TULIP by Calvinism? Is it biblical or just a mere invention of John Calvin to deceived many?

What I will label as "Classic 5 point Calvinism" states the following doctrinal beliefs, and uses the helpful acrostic (T-U-L-I-P) to remember them: T=Total Depravity of man; U=Unconditional election; L=Limited Atonement; I=Irresistible grace; P=Perseverance of the Saints. In this case, if classic Calvinism is correct, then the 'I' in particular leads to the inexorable conclusion that God creates most to send them to hell. If an individual cannot resist God's grace (the 'I'), and God elects only a few to salvation (Matt. 7:13-14), then clearly he elects most to damnation without their ever having a chance to make a genuine choice. This is tight logic with no room for equivocation and the non-contradictory Calvinist is forced to admit this. In addition, the 'L' (limited atonement, meaning that Jesus only died for those who are actually saved, and not for all people of all times) is shown to be false by many scripture, not the least of which are John 3:16, or 1 John 2:2.

Due to the fact that the classic 5 point Calvinist position leads to the conclusion that God purposely creates people knowing they will have no choice in avoiding hell (only give/direct His ‘irresistible grace’ to very few), I reject this position since the teachings in the scripture regarding His mercy would contradict this conclusion (Deut. 4:31; Jer. 3:12). It is true that all who pass the age of accountability deserve to go to hell, for all are born in sin and all freely choose to sin and thereby ratify their position as Adam's rebellious descendants. However, if those who pass the age of accountability are not given the ability to respond to God's mercy in order to be saved, then the unavoidable conclusion is that God continues to create the vast majority of people knowing they will have no choice but to be condemned to hell, since He will not direct His "irresistible grace" on them (a concept not taught in scripture). This conclusion leads to impugning the three most important characteristics (from man's perspective at least) of God's character - His love, mercy and forgiveness. In addition, scripture contradicts this position (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:3-4). The Calvinistic notion that Adam's sin is to blame for our inability to be able to respond to God's mercy is inconsistent with scripture (Ezekiel 18 et al). Adam’s sin affects all who are born after him and gives them a predisposition of pride and unbelief which deserves God’s just condemnation, but God’s abundant compassion makes a Way for all who will choose to respond to it

Calvin was among some of the most evil and vile humans who have ever drawn breath on this God's earth. According to history they have more blood on their hands than most serial killers.

On October 27, 1553 John Calvin, the founder of Calvinism, had Michael Servetus, the Spanish physician, burned at the stake just outside of Geneva for his doctrinal heresies!(1) Hence, the originator of the popular doctrine of "once saved, always saved" (known in certain circles as "the perseverance of the saints") violated the cry of the Reformation -- "Sola Scriptura" -- by murdering a doctrinal heretic without Scriptural justification. This event was something Calvin had considered long before Servetus was even captured, for Calvin wrote his friend, Farel, on February 13, 1546 (seven years prior to Servetus' arrest) and went on record as saying:

"If he [Servetus] comes [to Geneva], I shall never let him go out alive if my authority has weight."(2)

Evidently, in that day Calvin's authority in Geneva, Switzerland had ultimate "weight." This is why some referred to Geneva as the "Rome of Protestantism"(3) and to Calvin as the "Protestant 'Pope' of Geneva."(4)

During Servetus' trial, Calvin wrote:

"I hope that the verdict will call for the death penalty."(5)

All this reveals a side of John Calvin that is not well-known or very appealing, to say the least! Obviously, he had a prolonged, murderous hate in his heart and was willing to violate Scripture to put another to death and in a most cruel way. Although Calvin consented to Servetus' request to be beheaded, he acquiesced to the mode of execution employed. But why did Calvin have a death wish for Servetus?

You can judges him by his fruit....

Key parts of TULIP are unbiblical doctrines by Calvin that deceive many.

Unconditional Election is the claim that God's favor is arbitrary. Jesus' said that when he was lifted up, he would call ALL men to himself, not an arbitrary few. He told the disciples that they were his friends if they kept his commandments. That's not unconditional.

Irresistible Grace is the claim that God overwhelms our free will to make his "elected" love him. In fact, God's love is not at all irresistable because he has such profound respect for our freedom that he will not overwhelm us, even with knowledge of himself. Recall that he told the disciples to shake the dust from their sandals rather than call down fire from heaven against Christ's enemies. He said, "Freely you have received, now freely give."

Cheers,

Bruce

It's biblical. But it's not representative of the totality of the biblical message. Calvin began with a fundamental premise: God is absolutely sovereign over his creation (which is certainly true). All the rest of his theology flows from this fountainhead. The problem, if there is one, with Calvinism is that it doesn't take seriously our partnership with God in our salvation. The passages of scripture that mention this are either ignored or explained away. Calvin created a sort of 'canon within the canon'.

As I said, TULIP is biblical in that it can be supported from scripture, but as a whole, I believe it distorts the biblical witness.

peace

I agree with TULIP, but I know plenty of others will find ways to say its not true. Either way, it just a way of thinking about God. Im not sure any human has that figured out completely right because, well, were only human. I choose to think about God that way because it makes since to me and gives me strength in Him, not myself. Most importantly, it doesn't take anything away form the important saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that is vital. I think alot of people Judge this theoloy without looking closely at it. For example, everyone points out that P- "means once saved always saved." They think that if thats true then it means you can be saved, then fall away and still go to heaven. NOT true! If you study, it actually means that if you are TRULY and Fully saved, you will always be drawn back to GOD. He cant undie on a cross for you! I would argue those who "fall away" that the Bible talks about were not ever really truly saved, only tricked into a since of false salvation (also talked about in the BIBLE). Well, I could go on forever, but really, like I said earlier, its just a way of thinking. Im sure its flawed, but so is every other way of thinking. We'll find out what truth really is one day when we meet Jesus face to face.

As a Catholic Charismatic priest, I would declare it an invention of the Great Reformer John Calvin, but would never impinge his motives. He believed what he taught.

Faith without works is dead.

I had a real Conversion not an election

God Forgave me

F I G

I likes figs better than tulips i guess

It was him trying to make sense out of his religion.

Calvin was steeped in Manichaeism and Gnosticism, both declared heresies by the Church. He probably never realized how deeply his Christian faith was tainted by Greek determinism.

I'm sure he didn't deliberatly set out to deceive people.

Original Sin isn't exactly biblical... it's not inherited...

Once saved always saved... goes against scripture... every single author warns against falling away at least once.

Looks pretty biblical to me... although people who look at the bible only from mans perspective seem to dislike it....

Total Depravity (Total Inability)

Total Depravity is probably the most misunderstood tenet of Calvinism. When Calvinists speak of humans as "totally depraved," they are making an extensive, rather than an intensive statement. The effect of the fall upon man is that sin has extended to every part of his personality -- his thinking, his emotions, and his will. Not necessarily that he is intensely sinful, but that sin has extended to his entire being.

The unregenerate (unsaved) man is dead in his sins (Romans 5:12). Without the power of the Holy Spirit, the natural man is blind and deaf to the message of the gospel (Mark 4:11f). This is why Total Depravity has also been called "Total Inability." The man without a knowledge of God will never come to this knowledge without God's making him alive through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).

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U

Unconditional Election

Unconditional Election is the doctrine which states that God chose those whom he was pleased to bring to a knowledge of himself, not based upon any merit shown by the object of his grace and not based upon his looking forward to discover who would "accept" the offer of the gospel. God has elected, based solely upon the counsel of his own will, some for glory and others for damnation (Romans 9:15,21). He has done this act before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-8).

This doctrine does not rule out, however, man's responsibility to believe in the redeeming work of God the Son (John 3:16-18). Scripture presents a tension between God's sovereignty in salvation, and man's responsibility to believe which it does not try to resolve. Both are true -- to deny man's responsibility is to affirm an unbiblical hyper-calvinism; to deny God's sovereignty is to affirm an unbiblical Arminianism.

The elect are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). Thus, though good works will never bridge the gulf between man and God that was formed in the Fall, good works are a result of God's saving grace. This is what Peter means when he admonishes the Christian reader to make his "calling" and "election" sure (2 Peter 1:10). Bearing the fruit of good works is an indication that God has sown seeds of grace in fertile soil.

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L

Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption)

Limited Atonement is a doctrine offered in answer to the question, "for whose sins did Christ atone?" The Bible teaches that Christ died for those whom God gave him to save (John 17:9). Christ died, indeed, for many people, but not all (Matthew 26:28). Specifically, Christ died for the invisible Church -- the sum total of all those who would ever rightly bear the name "Christian" (Ephesians 5:25).

This doctrine often finds many objections, mostly from those who think that Limited Atonement does damage to evangelism. We have already seen that Christ will not lose any that the father has given to him (John 6:37). Christ's death was not a death of potential atonement for all people. Believing that Jesus' death was a potential, symbolic atonement for anyone who might possibly, in the future, accept him trivializes Christ's act of atonement. Christ died to atone for specific sins of specific sinners. Christ died to make holy the church. He did not atone for all men, because obviously all men are not saved. Evangelism is actually lifted up in this doctrine, for the evangelist may tell his congregation that Christ died for sinners, and that he will not lose any of those for whom he died!

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I

Irresistible Grace

The result of God's Irresistible Grace is the certain response by the elect to the inward call of the Holy Spirit, when the outward call is given by the evangelist or minister of the Word of God. Christ, himself, teaches that all whom God has elected will come to a knowledge of him (John 6:37). Men come to Christ in salvation when the Father calls them (John 6:44), and the very Spirit of God leads God's beloved to repentance (Romans 8:14). What a comfort it is to know that the gospel of Christ will penetrate our hard, sinful hearts and wondrously save us through the gracious inward call of the Holy Spirit (I Peter 5:10)!

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P

Perseverance of the Saints

Perseverance of the Saints is a doctrine which states that the saints (those whom God has saved) will remain in God's hand until they are glorified and brought to abide with him in heaven. Romans 8:28-39 makes it clear that when a person truly has been regenerated by God, he will remain in God's stead. The work of sanctification which God has brought about in his elect will continue unt