Today we start a 6-week series on one of the most heated theological debates of the last 500 years: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. In this topic we’ll talk about the nature of salvation and the interplay between God’s sovereignty and human free will. We’ll give some background on the key players in the debate: John Calvin, Jacob Arminius, and even St. Augustine. And we’ll of course introduce TULIP – the acronym that will provide a framework for the rest of this series.
TULIP
- Total Depravity. Humans without Christ are completely lost in their sins to the point that they can do no good. Sin affects every part of humanity: our will, emotions, actions, and attitudes.
- Romans 3:10-12 (NLT) As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
- Unconditional Election. God chose Christians based on nothing about them. Election is not based on any foreseen faith in humans and it certainly isn’t based on anything they do. It’s simply based on God’s will and choice.
- Romans 8:29-30 (NLT) For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
- Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
- Limited Atonement. Christ’s death only paid for the sins of the elect. In other words, the death of Christ paid for the sins of God’s true people who respond to Christ in faith and repentance, but not for the whole world.
- John 10:11 (NLT) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
- Irresistible Grace. God effectively calls you because his call cannot be resisted, nor would you want to resist it. In the moment when God calls you he also regenerates you. This is the work of the Holy Spirit coming into your life and giving you a new heart.
- John 6:37 (NLT) However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
- Perseverance of the Saints. If you are truly elected and regenerated by God then you will continue on in a life of faith until the end. You aren’t going to be perfect, but you will continue to pursue God until the end of your life.
- Ephesians 1:11-14 (NLT) Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
The following episodes in this series use the TULIP outline as a general framework for discussing the two perspectives.
Who was Calvin?
John Calvin was a French theologian and reformer who lived in the 16th century. He was born in France and studied law, but later had a religious conversion that led him to embrace Protestantism. Calvin became one of the key figures of the Protestant Reformation, along with Martin Luther. His most significant work is “Institutes of the Christian Religion,” which provided a systematic exposition of Protestant theology. Calvin’s teachings, often referred to as “Reformed” theology, emphasized the sovereignty of God, predestination, and a strong belief in the authority of the Bible. In Geneva, Switzerland, Calvin played a central role in establishing a theocratic government guided by his religious principles. Geneva became a major center for the spread of Reformed theology. Yet his strict approach to church discipline, involvement in the execution of heretics, and his influence on the theocratic government in Geneva generated opposition and controversy. John Calvin died in Geneva on May 27, 1564.
Who was Arminius?
Jacobus Arminius was a Dutch theologian and minister known for his role in developing an alternate theological system to Calvinism. Born in the Netherlands, he was deeply influenced by Reformed theology but began to develop theological views that differed from strict Calvinism. Arminius’ teachings included five key points: conditional election, unlimited atonement, total depravity, resistible grace, and the possibility of apostasy, which led to controversy within the Dutch Reformed Church. Arminius died in 1609, but in 1610 his followers presented a document called the Remonstrance outlining their theological views. In response, the Synod of Dort was convened in 1618-1619. This gathering of Reformed theologians and leaders condemned Arminius’ views. Yet his theological views went on to have a significant impact on the theological landscape of Protestantism.
How does Augustine figure in?
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) is a significant figure in the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, even though he lived many centuries before these theological systems emerged. Augustine’s writings, particularly his views on predestination, original sin, and divine grace, have had a profound influence on both sides of the debate.
Calvinists and Arminians Today
What denominations reflect these two theological approaches? Every church or denomination has a “family tree” of which it is a part, which explains their relationship to historical movements and to each other. Calvinist denominations include Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregational groups. Arminian denominations largely derive from John Wesley, who embraced much of Arminianism. This includes Methodist churches and most Pentecostal groups. Churches in the Restoration Movement also tend to be Arminian in their view of salvation. Some Baptist groups are also Arminian, just as some are Calvinist. Some denominations include both Arminians and Calvinists, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. Individual non-denominational churches may embrace Calvinism or Arminianism, or may make room for people of both views within an individual church.
The Takeaway
While we can learn from theologians who write about the Bible, our primary source of knowing about God and his ways is the Bible itself. The Bible holds certain truths in tension with each other. Calvinists and Arminians can learn from each other as long as we are gracious to acknowledge each others’ agreement on the saving work of Jesus, and each person’s legitimate relationship with him.
