What is Calvinism? Is it Biblical?

Calvinism is a theological system named after John Calvin, a 16th-century Reformer whose teachings have significantly shaped Protestant theology. The core of Calvinism is encapsulated in the acronym TULIP, which stands for five points:

While Calvinism has many adherents, it has also been subject to critique. In this exploration, we will define Calvinism, examine its key doctrines, and analyze why some argue that it is not fully biblical, using references from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

What is Calvinism?

Calvinism is rooted in the sovereignty of God and emphasizes His control over all aspects of creation, including human salvation. It emerged during the Protestant Reformation as an effort to systematize the teachings of Scripture, particularly concerning salvation and human responsibility.

The Westminster Confession of Faith and other Reformed creeds reflect Calvinist theology, affirming God’s predestining will and human inability to achieve salvation without divine intervention.

The Five Points of Calvinism

The five points of Calvinism, derived from the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), respond to the teachings of Jacobus Arminius and his followers, who emphasized free will.

The Five Points of Calvinism

(a) Total Depravity

Calvinism teaches that human beings are entirely sinful due to the Fall and incapable of seeking God on their own.

• Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV) – “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.'”

While the Bible affirms humanity’s sinful nature, Calvinism interprets this as total spiritual inability, which some believe goes beyond the biblical text.

(b) Unconditional Election

Calvinism asserts that God has chosen, before the foundation of the world, certain individuals to be saved, irrespective of any merit or action on their part.

• Ephesians 1:4-5 (NKJV) – “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”

Critics argue that this view overlooks the universal scope of God’s desire for salvation:

• 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) – “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.”

(c) Limited Atonement

Calvinism teaches that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was only for the elect, not for all humanity.

• John 10:14-15 (NKJV) – “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

However, other Scriptures suggest a universal atonement:

• 1 John 2:2 (NKJV) – “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

(d) Irresistible Grace

Calvinism holds that God’s saving grace cannot be resisted when He chooses to bestow it upon an individual.

• John 6:37 (NKJV) – “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

Critics argue that this doctrine diminishes human responsibility and overlooks passages emphasizing free will:

• Matthew 23:37 (NKJV) – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

(e) Perseverance of the Saints

Calvinism teaches that those genuinely saved will persevere in faith and never fall away.

• John 10:28-29 (NKJV) – “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; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

However, warnings against falling away are also present in Scripture:

• Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV) – “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance.”

Why Calvinism is Not Fully Biblical

(a) God’s Desire for All to Be Saved

Calvinism’s view of Unconditional Election appears to conflict with passages emphasizing God’s universal desire for salvation.

• 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

(b) The Universality of Christ’s Atonement

The doctrine of Limited Atonement contradicts numerous verses indicating that Christ died for all people:

• John 3:16 (NKJV) – “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.”
• Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV) – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

(c) Human Responsibility

Calvinism emphasizes Irresistible Grace, yet Scripture often calls people to choose:

• Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) – “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
• Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) – “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

(d) Warnings Against Falling Away

The doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints is challenged by warnings about apostasy:

• 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV) – “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

A Balanced View of Salvation

While Calvinism emphasizes God’s sovereignty, Scripture presents a balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Salvation is by grace through faith, but humans must respond to God’s call.

• Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Conclusion

Calvinism offers an approach to understanding God’s sovereignty, sin, and salvation. However, its doctrines, particularly Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, and Irresistible Grace, do not fully align with the broad testimony of Scripture.

The Bible teaches that God desires all to be saved, Christ died for the sins of the entire world, and human beings have the responsibility to respond to God’s grace. A biblically faithful theology should embrace the fullness of Scripture, affirming both God’s sovereignty and human accountability.

By studying the Word of God, believers can grow in understanding and faithfully follow His truth as revealed in the Bible. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, NKJV).