I love the Doctrines of Grace for one primary reason: God's sovereign grace.
My purpose in writing this post is not to argue for the truths of these doctrines, but rather to explain why I cherish them. Like the 5 solas, these doctrines magnify the glory of God in Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, I love them.
A while ago I wrote a somewhat tongue-in-cheek post about renaming the TULIP. My renamed points (which I still like) are Utter Inability, Sovereign Election, Particular Redemption, Effective Grace, and Preservation of the Saints. Regrettably, this leads to an acronym of "USPEP," and that just won't catch on.
A while ago I wrote a somewhat tongue-in-cheek post about renaming the TULIP. My renamed points (which I still like) are Utter Inability, Sovereign Election, Particular Redemption, Effective Grace, and Preservation of the Saints. Regrettably, this leads to an acronym of "USPEP," and that just won't catch on.
What do I love about the doctrines? Let me explain.
1. Total Depravity
This doctrine does not mean that man is as evil as he can possibly be. Rather, it proposes that man is corrupted by sin in every area of his being. Because of this corruption, he is utterly unable to turn to God in repentance and faith. I cherish this truth for two reasons. First, I believe the bible teaches it. Second, it corresponds to my life experience. Additionally, it places God in position as the only One who can save; if God doesn't do it, then it will not happen.
2. Unconditional Election
God sovereignly elects, or chooses, who He saves. The choice is unconditional in that it does not depend at all on any characteristic within the people saved. It certainly doesn't depend on any good within them. It is sovereign election based upon God's good pleasure. This election is a tremendous gift because no sinful person deserves to be saved whatsoever. God would be completely just in sending all of us to Hell. Rather, in His great mercy, He chooses to save some from the wrath they deserve.
3. Limited Atonement
This is the one point that I would like to rename. The reason is that "limited atonement" sounds like there is something lacking in Christ's atoning work - and we all know that isn't the case. I prefer the name "Particular Redemption." This means that Christ's atoning work is applied by God to particular people: the people He has elected. This is a real atonement, meaning that it actually saves (in contrast to a universal atonement that only potentially saves). I cherish this truth because it reassures me that God has done all the work of salvation, and it doesn't depend upon me.
4. Irresistible Grace
For us Americans who want to be free in all things, the thought of something "irresistible" may seem negative. However, when that something is the amazing grace of God, we can be thrilled that we cannot resist it. Another way of thinking about this truth is that God's calling is effective. Those He elects, atones for, and calls never fail to respond in repentance and faith.
5. Perseverance of the Saints
This describes the wonderful truth that those saved by God will persevere to the end. "Preservation of the saints" may be a more accurate term because it is God who does the preserving. He holds us in His grace and does not fail in our salvation. This in no way suggests that we don't have to put forth effort in oder to walk in increasing holiness; rather, it simply states that those God has chosen to save will never lose that salvation.
In the end, I believe the Doctrines of Grace magnify the glory of God through the work of Jesus Christ. They declare that God does all the work of salvation and that God alone saves. Therefore, He is due all the honor.
Although I will not separate from other Christians who reject some or all of these doctrines, my hope is that all followers of Jesus will embrace them. They all point straight to the wonder and majesty of our triune God in His saving of sinners for His infinite glory.
5 comments:
Eric,
And again! Amen!
To love the TULIP is to love something beatiful!
Eric,
I can't hang with you on the Calvinism thing. In my humble opinion, much like the Arminian position, it only looks at half of the equation, then picks up stones and throws them at the other half.
Clearly, in scripture, God is sovereign over salvation, and provides all that is necessary: even the faith to believe. Clearly, in scripture, people have to choose to accept that free gift of salvation. I think it's so hard to reconcile those two concepts in our fallen, limited understanding, that we grab onto one, and assume that the other must be false. Have you fallen into tradition in you soteriology (just slightly tongue-in-cheek)?
My challenge to you is to consider all of scripture, and pray about it, and I will too.
Blessings,
Jeff
Bobby,
Amen brother. The key is that these truths magnify our triune God. It's all up to Him, and He has done it! Praise His name!
Jeff,
Brother, it looks like this is just one of those places we'll have to disagree. That's fine.
This has been an interesting theological journey for me. I was raised in a Wesleyan-Arminian background that emphasized the free will of man in salvation. After I had been in seminary for about a year, I really started to study the issue in scripture. I prayed over it as well. The more I read, the more I saw the sovereignty of God over salvation.
I noticed something else interesting. While man is certainly responsible to repent and believe, I can't find anywhere in scripture that says that man has free will or the ultimate choice.
The Doctrines of Grace do not imply that man doesn't have to respond to the gospel. They do indicate that God is sovereign over who does.
We're all dead in our trespasses and sins with hearts of stone. God in His great grace selects some to save to his glory. I cherish and praise Him for this.
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