Author	Thread: Is Calvinism Biblical
Moonlight7 View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 13 Jan, 2025 07:20 AM What is Calvinism and is it biblical? five points of Calvinism The five points of Calvinism can be summarized by the acronym TULIP. T stands for total depravity, U for unconditional election, L for limited atonement, I for irresistible grace, and P for perseverance of the saints. Here are the definitions and Scripture references Calvinists use to defend their beliefs: Total Depravity - As a result of Adam’s fall, the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18). Unconditional Election - Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate a response to God; therefore, in eternity past God elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man’s response (Romans 8:29-30;9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12) because man is unable to respond, nor does he want to. Limited Atonement - Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God’s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and for whom Christ died will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25). Irresistible Grace - Those whom God elected He draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37, 44; 10:16). Perseverance of the Saints - The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14). While all these doctrines have a biblical basis, many people reject all or some of them. So-called “four-point Calvinists” accept Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints as biblical doctrines. Man is definitely sinful and incapable of believing in God on his own. God elects people based on His will alone – election is not based on any merit in the person chosen. All those whom God has chosen will come to faith. All those who are truly born-again will persevere in their faith. As for Limited Atonement, however, four-point Calvinists believe that atonement is unlimited, arguing that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for the sins of the elect. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Other verses in opposition to limited atonement are John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:6; and 2 Peter 2:1. The five-point Calvinists, however, see problems with four-point Calvinism. First, they argue, if Total Depravity is true, then Unlimited Atonement cannot possibly be true because, if Jesus died for the sins of every person, then whether or not His death is applicable to an individual depends on whether or not that person “accepts” Christ. But as we have seen from the above description of Total Depravity, man in his natural state has no capacity whatsoever to choose God, nor does he want to. In addition, if Unlimited Atonement is true, then hell is full of people for whom Christ died. He shed His blood in vain for them. To the five-point Calvinist, this is unthinkable. Please note: this article is only a brief summary of the five points of Calvinism. For a more in-depth look, please visit the following pages: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. © Copyright 2002-2025 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Post Reply
Abadiah879 View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 13 Jan, 2025 08:40 AM Ignoring Romans 9 : 1 - 13 . Every human soul is predestined by God , not by man . Jacob Armenius was a total heretic who is today in Hell . Post Reply
Moonlight7 View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 13 Jan, 2025 10:29 AM The Solicitude for Israel Romans 9 chapter Romans 10 chapter The Word of Faith Brings Salvation nasb Post Reply
LittleDavid View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 13 Jan, 2025 05:15 PM Moonlight, the informative article you quoted from Got Questions merely informs, it says nothing against Calvinism. Further, nothing you’ve tried to hurl against Calvinism refutes it. You’ve only succeeded in demonstrating your misapprehension Post Reply
Moonlight7 View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 14 Jan, 2025 12:05 PM That's Just Your opinion. Post Reply
LittleDavid View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 14 Jan, 2025 01:41 PM My opinions are valid because they are fact based. That’s the difference between my opinions and yours Post Reply
Moonlight7 View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 23 Jan, 2025 12:24 PM Your opinions are not factual. Just your judgemental mindset about others You disagree with here . Post Reply
LittleDavid View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 28 Jan, 2025 08:37 AM Please put the facts on display that refute my opinions Post Reply
Moonlight7 View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 9 Feb, 2025 03:51 PM Ask Jesus to help you stop degrading His children! https://www.gotquestions.org/communicating-with-God.html Post Reply
Milkybar View Profile History	Is Calvinism Biblical Posted : 15 Mar, 2025 04:55 PM i havent read the whole article but have seen this debate in chat room here.. Firstly we need to distinguish between predetermination and predestination. Some would argue they are the same and in some dictionaries they are but in others they aren't. The following will be based on (i think the websters from memory) which says basically, predestined is where God choses everything(every thought, word,action) of everyone before we were even born. Predetermination is where God because he is outside of time knows everthing that will happen before the foundation of time. One allows for mans free will while the other doesnt. I personally believe in predetermination because i believe it encompasses more of scripture than predestination and it shows the nature of God for what we know it is. Let me explain. If God choses EVERYTHING and we dont have a choice then in the beginning when God made the world and everything in it perfect and sinless including Adam who knew no sin at that point and was in right relationship with God. If God choses everything before time then he chose Adam to sin and Adam didnt have a choice. He effectively forced Adam to sin because he had aready chosen it even before he made him. Then he goes and punishes Adam for the sin he had no choice but to commit. Not only Adam but every human after Adam including his own son who was sent to die for the sin of man, which God himself chose before time. That does not match the character of God because it is neither just nor loving. Predetermination on the other hand Go mafe Adam and the world perfect. Adam had free will and chose to sin but because God already knew he would he had a redemption plan in place already through Jesus. That is both just, because Adam payed the price for his own free will action which God had already warned him about and told him the consequences. Plus it is loving because he put in place a redemptive plan at his own expence. As far as drawing some and not others, predetermination best fits more scripture there too because it can encompass the over 20 scriptures that talk about the whosoever or that he came for all people everywhere. If God knows beforehand who will accept him and who won't then he can draw ALL who would accept him and in doing so encompass 1, his drawing us..2, the whosover will, coming for all people... and 3, our free will to chose. That way on judgement day he can justly give us our reward or punishment based on our own decision but also encompass the scriptures about him drawing rhose who will accept him. Total predestined where all things are chosen by God beforehand doesnt allow for free will and therefore just and right judgement and total free will does not allow for Gods drawing his own. Predetermination under the definition explained at the beginning allows for both Post Reply