Perseverance of the Saints – The P of “TULIP”

What the Calvinist says about Perseverance of the Saints: (Taken from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1985/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/#Grace)

We mean that the saints will and must persevere in the obedience which comes from faith. Election is unconditional, but glorification is not. There are many warnings in Scripture that those who do not hold fast to Christ can be lost in the end.

This means that the ministry of the word is God's instrument in the preservation of faith as well as the begetting of faith. We do not breathe easy after a person has prayed to receive Christ, as though we can be assured from our perspective that they are now beyond the reach of the evil one. There is a fight of faith to be fought. We must endure to the end in faith if we are to be saved.

This is why we believe in eternal security--namely, the eternal security of the elect. The implication is that God will so work that those whom he has chosen for eternal salvation will be enabled by him to persevere in faith to the end and fulfill, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the requirements for obedience.

Nevertheless, we must also own up to the fact that our final salvation is made contingent upon the subsequent obedience which comes from faith. The way these two truths fit together is that we are justified through our first act of faith because God sees in it (like he can see the tree in an acorn) the embryo of a life of faith. This is why those who do not lead a life of faith with its inevitable fruit of obedience simply bear witness to the fact that their first act of faith was not genuine.

We are not left to ourselves and our assurance is very largely rooted in the sovereign love of God to perform that which he has called us to do.

Therefore we should be zealous to make our calling and election sure.

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Most people claiming to be a less than five point Calvinist say they agree with the teaching of the Perseverance of the Saints. In order to come to this decision they reject Calvinist definitions and embrace definitions they invent. This causes confusion about what is meant or what the person believes. In order to understand the term properly, you must go to the people in this system and ask for their definitions.

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Confusion abounds in the Calvinist explanation of the Perseverance of the Saints when they say, “…God will so work that those whom he has chosen for eternal salvation will be enabled by him to persevere in faith to the end…” and then saying, “…our final salvation is made contingent upon the subsequent obedience which comes from faith.”

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Even if we are, according to them, Unconditionally Elected, are included in the Limited Atonement, we come to have faith because of our Election, and we are not left to ourselves because of the power of the Holy Spirit, BUT then they say our final salvation is contingent on works? This is being said by a Calvinist? Should they have not said, “…our final salvation is made evident by the subsequent obedience…” and not, “…made contingent upon…”?

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For most Calvinists, Perseverance of the Saints is a direct result of the other points of Calvinism. According to their view, God has chosen the elect from before the foundation of the world. Since only the elect have their sin forgiven through the Limited Atonement of Christ, and the blood of Christ is effectual only for the elect, only the elect will have a persevering relationship with Christ. According to the Calvinists, if someone “falls away” it shows they never were chosen in the first place.

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So how can they say, “…our final salvation is made contingent upon the subsequent obedience which comes from faith…”? How can that statement fall into alignment with their view of God’s Unconditional Election? It can’t. Or how can it mesh with their understanding of God’s sovereignty? It doesn’t. As an out they say obedience comes from faith, and faith only is given to the elect, so only the elect will have faith, but they don’t stop there.

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In one place they say salvation is 100% God and 0% man, then describe Perseverance as some mixture of God and man, maybe a 50/50 or a 60/40 ratio, if you are saved. Remember, according to the Calvinist, “There is a fight of faith to be fought. We must endure to the end in faith if we are to be saved.” Sounds like an erroneous Arminian view of salvation retained by works, to me.

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Do I believe a person can loose his salvation? No. Do I believe retention of a person’s salvation is based upon his behavior? No. Does the Bible teach either of these ideas? No. Do I embrace the Calvinist teaching of “Perseverance of the Saints”? No. Why not? What does the Bible teach?

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Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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2Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

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John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

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Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

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Clearly once you are truly saved, you are always saved. There is no loss of salvation to those who have salvation. We are secure by the blood of Christ and the strength of God’s Word.

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If someone was claiming to be saved because they were chosen, how could they have any confidence in their sanctification? A Calvinist has no real ground to stand on when claiming salvation because the ultimate test will come at judgment and then it is too late. Until judgment, a Calvinist can only hope they have been chosen.

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I know I am saved, not because of what I have done but because I have placed my faith in what Christ has done for me. I was given the promise: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 and Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I did that and based upon the strength of God’s Holy and Infallible Word, I am saved.

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Now that I am saved I have the confidence of God’s promise, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29 and then there is 1John 3:2-3, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

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Additionally, I know God will actively “help” me to become more like Christ as He said in Hebrews 12:6-11:

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“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

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I rest secure in the knowledge I am in Christ and He is in me because if I have truly committed my life to Christ and repented of my sin, there is a relationship that can never be broken. This is not the Perseverance of the Saints but the Perseverance of the Promise.

Irresistible Grace – The I of “TULIP”

What the Calvinist says about Irresistible Grace: (Taken from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1985/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/#Grace)

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The doctrine of irresistible grace does not mean that every influence of the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted. It means that the Holy Spirit can overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible.

The doctrine of irresistible grace means that God is sovereign and can overcome all resistance when he wills. "Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases" (Psalm 115:3). When God undertakes to fulfill his sovereign purpose, no one can successfully resist him.

More specifically irresistible grace refers to the sovereign work of God to overcome the rebellion of our heart and bring us to faith in Christ so that we can be saved. If our doctrine of total depravity is true, there can be no salvation without the reality of irresistible grace. If we are dead in our sins, totally unable to submit to God, then we will never believe in Christ unless God overcomes our rebellion.
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Now we come to two huge issues with Calvinism’s view of God: First, God’s sovereignty dictates and empowers every action of man, and second, God’s call to salvation, because of His sovereignty, is irresistible.

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Before we delve into these two issues let me again draw your attention to their claim. They said, “If our doctrine of total depravity is true, there can be no salvation without the reality of irresistible grace.” As stated, the tulip of Calvinism must contain every petal or it does not exist. There is no three-point or four-point Calvinist. If you agree with the Calvinists on just one of their points, in the Calvinist way of understanding, you have bought the whole tulip.

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Back to the issues at hand, the sovereignty of God and God’s irresistible call to salvation. One more clarification is necessary here. It is impossible to read the Bible and believe God is anything less than totally sovereign. God is totally sovereign. God is completely sovereign. God does whatever He pleases anytime He pleases.

Scripture is abundantly clear about God’s sovereignty. I have no issues accepting the fact of God’s sovereignty. I do not accept the Calvinist version of God’s sovereignty. Calvinism defines God’s sovereignty as God’s complete control over every thought and movement of every living being at all times.

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To the Calvinist, especially John Piper, if God is not controlling and directing every person, every animal, every dust mite, and the direction of every hair on your body, then God is somehow less than completely sovereign. John Piper likes to say there is only one will of God, the perfect will of God and everything happening is at the center of His will. This is not a scriptural view of God’s sovereignty. Need some proof?

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Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

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Did you notice the phrase, “to see what he would call them”? As God made the animals He brought them to Adam to be named. Of course God knew what Adam would call them, but there is something God did to give Adam the ability of choice. Since God is totally sovereign, is He unable to give man the ability to choose? Is a King less sovereign when His subjects exercise the choice He gives them? Is one verse not enough?

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How about this passage:

Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

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When Lucifer rebelled did it make God less of a King? No. Was God less sovereign when Lucifer became full of pride and rebellion? Of course not. Actually this shows God’s sovereign power and how it remains in spite of rebellion. Did God’s sovereignty have to be the reason for Lucifer’s fall? By no means.

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According to the Calvinist view, God, because His sovereignty requires complete control of everything all the time, is the author of sin. How absurd. Calvinists believe God was in complete control of Lucifer’s thoughts and actions, even when Lucifer rebelled.

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Calvinists have a problem understanding the difference between being in control and taking control. Biblical sovereignty shows God is in control even when He does not control.

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When God allows another being to make a choice (and I did not use the Armenian concept of “free will” because it is just as wrong) God does not loose any of His power or authority. When I, as a Father, allow my children to make a choice, I am not any less of a Father. In fact, when my child makes a wrong choice, I am given the opportunity to show the strength of my authority and my “sovereignty” as the head of the family. Their disobedience is not my preference nor is it my will. In fact I am saddened by my opportunity to show my authority in the face of disobedience.

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The Bible has plenty of examples showing the total sovereignty of God does not require God to dictate every movement and every thought of man. Look at the three times Paul tried to go to Asia. Look at how Peter wrongly replaced Judas with Matthias. Look how Peter wrongly associated himself with the Jews and Paul had to correct him. Does this show God’s complete control of every detail? I believe it shows the sovereignty of God by allowing men to make wrong choices and yet God is still in control, even when He did not control the minutia.

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With this understanding of God’s sovereignty, we are now ready to look at the Calvinist idea of Irresistible Grace. Look at what they say again, “More specifically irresistible grace refers to the sovereign work of God to overcome the rebellion of our heart and bring us to faith in Christ so that we can be saved. If our doctrine of total depravity is true, there can be no salvation without the reality of irresistible grace.”

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Does God sometimes call a person in an almost irresistible way? Yes. The testimony of Paul will verify the near irresistibility of God’s call. Does the conversion of Paul prove the position of Irresistible Grace in the life of every believer? No.

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The only way for irresistible grace to conform to the Bible is to use it in a logical sense. For example, I am saved because I did not resist God’s grace. In fact, we are all saved because we did not resist God’s grace. So for us (the Christians) we can say we found God’s grace to be irresistible. Not because we could not resist, but because we did not resist.

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This is not the understanding of the Calvinist. According to the Calvinist, when God elects someone to salvation He will continually present Himself in ways and times the elect unsaved person will find impossible to resist. Man is considered to be so Totally Depraved God must make His grace irresistible or else man will not be saved. If there is one small opportunity for man to resist God’s grace, he will because of his Total Depravity.

The only saving grace for the Totally Depraved must be, according to the Calvinist, Irresistible Grace.

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What does the Bible say?

Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

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Matthew 22:2-3 - The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

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Proverbs 1:23-25 - Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

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Acts 7:51 - Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

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Isaiah 55:6-7 - Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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Romans 1:20-21 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

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Scripture is clear on this issue. God’s grace is resistible. Man is responsible for his choice and man’s choice does not negate the sovereignty of God. God is sovereign and man is able to choose and bears the responsibility of his choice alone. When man chooses sin and bears the consequences of sin, God is still just as sovereign as He ever was.

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If you read the original statement closely there is a hint of contradiction. This opposing view is visible in their statement: “When God undertakes to fulfill his sovereign purpose, no one can successfully resist him.” See it? “When God undertakes to fulfill his sovereign purpose…” So are they saying God does not always work to fulfill His sovereign purpose? In their understanding of things, if God does not control everything, He is not completely sovereign. This is simply not true.

Limited Atonement – The L of “TULIP”

What the Calvinist says about Limited Atonement: (Taken from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1985/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/#Grace)

The term "limited atonement" addresses the question, "For whom did Christ die?" But behind the question of the extent of the atonement lies the equally important question about the nature of the atonement. What did Christ actually achieve on the cross for those for whom he died?

If you say that he died for every human being in the same way, then you have to define the nature of the atonement very differently than you would if you believed that Christ only died for those who actually believe. In the first case you would believe that the death of Christ did not actually save anybody; it only made all men savable. It did not actually remove God's punitive wrath from anyone, but instead created a place where people could come and find mercy—IF they could accomplish their own new birth and bring themselves to faith without the irresistible grace of God.

For if Christ died for all men in the same way then he did not purchase regenerating grace for those who are saved. They must regenerate themselves and bring themselves to faith. Then and only then do they become partakers of the benefits of the cross.

In other words if you believe that Christ died for all men in the same way, then the benefits of the cross cannot include the mercy by which we are brought to faith, because then all men would be brought to faith, but they aren't. But if the mercy by which we are brought to faith (irresistible grace) is not part of what Christ purchased on the cross, then we are left to save ourselves from the bondage of sin, the hardness of heart, the blindness of corruption, and the wrath of God.

In the Calvinist view Jesus only died for those he Unconditionally Elected. According to them there are only two choices, either someone is saved by the total activity of God or they are saved by the total activity of man.

Read again their claim in the last paragraph describing what remains if Limited Atonement is not true. According to their explanation, Jesus not only purchased salvation, He also purchased the means of delivering salvation. Where do they get that out of God’s Word?

They unsuccessfully try to use Scripture to support their position like Mark 10:45, Matthew 26:28 and Hebrews 9:28, but none of these passages speak about Christ purchasing the means of delivering salvation.

In fact, Matthew 26:28 says, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The blood of Christ was shed, not for the means of delivery of salvation but for the remission of sins. Even Hebrews 9:28 said, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many…”. Again, no mention of the method of delivery of salvation.

In Hebrews we are given an analogy, a comparison, between what happened in the fall and what happened on the Cross. Let’s take a few minutes to examine the passage:

Romans 5:12-16 says: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The analogy begins with showing how sin was applied to the entire human race, by one man.

13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Sin is the transgression of the law. Where God has not established law, sin is not imputed.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Although no one else ate of the Tree of Knowledge, they were still going to die because of the sin nature handed down through the generations. Notice the final phrase: “…who is the figure of him that was to come.” Here comes the comparison.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Observe here the term used, “free gift.” If someone has a deadly disease and I purchase them a free (free to them, expensive to me) gift what good will it do them if they refuse the offer? No good at all. Must someone accept a free gift? No. If someone refuses a free gift does their refusal mean they will ultimately get the gift by working for it? No.

Also pay careful attention to the use of the term, “many.” “For if through the offence of one many be dead…” means how many are dead? A few or all? All. Therefore the gift, purchased by Jesus Christ has abounded to the same number impacted by the sin, “many.” The term, “many” does not exclude the meaning of “all.”

Does, “Many of my children are in the house,” cancel the possibility they are all in the house? No. Or if I say, “The sun arose on many days,” am I saying the sun did not rise on some days? No. “Many” does not have to exclude the possibility of “all”.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

The gift, the free gift, is not like the sin. Adam sinned once and his judgment led to the condemnation of all (many sins). In contrast, the many sins did not need many payments. The one free gift provides justification for the many (all) offences (sins). When a sinner is saved, how many of their sins are forgiven? Many? Yes, since we have already seen many is inclusive of the term all and not necessarily exclusive.

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

“They which receive abundance of grace…” are not receiving the means of delivering salvation, it is salvation. Righteousness for mankind is only possible after salvation has occurred.

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Here again is the comparison: condemnation came upon all men; by Christ the free gift (free to us, costly to Him) came upon ALL men. Is this saying all men receive the free gift? No. The free gift came upon them by being accessibile.

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Here we are again, when one man disobeyed, how many were made sinners? Many? Yes! Was there anyone who was not made a sinner? No. How many will be made righteous? Many? Yes! Is there any sinner Christ did not die to save? No. Just as many as were made sinners, those are the ones made righteous (all who believe).

Does the passage above mean all people will be saved? Of course not! Just because all people can be saved does not mean all people will be saved. It means all people have the opportunity to be saved because of the payment Jesus made for all sin.

Look at John 3:16 from the Analytical-Literal Translation: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten [or, unique] Son, so that every [one] believing [or, trusting] in Him shall not perish, _but_ shall be having eternal life!”

Calvinists misunderstand the application of the death of Christ. The death of Jesus Christ must apply to the entire human race just as the sin of Adam. Through one man, Adam, sin and death came to the entire human race. The one God-man, Jesus Christ, died once to purchase redemption for those same people.

Just as Adam’s sin was a one time event having eternal consequences for all, so too Jesus’ payment was a one time event offering eternal forgiveness as wide as the curse was found.

“Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:25-26

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1Corinthians 15:21-22

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

1John 4:14-15

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1Timothy 2:5-6

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2Corinthians 5:14-15

Just as Adam in his sinless state had the ability to choose sin, sinful man has the ability to choose salvation. How? Because of Christ. Christ calls, Christ draws, Christ initiates, Christ paid, Christ convicts and when man responds in repentance and faith, Christ chooses him.

I close here with one final passage from Isaiah 53:

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Unlimited Atonement –Unlimited Love – Unlimited Grace – Amazing Grace!

Unconditional Election – The U of “TULIP”

Unconditional Election – The U of “TULIP”

What the Calvinist says about Unconditional Election: (Taken from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1985/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/#Grace)

If all of us are so depraved that we cannot come to God without being born again by the irresistible grace of God, and if this particular grace is purchased by Christ on the cross, then it is clear that the salvation of any of us is owing to God's election.

Election refers to God's choosing whom to save. It is unconditional in that there is no condition man must meet before God chooses to save him. Man is dead in trespasses and sins. So there is no condition he can meet before God chooses to save him from his deadness.

We are not saying that final salvation is unconditional. It is not. We must meet the condition of faith in Christ in order to inherit eternal life. But faith is not a condition for election. Just the reverse. Election is a condition for faith. It is because God chose us before the foundation of the world that he purchases our redemption at the cross and quickens us with irresistible grace and brings us to faith.

The TULIP of Calvinism is a single “flower”. I recognize there are five “petals” making this flower but they are inter-related. If you have one, you have them all. If you remove one, you invalidate them all.

I have said it before, and I will say it again here, there are no “4 point Calvinists” or “3 point Calvinists.” There are Calvinists or non-Calvinists, you are, or you are not, there is no ground in between. It is the same with the Arminian perspective, either you are or you are not. If you are not in either camp, like me, why not claim to be a Biblicist or a Bible-ite or a Biblican or even a Biblocrat, but don’t try to claim parts of an inseparable doctrine.

If you are claiming to be something other than a “5 point Calvinist” you must have changed the their definition of the points. Either you have made it something more palatable for your theology, or you have redefined the terms in order to find some “common ground” where there is none.

Calvinism is a single “flower”, take away any of the “petals” and the flower wilts into a pile of dust. John Piper has successfully added two leaves to this “flower” which are logical assertions to TULIP, but nothing can be taken away with sacrificing the structural integrity of the whole.

Unconditional Election is made of two parts: God does not use any criteria for choosing those He has chosen, and God does the choosing then comes faith. Notice again how the Calvinist uses the term unconditional: “We must meet the condition of faith in Christ in order to inherit eternal life. But faith is not a condition for election. Just the reverse. Election is a condition for faith.”

Do you see what they are saying here? 1) Faith is the condition to salvation; 2) Faith comes after election; 3) If there is no election, there is no faith; 4) Election happened before the world began. Now put that together with two points from the previous post about Total Depravity: “Depravity affects every human.” and “Man’s inability to submit to God and do good is total.”

So, let’s put together everything we have so far:
A) A person is elected before the world begins;

B) When that person is born they are Totally Depraved although they are elected; (If you are elected to become saved, how can you be TOTALLY Depraved?)

C) Because of their election, they grow in their understanding and faith, but they are still Totally Depraved and they are unable to submit to God and do good; (Again there must either be a violation of Total Depravity or a violation of their statement, “We must meet the condition of faith in Christ in order to inherit eternal life.”) (Remember, in Unconditional Election our faith is the fruit of God’s election so in effect we don’t meet any condition, God meets the conditions.)

D) Eventually this person comes to faith, a faith they can not resist, because of God’s effectual call and election. When this person finally, and eventually, comes to saving faith he is not doing anything good, because salvation has its beginning and ending in God and not man.

Are you confused yet? In Calvinism, prior to the act of salvation, the entire race of man is totally depraved, even the elect. The elect may gain in their knowledge and understanding of God, and the salvation available through Jesus Christ, but this is not considered a good act because of Total Depravity.

The second half to the position of Unconditional Election is the belief of Reprobation. (John Piper’s sixth point of Calvinism) Reprobation is the logical understanding coming from the idea that since God elected some to salvation and Heaven, then those unelected are “elected” to be forever lost and burn in Hell.

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) in Chapter 10, article IV says it this way: “Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come to Christ, and therefore can not be saved: …” (Chapter 10, Article IV)

The Westminster Confession of Faith also states: “Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth.” (Chapter 10, Article III) This recognizes the effect of being elected prior to birth means some infants, dying while an infant, are elected to Heaven while the rest are elected to burn in Hell. This is a painfully sad misunderstanding of God and the Scriptures.

This stands in stark contrast to the Word of God in several verses:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Peter 3:9

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2:11

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:15-17

Finally, if Unconditional Election is taught by God’s Word as the Calvinist describes, how can one make his election either more or less sure as in 2 Peter 1:10-11? Or what about Romans 4:13 or 10:1-15?

In Calvinism these passages make no sense.

God’s Salvation is available to all. God does call people, draw people and choose people to be saved, but the choice takes place after man calls on the Lord. How else could 1Timothy 2:4 be true when it says, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Total Depravity – The T of “TULIP”

What the Calvinist says about Total Depravity: (Taken from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1985/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/#Grace)

Human Depravity Is Total in at Least Five Senses

1) Depravity affects every human.

2) Our rebellion or hardness against God is total, that is, apart from the grace of God
there is no delight in the holiness of God, and there is no glad submission to the
sovereign authority of God.

3) In his total rebellion everything man does is sin.

4) Man’s inability to submit to God and do good is total.

5) Our rebellion is totally deserving of eternal punishment.

It is hard to exaggerate the importance of admitting our condition to be this bad. If we think of ourselves as basically good or even less than totally at odds with God, our grasp of the work of God in redemption will be defective. But if we humble ourselves under this terrible truth of our total depravity, we will be in a position to see and appreciate the glory and wonder of the work of God discussed in the next four points.

Calvinists use a variety of Scripture to support each of these five points. Since we know God’s Word is true, if these points are properly interpreting Scripture, there should be no contradiction with Scripture found in other places, as long as they are interpreted properly.

Genesis 3:6-23 tells us about sin entering the world and the punishment of sin. Look closely at the events of that day:

First, Man and Woman were created without a sinful, fallen nature. According to the Calvinist, once sin happened, Man and Woman were “Totally Depraved”. Now examine closely what happened when man was in his “Totally Depraved” state.

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

I am not claiming Adam after he sinned was still sinless. I am only asking for a fair evaluation of the facts. Although Adam sinned he: 1) Covered his nakedness; 2) Recognized God’s voice; 3) Did not ignore his sinful status; 4) Obediently answered God’s question; and 5) Feared God’s consequences.

I understand Adam used inappropriate materials (fig leaves) for his covering, but he still committed an act that God also did. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21 Also take into consideration, God never corrected Man for making clothing.

Ignoring all Adam’s other actions, and focusing in on this one act, the making of clothing, was this action sin? Was it an act of “total rebellion”? Was man unable to do any good? Did this action totally deserve eternal punishment?

Additionally, take into account the fact God did the exact same action, make clothing, for Man and Woman. Consider also man’s need to make future garments. When Man made a garment for his children, was this a sinful act or not? According to the Scriptures, man would have made future clothing without being specifically commanded to do so by God.

To better understand what happened, think about this: God created man as a three-part being. God made man with a body, a mind, and a soul. The body is the physical, the mind is the cognitive, and the soul is spiritual. All of these parts constitute one being and all were made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7; 2:15-25)

God told Adam: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17

When man ate of the fruit, man immediately died. Did man’s body die? No, not instantly. Did man’s mind die? No, he could still think. It was man’s soul that died and then needed to be born again.

Man’s sin did not erase the image of God found in man’s mind. This is not only confirmed by the events surrounding the day of man’s first sin, but by Paul in Romans.

Romans 1:19-21 says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Does this passage support item number 3: “In his total rebellion everything man does is sin.” No. Does it support item number 4: “Man’s inability to submit to God and do good is total.” No. Is Total Depravity supported by the entire Word of God? NO!

Remember, we must allow the Calvinists to define their own terms. What would be the benefit of everyone having their own definition of “Total Depravity”? We must allow the definition of the entire TULIP to have its origin in the Calvinist camp.

Before you quickly label me an Arminian let me say, they are equally in contradiction with many biblical doctrines. I reject the Arminian position of “Natural Ability” as much as I reject Total Depravity. As I will explain in future articles, I am neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian.

Until next time – Keep Studying Scripture!