Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically

by Beth Felker Jones

The soteriology known as five-point Calvinism was a response to Arminianism articulated at the Synod of Dort (1618–19). The five points are often summarized with the acronym TULIP, in which the letters stand for the following: Total depravity: This point reaffirms the doctrine of original sin. In Adam, all are sinners and unable to choose God. The doctrine of total depravity is often misread as a claim that there is no good in human beings, but this is not what it means. The point of the doctrine is to emphasize our complete inability to save ourselves. Unconditional election: God chooses—elects—some “according to the ‘good pleasure of his will,’ without regard to their foreseen faith.”23 Election is not based on any condition that might be met by human beings. Instead, the basis of election is God’s sovereign will. The affirmation that election is unconditional is a response to the first Arminian Remonstrant article, which sees belief and faith as the reason that God, in foreknowledge, elects some for salvation. The Calvinist fear is that this turns faith into a kind of work. Limited atonement: The atoning work of Christ is effective only for the elect. It does not apply to those who will remain in sin. Irresistible grace: The electing grace of God will not fail. It cannot be resisted. Perseverance of the saints: This fifth point goes together with irresistible grace, affirming that God will finish God’s saving work in the elect. The elect cannot fall away. The last three...