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TULIP: What Is the Perseverance of the Saints?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

Calvinism is a neat package that flows from one doctrine to the next. If we are born depraved (T), then it makes sense that we are powerless to come to God and must be selected by Him (U). And if He selects those who are saved, it makes sense that Jesus died for them and not those whwo God rejected (L). If God has chosen an individual, it makes sense that they would not be able to reject His choice (I). And, if God has chosen that one and showered His grace upon them, then surely there is nothing that can thwart God’s decision (P). Indeed, it is a solid argument, from start to finish. The only problem, not a shred of it is from the Bible.

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TULIP: Exposing the Falsehood of Irresistible Grace

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

Does the Bible teach irresistible grace? Supporters of Calvinism believe it does. Today we’ll look at their “proof texts.”

PSALM 65:4
Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.

I’m sure Calvinists who use this believe they have found a slam dunk verse for their cause. How more plain could it be? The problem is they’ve pulled it out of context. In this Psalm, David is extolling those who serve at the temple (priests), not the doctrine of irresistible grace. Incidentally, v 2 speaks about all flesh (not a select group) coming to the Lord.

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TULIP: What is Irresistible Grace?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

The fourth tenet of Calvinism is discussed by Steele & Thomas in The Points of Calvinism in the following way:

Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only. The Spirit is in no way dependant upon their help or cooperation for success … the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ.

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TULIP: Exposing the Falsehood of Limited Atonement

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

The proponents of Calvin’s doctrine of Limited Atonement believe that the Bible supports the teaching. Herein we will look at some of the texts which are used as proof.

Matthew 20:28
“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Was Jesus limiting the scope of atonement in this text? Saying that many (not all) will be ransomed is not the same as saying the atonement is not available to all. As we noted last week, the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all (Titus 2:11), but not all are willing to deny ungodliness and live righteously (v 12).

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TULIP: What is Limited Atonement?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

Merriam-Webster aptly defines the word atonement as:

…the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. (m-w.com)

Eddie K. Garrett, a Primitive Baptist elder affirmed:

We believe that God has an elect people whom he has chosen unto eternal salvation. We believe that the atonement of Christ was for that chosen number and no one else. (The Christian Baptist, 1972)

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TULIP: Exposing the Falsehood of Unconditional Election

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

Every false doctrine has a series of Bible verses that are pulled together as support. Today we will examine the proof texts used to support the TULIP doctrine of Unconditional Election.

Ephesians 1:4, “…just as He choses us in Him before the foundation of the world…”

This and other texts speak of God choosing us from the foundation of the world or from the beginning (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Apart from their context, such verses might lend validity to the Calvinist position, but a text out of context is a pretext.

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TULIP: What Is Total Hereditary Depravity?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

This first doctrine of Calvinism deals with man’s relationship to sin. The Bible tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but Calvin’s doctrine goes beyond this. Total Hereditary Depravity (THD) says that every person is born in sin; spiritually corrupt because of Adam’s sin. We read in the Westminster Confession of Faith that Adam and Eve:

…being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity. (Westminster, Chapter VI)

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What is the TULIP Doctrine? A Simple Introduction

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

TULIP Calvinism

Though John Calvin was not a gardener (at least to the best of my knowledge he wasn’t), he is credited with planting, grooming and sharing with the world what has become to many an extremely cherished tulip. However, you will not find this tulip planted in a botanical garden somewhere; it won’t be in your neighbour’s backyard—Calvin’s tulip is a doctrinal system which has taken root in the hearts of believers throughout the world. Unfortunately, it is not a beautiful flower, but a destructive weed which has led many away from the truth of God’s word.

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