| Some of the main points of Calvinism, or | | | | and without respect to the individual whom he |
| Reformed Theology, can be summarized in the | | | | elects. |
| acronym TULIP. The letters of the acronym | | | | This election is done to a certain number of |
| stand for what has become know as the five | | | | individuals, a principle summarized in the third point |
| points of Calvinism. These points help to succinctly | | | | of Calvinism 'limited atonement.' What Calvinists |
| describe the fundamental theological assertions of | | | | mean by this is that Jesus Christ, the means of |
| the Reformed faith and were crystallized in the | | | | salvation to all who believe, died only for those |
| Cannons of Dort, which were issued in 1618-19 as | | | | that God has elected unconditionally. |
| a response to Arminianism. | | | | His death is only atones for the sins of the elect |
| The first letter of the TULIP acronym stands for | | | | because that is the only group of people that |
| 'total depravity.' This is the notion that man is | | | | Jesus died for. Christ did not die for those that will |
| completely and utterly hopeless in his pursuit of | | | | eventually spend eternity in hell for the rejection |
| self-made righteousness. At conception, the sin of | | | | of the glory of God because that would mean |
| Adam hangs over the head of the new person | | | | that Christ's death was insufficient to save those |
| condemning them to death and life of complete | | | | individuals. |
| and utter God rejection. | | | | The next point of Calvinism is that the call of |
| They are incapable of faith and thereby barred | | | | Christ is an 'irresistible grace.' When God elects |
| from pleasing God in any way. Even though | | | | you, you are unable to resist that election. God is |
| actions may appear to have merit or | | | | so beautiful and so marvelous that when he wills |
| praiseworthiness, these actions have none and | | | | that we should perceive a portion of him as he |
| only serve to condemn the individual to death | | | | truly is that our human hearts, so starved of true |
| since they are born of a complete disregard for | | | | life and beauty in this sin infested world, are |
| God and his splendor. In sum, man is in a very | | | | forever locked to him in a bond of affection and |
| deep pit of his own making with absolutely no | | | | devotion. Momentary lapses in sin are not able to |
| way for him to get out under his own power. | | | | keep us away from the all encompassing love of |
| But there is hope in the second letter of the | | | | God. |
| TULIP acronym, 'unconditional election.' God, in his | | | | This leads to the final point of Calvinism - the |
| great mercy and love, has chosen to save men | | | | 'perseverance of the saints.' What a Calvinist |
| from the greatness of their sin and misery. This | | | | means by this is that all those that God has truly |
| choosing certain men to receive this benefit is | | | | elected will persevere in the faith despite |
| called 'election.' It is 'unconditional' because there is | | | | momentary setbacks of sin or suffering. |
| nothing in the object of the election that | | | | They will continually be transformed more and |
| somehow moved the subject to make that | | | | more into the image of Christ and become more |
| particular election. | | | | and more obedient to the law of God, not as a |
| Instead, it is despite the condition of the object | | | | way to justify themselves before him, but |
| that God chooses to elect any given man. The | | | | because they know that sin hinders their |
| fallen nature of man puts us at war with God so | | | | experience of joy in Christ and because it |
| this act of God is one where he brings | | | | dishonors the God that saved them. The true |
| reconciliation and peace between himself and his | | | | believer will stop sinning and act righteously. |
| enemy. Calvinism asserts that he does this freely | | | | |