Calvin vs Arminius

The Five Points

A few things to address as an introduction.

• These 5 points are not Calvinism. Calvinism is a complete biblical theology based on St. Augustine’s interpretation of scripture. The 5 points are a very small (but controversial) part of Calvin’s (and Augustine’s) theology.
• The 5 points of Calvinism were a response to the 5 points of Arminianism; developed by Arminius’ students in 1610 (after his death in 1609). They could have just as easily have been called the 5 points of “Reformed Theology” or the 5 “Canons of Dort”, but they were crafted by students of Calvin, so the name stuck. Remember John Calvin died in 1564 and had nothing to do with “his” 5 points.
• The first letter in each of the 5 points famously spell TULIP. The names of the 5 points should not be taken literally. For example, The T is “total depravity”. Obviously, no one believes the human race is totally depraved.
• This has been a controversy in the church since the very beginning. Two ways to look at the plan of salvation. The core issue is God’s sovereignty vs. man’s free will. Many countless volumes have been dedicated to this debate. Both sides are supported by multiple scriptures. Thankfully, this is not a point of orthodoxy! You can go to your grave supporting the wrong side and Jesus will still let you into heaven.

The 5 points are briefly explained

(A more in-depth study follows below)

Total Depravity: “The fall” corrupted mankind to the degree that he cannot, in himself, respond to God’s call. He is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph.2:8-9) and does not have the moral capacity to respond to the call of grace.

Unconditional Election: God’s election of some (and not others) is entirely based on God’s will, and not on any other conditions. Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

Limited Atonement: Although the Blood of Jesus is efficacious for all mankind, Jesus died for The Elect. John 6:44 No man can come to me except the Father…draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Irresistible Grace: The Elect are given the faith to respond to the call of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast”.

Perseverance of the Saints: To those God calls out of darkness, God will also preserve unto the end. Heb.12:2 Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith.

The Five points of Arminianism (Remonstrance)

Conditional Election: God’s election is based on individuals’ “foreseen” faith. But ultimately, salvation or condemnation is conditioned on a man’s choices in life.

Unlimited Atonement: Jesus died for everyone, and everyone has the ability to respond to the call of God (whosoever will).

Depravation: People are sinful and depraved. They have no ability to become righteous on their own. But they still have the moral ability to choose life if God offers them prevenient grace. Then, through a cooperative effort, man can be transformed.

Resistible Grace: God’s grace can be resisted and rejected.

Conditional Perseverance: Believers can fall away if they do not persevere. Salvation is based on continual faithfulness.

Arminianism emphasizes free will. “Human dignity requires an unimpaired freedom of the will”. Each human being is the captain of their own destiny. It goes like this: God chooses those whom He “sees” will respond positively to the universal call of salvation. He then sends His grace to the person. The person can be moved by God’s grace or reject it. If they accept it, they are “saved” but can walk away later and lose their fragile salvation. Because only “he that endures to the end shall be saved”. The type of argument they use goes like this: In Acts 17:30 God commands all men everywhere to repent. If men aren’t capable then why does God command them? Good question and hard to explain, but are the explanations based on human logic, or the biblical text. If you exegete the text, Calvinism wins every time.

Reformed Theology Response

Total Depravity: This is the primary conviction. When this idea is understood, the other points will be an obvious extension of this one. If human beings don’t have the ability to respond to the call of God, then election must be of God, Grace must be irresistible etc. There are many commonsense conclusions one could raise; Who chose your bride? God is sovereign therefore God choses. But our doctrines need to be rooted the text of scripture. So, we begin with “What happened to the human race at the fall?” Throughout church history most leaders believe the fall affected the whole person. The body, will, soul, and spirit were all infected by the power of sin and enslaved to evil. The question discussed here is “How corrupt are we?” Are we dead in trespasses and sins, or only sick? What is our degree of fallenness? Do we have the ability to respond to God?

Humanism claims mankind is basically good. Theology claims man is inherently sinful. Many churches want to follow the world’s model. What is required to be conformed to the image of Christ? Not behavior modification but regeneration. The concept of total depravity addresses the issue of “free will”. Do we, as human beings, have the ability to respond to the call of God innately, or are we unable, because of our fallen nature, to receive and accept the call of God without His help? Free will in every other area is not disputed but the church throughout history says the fall was so devastating and the human heart so corrupt that God’s grace is necessary, and without it we have no hope.

Eph.2:5 “When we were dead in sins, He quickened us”.

Quickened, in Greek, means “To bring to life together”. In other words, Jesus, who is Life, comes into you (and your dead spirit) and gives you Himself, Life. And your spirit comes alive (His life in you). “His Spirit bearing witness to our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom.8:16).

Eph.2:8-9 “For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.

There is a divine initiative here. God, through His grace, rescuing the sinner by giving him a gift of faith. Because of man’s moral bondage, he can not respond to God’s offer of redemption. God’s sovereign grace produces in us the faith to accept His offer of redemption. It is the work of God alone. Sola Gratia.

John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing…”.

John 6:65 “Therefore say I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”.

John 6:39 “And this is the Father’s will which has sent Me, that of all which He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day”.

John 6:44 “No man can come to Me, except the Father draw him: And I will raise him up at the last day”.

Acts 13:48 “…and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed”.

1Cor.3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase”.

Heb.12:2 “…Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”.

Eph.1:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will”.

Eph.1:4 “According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world”.

This is and has been the historic doctrine of the church. From the early days there have been men who can’t accept that they have nothing to do with their salvation. Their belief is that the human race isn’t “dead” in sin but only morally restricted. That God sees something in them, a small impulse, a slight yearning, then God offers grace, and they work it out together. This is called “prevenient grace” or semi-pelagianism.

When I worship God and realize He chose me according to the good pleasure of His will and I had nothing to offer, my whole body, soul and spirit melt with humbleness, thanksgiving and wonder. I can’t imagine worshipping Jesus thinking we’ve made a good team in getting me this far.

Unconditional Election: On what basis does God choose to save some and not others? Paul uses the example of Rebecca’s children in Romans 9:11 neither having been born “that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth”. If it were of works, it couldn’t be of grace. Romans 9 goes on to say “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid! For He said to Moses; “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion”. So then it is not of him that wills nor of him that runs but of God that shows mercy (9:14-16). When God chooses, He exhibits grace, when God doesn’t choose, He exhibits justice. Neither choice expresses injustice. There is no unrighteousness with God.

Limited Atonement: There is no limit to the value or efficaciousness of Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood is sufficient to wash away all sins from all people. The gospel is proclaimed to all people universally. Sufficient for all but efficient for some. This is where some people “jump ship”. The call goes out to people who cannot respond? It doesn’t seem fair. But where did your sense of fairness come from? It’s illogical to think the author of your sense of fairness is unfair. Did God design salvation to be possible for everyone or no one? Or did God have a people in mind? Jesus laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11-15). “All that the Father has given Me” (John 6:39). All that were ordained to eternal life believed (Acts 13:48).

This is as clear as it can be: The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world for those chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.

1Pet.1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”.

2Peter 3:9 “The Lord is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” is often quoted as a rebuttal to this teaching. This is true but God is not a spectator in salvation. The plan of redemption is an eternal plan. When God told Paul “I have much people in this city”, did He know who they were? Of course He did, He’s God!

Irresistible Grace: God’s salvation of those lost in sin is the work of God alone. God’s grace is so powerful, it has the capacity to overcome man’s natural resistance to it. God’s grace, through the Holy Spirit never fails to call, and bring to life any whom the Father chose from the beginning. God must do something to us and in us. It is by grace through faith we are made alive. “Whom He did predestinate, them He also called, them He also justified, them He also glorified” (Rom.8:30). The term irresistible is sometimes intentionally misunderstood (by critics) to mean that some people are forced to go into heaven “kicking and screaming”. This, of course, is not true. God’s grace works with people, renewing their wills so they come freely. A spiritual resurrection from the dead.

Perseverance of the Saints: Our endurance to the end is a gift of God. “The author and finisher of our faith”. Our rebirth is the beginning; Php.1:6 “He that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. John 6:39 “All that the Father has given Me, I will raise them up at the last day”. This is a “If you have it, you’ll never lose it, If you lose it, you never had it” Concept. 1John2:19 “They left because they were never part”. Jesus said “depart from Me I never knew you”. In Peter’s denial Jesus said “satan has desired to sift you like wheat, but I prayed for you”. You can fall and be restored. You can be excommunicated and repent. The Holy Spirit “seals you and gives you the earnest of the spirit in our hearts” (2Cor.1:22). Do you think He will fail? Preservation is a gift, all the enduring is God’s doing. Where is Jesus? Sitting at the right hand of God in heavenly places (Eph.1:20). Where are we? Seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph.2:6) What is Jesus doing? Making intercession for us (Heb.7:25).

This is what we were taught at San Bernardino Bible College. This is what we believe. 50 years later, no changes and no apologies.

This is in no way exhaustive. Just an explanation of the two schools. Thanks for reading. I hope you learned something new. There are multiple books, YouTube videos etc. to further your study on this important subject.

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2Tim2:15.