Examining Calvinism

Introduction

Calvinism represents one of the most widespread theological systems taught in churches today, yet its teachings conflict with the revelation given to Paul for this present dispensation of grace. This analysis examines Calvinism's TULIP doctrine through the lens of right division.

TULIP Examined Point by Point

T - Total Depravity

The Calvinist Position:

• Humans are completely unable to respond to God

• Man cannot even believe without God first regenerating them

• The unsaved person is spiritually dead and cannot understand spiritual truth

The Mid-Acts Truth:

• While all are indeed sinners, man can respond to the gospel through faith

• Faith comes by hearing the word:

  • "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17)

• The unsaved can understand and believe:

  • "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office" (Romans 11:13)

  • "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14)

U - Unconditional Election

The Calvinist Position:

• God chose (elected) some for salvation before creation

• This choice was not based on any foreseen faith or response

• Only the elect can be saved

The Mid-Acts Truth:

• God desires all to be saved:

  • "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4)

  • "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all" (Romans 11:32)

• Predestination relates specifically to our future adoption (redemption of our bodies) at the rapture, not to who can be saved:

  • "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself" (Ephesians 1:5)

  • "Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23)

  • "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29)

  • Predestination truth shown: "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 KJV)

Members of the Body of Christ are predestinated to:

1. Receive the adoption (glorified bodies) at the rapture

2. Be conformed to Christ's image

3. Inherit all spiritual blessings in heavenly places

This predestination occurs after salvation, when we become members of the Body of Christ. It is not about choosing who can be saved, but rather about God's predetermined plan for all members of Christ's Body.

L - Limited Atonement

The Calvinist Position:

• Christ died only for the elect

• His death was not for all mankind

• Salvation is limited to those predestined

The Mid-Acts Truth:

• Christ died for all:

  • "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6)

  • "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11)

• The scope is universal:

  • "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe" (1 Timothy 4:10)

  • "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Romans 3:22)

I - Irresistible Grace

The Calvinist Position:

• God's call to the elect cannot be resisted

• The elect will inevitably come to faith

• Man has no real choice in salvation

The Mid-Acts Truth:

• God's grace can be received in vain:

  • "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1)

• Man must choose to believe:

  • "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5)

• The gospel can be rejected:

  • "But they have not all obeyed the gospel" (Romans 10:16)

P - Perseverance of the Saints

The Calvinist Position:

• The elect will persevere in faith and holiness

• True salvation results in a changed life

• Those who fall away were never truly saved

The Mid-Acts Truth:

• Salvation is secure by grace through faith alone:

  • "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• Our position in Christ is secure regardless of performance:

  • "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life...shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39)

• Works follow salvation but don't prove it:

  • "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10)

Key Problems with Calvinism in This Dispensation

1. Confusion of Programs

Calvinism fails to rightly divide between:

• God's prophetic program with Israel

• The mystery program revealed to Paul

• "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)

2. Misunderstanding of Election

• Election in Time Past related to Israel as a nation

• Today, predestination relates to our position in Christ, not selection for salvation

• "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4)

3. Works-Based Assurance

• Calvinism often leads to examining works for proof of salvation

• Paul teaches pure grace:

  • "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace" (Romans 11:6)

Conclusion

Calvinism represents a systematic mixing of:

• Law and Grace

• Prophecy and Mystery

• Israel's Program and the Body of Christ

For this present dispensation, we must follow Paul's gospel of pure grace:

• "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

• "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24)

Understanding these distinctions helps us:

1. Appreciate God's grace more fully

2. Share the clear gospel of grace

3. Have full assurance of salvation

4. Rightly divide God's word

Paul's epistles (Romans through Philemon) provide our doctrine for today, revealing salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works or human merit.

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