WHY DO WE REJECT THE TULIP?

Toward the end of John Calvin's life was born a man who would become a very controversial figure in the world of Calvinism, especially in the Dutch Reformed Church. This man’s name was Jacobus Arminius. As a Dutch Reformed preacher and teacher, he began to place questions on some of the closely held doctrines of Calvinism. Though he himself died in 1609 the doctrines of Arminius continued to gain ground in the Dutch reformed church. The teachings of Arminius would become known as Armenism which has been a counterargument to Calvinism for hundreds of years. (I must state at this point that we are neither Calvinistic nor Armenian in our doctrine. We are Baptist.)

A schism grew in the Dutch Reformed church until finally beginning in 1618 the Dutch Reformed Church made a call for all the reformed churches in Europe to send representatives to the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands. This gathering was called the Synod of Dort. In this gathering the strict Calvanist followers sought to answer what they perceived to be false doctrine in the Armenians logic. This answer was given in five points that have since become to be known as the five points of Calvinism or the TULIP. What are these five points of Calvinism?

1. TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN

2. UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

3. LIMITED ATONEMENT

4. IRRESISTIBLE GRACE 

5. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS 

Over the years some if not all of these five points of Calvinism have begun to creep into good Bible teaching churches and have tried to turn them away from the true doctrines and work of the Gospel. Some have claimed that they hold to a point or two of Calvinism trying to credit the doctrine with some credence, while others have wholeheartedly accepted all five points. It is without shame that I will state that we here at the Lincoln Baptist Church do not hold to any of the five points of Calvinism presented in the Tulip. Let’s go to the Scriptures to see why we so strongly distinguish ourselves from this doctrine.

TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN

This doctrine teaches that since the fall of man, mankind is depraved beyond the ability to choose God. 

The Scriptures are clear that mankind was given an opportunity to choose God before the fall of man. Adam choose willingly to disobey God thus making his choice. (I Timothy 2:14) However, we also see that after the fall of man, that God allowed man to choose again even in their depraved state of sin. (Genesis 4:3-5) Able chose to bring the sacrifice of a Lamb which pleased God, while Cain brought the sacrifice of the fruit of the ground which was not what God wanted. Each man was given a choice. 

The theme of choosing God continues into the New Testament. Jesus called to Matthew in the receipt of custom to follow Him. While Jesus called, it was Matthew choice to arise and follow Him. (Mark 2:14) This same example could be given multiple times for the disciples. 

After the death of Christ people continued to choose whether or not to believe on His name. Phillip gave the Etheopian a choice when he said, “if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” to which the eunuch responded, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37) Phillip offered and the eunuch made his choice.

Paul standing before King Agrippa also gave him a choice to accept Jesus Christ. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.” (Acts 26:27) 

Though mankind is depraved in his nature, he is not beyond the capability of responding to the Gosepl of the Word and choosing to believe God for His salvation. 

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

The believe in total depravity necessitates the doctrine of unconditional election. This doctrine teaches that because man is unable to respond to God because man is dead in his sins that God has, with his soverieng power and will, elected and predestined whom He would to be saved.

While we would not argue the God is indeed sovereign, we believe that in His sovereignty He gave man free choice to choose whether or not to be saved. The will of God is made clear in Scripture. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) Thus in accordance with His sovereign will He extends a calls and convicts every living soul to come to salvation. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11) and an open invitation is given to all to be saved. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

The word elect does appear in Scriptures. It is used towards Israel in the old testament as well as toward both the believers and the church in the New Testament. However, in regards to the term elect believers and their salvation we find that the Scripture verifies their election as being according to the foreknowlege of God. “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.” (I Peter 1:2) Therefore, because God is all knowing He knows ahead of time who will choose to call upon Him and who will not. It has been predetermined, or predestinated that all who call upon His name will go to Heaven. “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)

LIMITED ATONEMENT

This is the doctrine that teaches that Jesus died on the cross only for those who were elected to be saved. 

The refusal of this doctrine needs very little explanation. The Scriptures clearly contradict this false doctrine. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Also we see the Scriptures say, “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (II Corinthians 5:15)

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

This is the doctrine that teaches that if we are elected to be saved by God that we are unable to resist the calling of the Holy Spirit to be saved. We are literally powerless to resist. 

The errors of this doctrine are consistent with the errors of previous points. It implies that God has not given mankind freewill to choose. Yet, the Scriptures equate the acquiring of salvation with obedience to God. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”   (Hebrews 5:9) This verse uses the word obedience to describe answering the call to be saved, yet by the very nature of the word “obey” requires a choice to do so.

We also see examples in Scripture of those who resisted the call to be saved. King Agrippa said that he was almost persuaded, but he did not believe. (Acts 26:27-28)

THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

This is the doctrine that teaches that if you are truly saved then you will not fall away from the faith and you will continue doing good the rest of your life. 

As children of God we should certainly have a desire to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, however the failure to so is not a sure proof of lacking salvation. The Scriptures are clear that there will be some who are saved, that will be in Heaven who did not works, but believed. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,” (Romans 4:5-6) My salvation is not based on my good works and continuance of them, rather it is based on Christ’s perfect works.

The Scriptures show us that those who are saved, may fall away, yet it is impossible to them to “get saved” again because they never lost their salvation in falling away. To teach that men do loose salvation when falling away is to put Christ to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6) It is possible for true brethren to be tempted and overtaken with a fault. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) This is why we are warned of such things in the Bible. 

CONCLUSION

We see then from the Scriptures why we, as a Bible believing church, must reject the doctrine of the T.U.L.I.P and earnestly contend for the Faith. This is one of many false doctrines that Satan has sent to try to penetrate believers and churches and lead them astray.