Help Wanted...

As a part of my self-education in all things Christian, I have set myself the daunting goal of writing a short thesis on a variety of topics. This is a theological exercise aimed at drawing nearer to God and maximising my own learning.

As my first self-imposed labour, I have decided to tackle the five points of Calvinism, also known by its acrostic: TULIP.

And I need your help!

You may ask yourself, how can I help you, dearest Jaco? I’m glad you asked.

1. Reply to this post with all your questions and challenges to the five points. 2. Write down scriptural arguments against them. 3. If you only disagree with some of them, state which ones you agree with, and why them.

Please be as brutal as possible, I have thick skin and do not offend easily. Remember this is in order to help me better understand what I believe and to be a better Christian. It would be great if we can keep it to the five points however, since those are my first focal points.

For those who do not know what the five points are:

Total Depravity – This means that every part of man has been touched by the fall of Adam. It states that there is no part of fallen man that desires or longs for God. It doesn’t mean that we can never do anything good but rather that every part of our being has been corrupted by the fall and there is no “Godly remnant” in our heart from which we can act or turn to God.

Unconditional Election – This means that man plays no part in becoming part of God’s elect. The entire salvific work is 100% God’s. We do not choose God, he chooses us. Not because of who we are or what we’ve done but because of His sovereign will.

Limited Atonement – Christ paid the penalty only for the sin of the elect, not for everyone who ever lived. Therefore, though Christ’s blood was sufficient for all it, it does not apply to all but only to those who God has elected.

Irresistible Grace – This means that when God bestows his gift of Grace in an effort to save that man, he will not fail, because his grace makes that man willing to receive that gift. This does not talk about God’s will, but rather about his Grace as it applies to salvation.

Perseverance of the Saints – God will keep his elect eternally secure. No one who is truly saved will fall away from salvation. Those who seem to fall away were never regenerated. This does not mean Christians will never fall into sin, it just means that those who are elect, will return to the fold, and those who are not, won’t.

I purposely did not add any Scripture just yet, but if you prefer to have those, or if you want a fuller explanation on these doctrines, feel free to look up RC Sproul, James White, or John Macarthur’s treatment of the topics on YouTube.