Over the years I have met many people who do not agree with the 5 points of Calvinism (the Doctrines of Grace). To be fair, I must admit that I was very un-Calvinistic until about five years ago.Some folks who do not like the 5 points simply do not like the names of some of the points. Limited Atonement in particular seems to bother many people. Therefore, I have set out to rename TULIP based on my understanding of the biblical concepts involved. I also wanted to have a little fun with it.
The only problem I have run into is that I cannot come up with a nice, neat acronym to fit the 5 points. Arrgh.
Here we go (point-by-point):
1. Total Depravity
The difficulty many people have with this point is that they think it suggests that people are as bad as they can possibly be in all areas of life. We know this is not the case because all lost people are not performing despicable acts all day long.
What must be understood is that this point means that man is corrupt is all areas of his being. Because of this, he is absolutely incapable of seeking or pursuing God on his own. In fact, he has no desire to do so. Because he is spiritually dead, he is utterly unable to turn to God.
A better term for point #1 is Utter Inability.
2. Unconditional Election
This point is clear to most people whether they agree with it or not. The point is that God elects certain people to salvation based on His own free will. He is not constrained by any thought, motivation, or act on our part. He did not look forward in time to see what we would do and then respond to that. God alone acts sovereignly.
I think a slightly better term is Sovereign Election.
3. Limited Atonement
Here is the one that a lot of people do not like. It is also a point that many do not understand.
First let me address what this point is not saying. It is not saying that Christ's sacrifice on the cross is limited in any way in its power, strength, or value.
This point is saying that the atoning work of Christ is limited in its application. It is limited to the elect. It is limited to only those who place their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus died to pay for the sins of the elect, not for the sins of all individuals in the world.
Jesus' atoning work actually (not potentially) brought about redemption for a particular people - the elect.
Therefore, a better name for this point is Particular Redemption.
4. Irresistible Grace
Here is another point that many people struggle with. Those who I have talked to do not like the word "irresistible." I must admit that it has a bit of a negative sound to it.
The meaning behind this point is that God's grace is effective. God saves whomever He chooses to save, and man cannot get in the way of this.
Therefore, a better, and more positive sounding, term is Effective Grace.
5. Perseverance of the Saints
At last we come to a concept that at least all Baptists can agree upon. The problem with this term, however, is that it implies that man is holding himself securely in salvation.
It is certainly true that man must persevere to the end to be saved. The bible makes it clear, however, that it is God who makes us persevere to the end. It is God Himself who holds us safely in our salvation.
Since God is doing the work, the term should reflect this.
An improved term is Preservation of the Saints.
If you have bothered to read this far, you probably realize that the renamed TULIP does not form an acronym we can be happy with. The result is, unfortunately, USPEP.
We can remember it this way: US can refer to us (a group of people). PEP can refer to energy or zest. So, USPEP is something we can get excited about!
O.K. - I realize that is a bit hokey, but it is the best I can do right now.
On a serious note, I do hope that we Calvinists will do our best to fully explain the 5 points to those who will listen. We must show that these points are biblical. We must speak lovingly and with humility. We must emphasize that Calvinism magnifies the glory of God.
Let's not get hung up on the names of the points, but rather stress God's glory through the concepts.
4 comments:
Eric,
Appreciated your article. I couldn't count the number of times people who have applauded a message in which I taught the five points but never mentioned Calvinism or the five points.
Those same people were vigorously (sometimes viciously)opposed to what they thought (imagined) were Calvinism and the five points.
John,
Thank you. I imagine that we will be much better off in the church if we speak humbly about God's amazing grace in salvation without using terms such as Calvinism. I'm always pleased to speak about the above points to anyone who will listen, but the names themselves aren't that critical.
Of course, I always need to remind myself that love of neighbor is more important than winning a doctrinal dispute.
Even the best explanation will not stop people from misrepresenting Calvinism (i.e. a couple of speakers at the southern baptist convention). The best way to teach Calvinism is to open the Word and proclaim it.
Arthur,
I agree with you. Within my own convention (SBC), I hear pastors misrepresent Calvinistic beliefs all the time. They either purposely set up straw man arguments or simply do not understand the doctrines of grace.
I also agree that the best way to teach Calvinism is to simply open up the bible. Since Calvinism is simply what the bible teaches, no bible texts are a problem.
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