August 22, 2019
READING TIME: 3-4 MINUTES
Yesterday I addressed what TULIP (Calvinism’s 5 points) is. Today, I’ll address if it’s biblical. In short, Calvinism’s five points are logical, but in my opinion, they are not biblical. Below is my concise critique of TULIP.
TOTAL DEPRAVITY
The Bible does not teach that regeneration precedes faith or that faith is a gift of God. The expression “dead in sin” in Ephesians 2:1 does not mean that an unbeliever’s spirit is dead and he is in effect like a cadaver or a rock. The Bible does teach that of his initiative, an unbeliever would never seek God. An unbeliever can respond to the natural revelation he receives (Romans 1:19-20) and to the Spirit’s conviction (John 16:8-11), “wooing,” and drawing ministry (John 6:44; 12:32). Any unbeliever who diligently seeks after God will find Him (Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6). There is a major difference between an unbeliever not seeking God of his initiative, and an unbeliever lacking the ability to seek after God. Another important distinction is between “seeking” and “responding.” God seeks and initiates and an unbeliever can respond.
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
I believe that God chooses individuals for salvation, but He did not choose them apart from their own choice to believe in Him. In other words, nowhere in Scripture does it say He chooses people to believe or predestined them to believe. Rather, He chooses to save those who place their faith or trust in His Son. Since God is omniscient and has always known all things, there was never a time when He did not know that we would believe and so it would have been impossible for Him to choose us apart from His knowledge of our choice to believe in His Son. I don’t believe His foreknowledge was causative as Calvinism teaches (i.e., He didn’t make us believe); however, it is exhaustive (i.e., He must have foreknown all those who would believe in Christ) (I’m thankful to Pastor/Dr. Tom Stegall for this statement on divine election; personal correspondence December 14, 2017).
LIMITED ATONEMENT
Messiah Jesus died for the entire world, but His death is only effective to those who believe in the gospel and place their faith in Him. In other words, Jesus’s death made salvation potentially possible for everyone (Isaiah 53:6; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; 3:16-17; 4:42; 8:12; Romans 5:6, 18; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:2), but only those who hear the gospel of Christ and place their faith in Him find the atonement efficacious for them (John 10:11, 15; 15:13; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32-35; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:28). We are commanded to proclaim the Gospel to all human beings (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; cf. 17:30; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Salvation is potentially possible and available to all, but it becomes actual only for the elect. A distinction should be made between the provisional benefits of the Messiah’s death and the appropriation of those blessings by the elect. The provision is unlimited, but the application of it is limited. Many will be unwilling to receive the gospel and will reject the offer of salvation, so the benefits of Messiah’s death are not applied to them (John 5:40; cf. Matthew 23:37) (For this section on “unlimited atonement,” I am indebted to Ron Rhodes’ excellent two-part article in the Chafer Theological Seminary Journal (volumes 2:2 and 2:3, Fall 1996 and Winter 1996) on “The Extent of the Atonement: Limited Atonement Versus Unlimited Atonement”).
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
I do not believe that the Holy Spirit forcibly imposes eternal life on unbelievers apart from their choice (in an irresistible manner). An unbeliever can resist the conviction, “wooing,” and drawing ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not overrule human freedom.
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
I believe the focus should not be on a believer’s perseverance, endurance, and performance. The proper focus should be on Christ’s ability to keep His promise to preserve His saints. It takes God at His Word and rests upon His sure promises. I believe that sanctification is certainly desired, but not necessarily guaranteed or automatic.