History and Roots of Calvinism
Calvinism traces its origins to John Calvin, a 16th-century reformer whose theological framework heavily relied on the works of Augustine of Hippo. Augustine himself was significantly influenced by Greek philosophy, particularly the deterministic ideas of Plato and the Stoics. This deterministic view permeated Augustine’s theology, and Calvin built his theological system upon this philosophical foundation.
The primary problem with Calvinism is its philosophical presupposition that God meticulously controls every detail of human history, including who will believe and who will not. This philosophical underpinning leads to interpreting Scripture through a lens that was never intended. The Bible expressly warns against integrating philosophy with divine revelation.
In Colossians 2:8, Paul writes, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Philosophy and human reasoning cannot override the plain teaching of Scripture.
Calvinism as a Presupposition
The foundation of Calvinism lies in beginning with a predetermined idea about God’s sovereignty—defined as absolute, deterministic control—and then interpreting Scripture to support that idea. This approach is a clear violation of sound hermeneutics, which calls for interpreting Scripture in its historical and literary context. Calvinists often isolate verses or phrases, ignoring broader biblical teaching, to fit their philosophical framework.
This method contradicts the admonition of 2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Proper interpretation allows Scripture to interpret Scripture, without imposing human philosophy or tradition upon it.
The Five Points of TULIP and Their Refutation
Total Depravity (T)
Calvinism asserts that humanity is so depraved and spiritually dead that individuals cannot respond to the Gospel unless they are first regenerated by God. While the Bible affirms human sinfulness (Romans 3:23), it also teaches that all people are capable of responding to God’s call through the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The invitation to believe is extended to “whoever,” not a preselected group.
Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”
God invites all to seek Him and respond.
Acts 17:30: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”
The universal command to repent contradicts the Calvinist idea that only the elect are capable of repentance.
1 Timothy 2:3-4: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
These scriptures directly counter the idea that humanity is so depraved that only a preselected group can be saved. If God desires all men to be saved, then salvation must be accessible to all. While it is true that man is fallen and incapable of earning salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), God’s grace extends to all through the Gospel. This shows that humans, though sinful, are not beyond the reach of God’s grace and are given the ability to respond to Him and repent.
Unconditional Election (U)
Calvinists teach that God unconditionally chooses some for salvation and others for damnation. This view negates human free will and the responsibility to respond to God. Scripture, however, portrays election as conditional upon faith and God’s foreknowledge of human response.
2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
God’s desire is for all to come to repentance, not just a select few.
Matthew 22:14: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
In this parable (Matthew 22:1-13), a king (representing God) invites guests to a wedding feast for his son (symbolizing Jesus). The original invitees (representing Israel) refuse the invitation, despite repeated efforts by the king to persuade them. The king then opens the invitation to everyone, both “good and bad” (symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles and all who are willing to come).
One guest, however, arrives without the proper wedding garment and is cast out. This detail shows that while the invitation is open to all, individuals must respond appropriately—through faith and by being clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Romans 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” The phrase “whom He foreknew” refers to those whom God has a relationship with before the day of judgment. Jesus said in Matthew 7:23, “I never knew you,” to those who were not His. In contrast, His sheep know His voice (John 10:27). Those who have chosen to come to Christ in faith and are known by Him are now predestined to be glorified, conformed to His image as part of God’s eternal plan for believers.
Limited Atonement (L)
Calvinism argues that Christ’s atonement is limited to the elect and was not made for the whole world. However, Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus died for all:
1 John 2:2: “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
John 1:29: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
2 Corinthians 5:19: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.”
Scripture clearly refutes the Calvinist claim of limited atonement, consistently teaching that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was made for the sins of the whole world, offering salvation to all who believe.
Irresistible Grace (I)
Calvinism teaches that God’s grace is irresistible, meaning those whom God chooses cannot resist His call to salvation. However, Scripture demonstrates that humans have the ability to resist God’s grace:
Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”
Matthew 23:37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I wanted to gather your children together… but you were not willing!”
Proverbs 1:24-25: “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded.”
Scripture clearly shows that God’s grace can be resisted, as people have the ability to reject His call and refuse the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Perseverance of the Saints (P)
Calvinists teach that salvation cannot be lost because it is entirely God’s work and humans have no role in coming to faith. While Scripture does teach eternal security for believers, it also emphasizes human choice and responsibility in coming to salvation. True perseverance is the result of being a new creation in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, not forced regeneration.
John 10:28-29: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all.” Believers are secure in Christ, but this is the result of their free response to Him.
Ephesians 1:13: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The new creation results in a life of perseverance, not forced faith.
While Scripture affirms eternal security for believers, it is based on their free response to the Gospel and being made a new creation in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, not on forced or arbitrary regeneration.
Misused Words in Calvinism
Predestination
Romans 8:29-30 states:
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
This passage explains that predestination refers to God’s plan for believers to be conformed to the image of Christ and ultimately glorified. It does not indicate that God arbitrarily decides who will believe. Instead, God foreknows those who will freely choose Him and predestines them to their ultimate destiny—conformity to Christ and eternal glorification.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23:
“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
This passage underscores the importance of having a genuine relationship with Christ. Many will think they know Him, but Christ does not know them because they lacked true faith and a personal relationship. In the same way, Romans 8:29 uses the word “foreknew” to describe God’s relational knowledge of believers before the judgment, not simply His awareness of future events. Predestination is rooted in God having a relationship with those who freely come to follow Him—and it assures their ultimate glorification in Christ. A beautiful promise given to those who love Him.
James 2:5 says:
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
This verse highlights that salvation and the inheritance of God’s kingdom are promised to those who truly love Him, reinforcing the relational nature of salvation. It emphasizes that faith is not just intellectual acknowledgment but flows from a heart of love and devotion to God. True salvation is marked by this genuine love for the Lord.
Election
Election in Scripture often refers to being chosen for service or a specific purpose, not salvation. For example:
Isaiah 45:4 says:
“For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.”
Here, God refers to Israel as His elect, chosen to fulfill His purposes on earth. This is a national and service-oriented election, not a reference to individual salvation.
Additionally, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 clarifies the relationship between election and human responsibility:
“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”
This passage shows that election is through sanctification and belief in the truth. God’s choice works in harmony with human responsibility to believe.
Romans 9: “Jacob I Loved, Esau I Hated”
Romans 9:13 says:
“As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’”
Calvinists often use this verse to support unconditional election. However, the context of Romans 9-11 addresses God’s choice of using nations (Israel and Edom, represented by Jacob and Esau) for His purposes, not individual salvation. Paul emphasizes that God’s election is about His plan to bring salvation to the world, which includes the Gentiles.
Paul concludes in Romans 11:11-15:
“I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.”
This clarifies that the broader context is about God’s redemptive plan for both Jews and Gentiles, not about God choosing specific individuals for salvation or condemnation. God’s purpose is to save everyone who believes.
My Final Thoughts
Calvinism is not a doctrine derived from the plain teaching of Scripture but a philosophical framework imposed upon it. The Bible consistently teaches the balance of God’s authority and human responsibility. Salvation is offered to all, and individuals are free to respond in faith. For those who do, the Bible promises eternal security in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit.
To avoid the errors of Calvinism, we must allow Scripture to interpret itself and reject the temptation to impose human philosophy upon God’s Word.
As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:25, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
