For example, terms such as "indisposed" and "disabled" fit within the biblical picture of the human condition, provided they are properly qualified; but "utterly indisposed," "opposite to all good," and "wholly inclined to all evil" are well outside the biblical picture of creatures who are told by God Himself that they are capable of choosing good over evil.Those who have abandoned such extreme definitions for a more reasonable view of the human condition are often accused of "Pelagianism" or "rationalism" by hyper-Calvinists who insist upon the utter depravity and incapability of fallen man.But let's not overlook what God has to say about His human creatures. "In John 3:16,17, the "world" God loved is the same "world" Christ was sent into, not to condemn but to save. This tells us that God is looking for something in His human creatures, and implies that He responds favorably to their worship. Are we to assume that the "world" of this passage is anything other than the world of humankind? For a full study of this subject, please request a free copy of our brochure, The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Calvinist document. But in regard to those who do know what the Bible says about this, and still consciously reject it, yes they are blinded to the truth, and that too is God’s will, although not God’s fault. Notice that in 1 John 2:2, the "whole world" clearly includes more than the elect. Further, the "fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries" is really only a fearful expectation of "temporal judgments. God's kindness, love, and favorable regard (grace) can be both resisted and rejected.Calvinists distinguish between "common grace" and "special grace." It signifies "to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self, a choosing one out of many." Similarly, by joining ourselves to the Elect One, becoming members of His Body, we become participants in His election. The gentiles believed because it was “appointed” for them to do so. They may become evil later on, but they are not evil from birth.If man is so totally depraved that he cannot help but choose evil over good, then why are sinners so vigorously condemned in the Bible? Paul speaks of the "elect angels" (1 Timothy 5:21). 1:11). The Five Points of Calvinism are easily remembered through the acronym tulip, which stands for: Total depravity; Unconditional divine election; Limitation of the atonement; Irresistibility of divine grace; and Perseverance in grace to the end.These five points are crucial to the Calvinist view of predestination and election. The only ones finally chosen for participation in the festivities were those who made the trip and showed up for the banquet.Divine election is no different. Jesus mentions them in His Olivet Prophecy (Matthew 24:24,31). Special grace, the Calvinist says, is the love, mercy, kindness, and drawing power of God that causes an individual to desire and accept the gospel, and prevents him from rejecting salvation.
How he maketh intercession to God against Israel….”Acts 2:23 — “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”I Peter 1:2 — “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”Canons 1, 6 — “That some receive the gift of faith from God and others do not receive it proceeds from God’s eternal decree, ‘For known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world’ (Acts 15:18). This is a vastly different picture than the Calvinist depiction of a God who arbitrarily predetermined who would and would not worship Him in an acceptable manner.Paul earnestly sought the salvation of his fellow Israelites, the majority of whom had rejected Christ. This is crucial to our understanding of the church as God's elect.Just as God knew that there would be a corporate body called Israel, He knew that there would be a corporate body called the church. Doesn't it stand to reason that those who are capable of making the right choices but fail to do so are far more culpable than those who simply cannot help themselves?Human beings in a world essentially cut off from God will inevitably commit sin. Grace, therefore, is not irresistible!The above two passages from the book of Hebrews also shed significant light on the fifth and final item in the Five Points of Calvinism: perseverance in grace to the end.The last of the Five Points of Calvinism is expressed most clearly in the Westminster Confession of Faith:1.
How can you know for sure?The answer is simple: It is a mistake to assume that God is not calling you! The Five Points of Calvinism are easily remembered through the acronym tulip, which stands for: Total depravity; Unconditional divine election; Limitation of the atonement; Irresistibility of divine grace; and Perseverance in grace to the end. Some, they claim, are predestined to eternal life, while others are predestined to eternal punishment. It represents the second letter of the acronym TULIP, which is commonly used to enumerate the five points of Calvinism, also known as the Doctrines of Grace. Is there unrighteousness with God? Hence, He "chose us [all who, through exercise of their divinely bestowed free will, accept His universal offer] in Him before the foundation of the world," and "predestined us [the whole race, potentially] to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ." This definition seems considerably softer than the one provided by the Westminster Confession of Faith. This shows that we should think of the elect as a corporate body, and that individuals may become a part of that body. He works everything after the counsel of His will. The Five Points of Calvinism are rooted in Augustinian theology.Since these five areas are crucial to the Calvinist doctrine of predestination, let's examine each in the light of God's revealed Word.Protestant theologians do not always agree on the meaning of "total depravity."