither side and are in between, the truth is that all the in-betweens are various shades of Arminianism
Calvinism and its five points of doctrine came to be known by the memory-aid acronym "TULIP" where each letter stands for a doctrine. The TULIP was formulated in response to five points of false doctrines which were taught by opponents of the teachings of the Protestant Reformers. These opponents were the students of a Dutch minister named Jacob Arminius, and the name Arminianism (after the last name of its teacher, as for Calvin) has been retained to summarize their teachings.
Hence, Calvinism is today opposed to Arminianism, and although some people say that they accept neither side and are in between, the truth is that all the in-betweens are various shades of Arminianism and a refusal of the sovereignty of God in salvation. Besides, in my experience, most people (though not all) who claim to be in between Calvinism and Arminianism are not really knowledgeable of the biblical arguments of either side and simply take that position for lack of a conviction on the matters.
Here are the five points of Calvinism:
The "T" of the TULIP stands for Total Depravity: This is the doctrine of the truth about man (biblical anthropology) before conversion.
The "U" of the TULIP stands for Unconditional Election: The truth about the work of God the Father in salvation.
The "L" of the TULIP stands for Limited Atonement: The Truth about the Work of God the Son in salvation.
The "I" of the TULIP stands for Irresistible Grace: The truth about the work of God the Spirit in salvation.
The "P" of the TULIP stands for Perseverance of the Saints: The truth about the security of salvation.
Hence the first letter of the TULIP speaks of the nature of man (completely depraved) before salvation and therefore the need of the work of God to save Him. God then intervenes with the triune work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the next three letters) in eternal election, past atonement of sin on the cross, and present regeneration of the dead sinner by the Spirit. Finally, the last letter of the TULIP speaks of the nature of man after salvation and the unbreakable salvation given to the saint who is unfailingly preserved by God for heaven. These are amazing truths of divine sovereign grace that are critical for all Christians to understand and appreciate. This leads us to the next question to briefly address.
Why Does Calvinism Matter?
Calvinism matters because the gospel and salvation matter and this is what the Doctrines of Grace are all about.
The great Long Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon famously argued that Calvinism is just a nickname for biblical Christianity when he wrote: "there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor."[A Defense of Calvinism by C.H. Spurgeon, reference: https://reformed.org/calvinism/a-defense-of-calvinism-by-c-h-spurgeon/]
Calvinism, in the end, means that God alone gets all the glory in salvation.
Besides, some people say that the doctrine of election is not important. Yet, we all must beg to differ since God deemed election so important that He placed it in the Holy Scriptures from the time of Moses with the election of Israel (Deuteronomy 7) to the time of Paul with the election of the Church (Romans 9-11).
Furthermore, as will become more and more apparent after each article, Calvinism, in the end, means that God alone gets all the glory in salvation. We will see that man does not choose God, but God alone chooses depraved sinners who reject Him, and therefore He gets all the glory. Psalm 115:1 and 3 come to mind here: "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness [...] Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."
These statements of glory and sovereignty seem obvious but are actually only valid with Calvinism and not with Arminianism. This has implications for how we evangelize, thank God for salvation, and live under the sovereign protective hand of God who cannot lose any of His elects.
In our next post, we will examine the first point of Calvinism: Total Depravity.
Blessings in Christ,
Jonas Croissant
Pastor-Elder
Acts Church of Maricopa
Contact & Sunday service information: https://www.actschurchmaricopa.com/location
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