TULIP vs The Bible -- Which Wins?

  Theological Framework Comparison Key Question Calvinism Arminianism Who initiates salvation? God alone, by sovereign decree God initiates, but humans must freely respond   Is grace resistible? No—grace for the elect is irresistible Yes—grace is offered to all, but can be resisted   Is salvation conditional? No choices offered—based solely on God’s sovereign will   Yes—based on faith in Christ   For whom did Christ die? Only for the elect For all people Can salvation be lost? No—true believers will persevere to the end   Yes—it depends on continued faith and obedience   Does God predestine damnation? Yes—non-elect are passed over or   actively reprobated No—condemnation is based on one’s free reject...

Total Depravity Key Critiques: Total depravity, as defined by Calvinism, denies human freewill and teaches all people are utterly incapable of choosing good or responding to God without irresistible grace. This contradicts both human experience and Scripture, which show people reasoning, resisting sin (e.g., Cain), and being invited to repent. Calvinists claim babies are born bearing Adam's guilt and are "enslaved to sin" from conception, yet Scripture (e.g., Ezekiel 18:20) refutes inherited guilt. God’s grief over mankind’s evil (Gen. 6:6) shows He did not preordain sin, but hoped for repentance. Scriptural examples (e.g., Balaam, Cain, Noah) show individuals had the ability to choose righteousness or disobedience, refuting total inability. Total Depravity – A Biblical Critique 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Calvinism teaches that man is so utterly fallen due to Adam’s sin that he is spiritually dead—totally unable to understand, desire, or seek God. His will is in bondage t...

An introduction 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Before the foundation of the world, God unconditionally chose some individuals to salvation—not based on any foreseen faith or merit, but solely on His secret decree. 🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal: Scripture teaches election, but also reveals a God who desires all to be saved and whose election is according to foreknowledge. ⚖️ Biblical Truth: Election Is In Christ and According to Foreknowledge 1. **Election Is Rooted in Foreknowledge**  Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2 2. **Election Is Corporate and in Christ**  Ephesians 1:4 3. **God Shows No Partiality**  Acts 10:34 4. **All Are Called**  Matthew 22:14 🌺 Unconditional Election – A Biblical Critique 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Before the foundation of the world, God unconditionally chose some individuals to salvation—not based on any foreseen faith or merit, but solely on His secret decree. 🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal: Scripture teaches election, but also reveals a God...

An Introduction 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim : Christ died only for the elect. His atonement was limited in scope, designed to save only those predestined to believe. 🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal : The Bible affirms the universal offer of salvation and proclaims that Christ died for the whole world. ⚖️ Biblical Truth: The Cross Is Sufficient for All, Effective for Believers 1. **Scripture Speaks of a Universal Atonement**  John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:6 2. **Even the Lost Were Bought**  2 Peter 2:1 3. **God’s Heart Is for All to Repent**  Ezekiel 18:23 4. **Application of Atonement Is by Faith**  Romans 3:25 🌺 Limited Atonement – A Biblical Critique 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Christ died only for the elect. His atonement was limited in scope, designed to save only those predestined to believe. 🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal: The Bible affirms the universal offer of salvation and proclaims that Christ died for the whole world , not just a select few. ⚖️ Biblic...

An Introduction 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim : When God decides to save someone, His grace is irresistible. The inner call is so effectual that the person will infallibly come to faith—these were chosen before Creation and have no say in the matter. 🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal : Grace is powerful and enabling—but not coercive. God’s Spirit draws, teaches, and convicts—but Scripture shows that this grace can be resisted. ⚖️ Biblical Truth: Grace Can Be Resisted—Love Requires Freedom 1. **People Resist the Holy Spirit**  Acts 7:51; Luke 7:30 2. **Jesus Wept Over Rejection**  Matthew 23:37 3. **Grace Draws, But Doesn’t Drag**  John 12:32 4. **Faith Comes by Hearing, Not Irresistible Pull**  Romans 10:17  🌺 Irresistible Grace – A Biblical Critique 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: When God decides to save someone, His grace is irresistible. The inner call is so effectual that the person will infallibly come to faith. These are the elect who were predestined before...

   An Introduction Key Critiques: This doctrine teaches that those truly elect will persevere in faith and holiness until the end. The following notes this easily becomes “once saved always saved,” leading to moral laxity. Biblical warnings about falling away (Hebrews 6:4–6; 2 Peter 2:20–22) are inconsistent with the Calvinist view. The emphasis should be on continuing in faith, not relying on an irreversible decree. 🌺 Perseverance of the Saints – A Biblical Critique 💡 Calvinist Doctrine: Calvinism teaches that those whom God has elected and regenerated cannot finally fall away . While they may stumble, they will inevitably persevere in faith and holiness until the end. This is often referred to as “once saved, always saved” —though more nuanced versions distinguish between false converts and true believers who will persevere no matter what. Key Texts Cited: John 10:28–29 – “No one can snatch them out of my hand.” Romans 8:30 – “Those He justified, He also glorifi...

An Introduction  🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Man’s will is in bondage due to total depravity. He cannot choose God, contribute faith, or respond unless regenerated first.  🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal: While man is fallen, the Bible shows him being invited to respond, to believe, and to choose life.  ⚖️ Biblical Truth: The Will Is Weakened (Romans 5:6), Not Abolished 1. **God’s Call Is Genuine—and Resistible**  Deuteronomy 30:19; Isaiah 1:18; Acts 17:30; Matthew 23:37 2. **Faith Comes Before Regeneration**  John 1:12–13; Galatians 3:2; Ephesians 1:13 3. **God’s Sovereignty Includes Human Freedom**  Joshua 24:15; Revelation 22:17 4. **Bondage to Sin Is Broken by the Gospel**  John 8:32–36; Romans 6:16–18 🔗 The Bondage of the Will  – A Biblical Critique 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Rooted in Augustine and systematized by Luther and Calvin, the doctrine of the bondage of the will teaches that mankind, due to total depravity, has no abil...

An Introduction 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: Just as God unconditionally elects some to salvation, He also predestines others to damnation—without regard to their choices. 🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal: God is just, merciful, and desires all to be saved. Condemnation is always tied to rejection, not to a predetermined fate. ⚖️ Biblical Truth: God Judges Justly—Not Arbitrarily 1. **God Takes No Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked**  Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9 2. **Condemnation Comes from Rejection**  John 3:19; Romans 2:5–6 3. **Sovereignty Is Not Determinism**  Deuteronomy 30:19; Acts 17:30 4. **Romans 9 Does Not Teach Double Predestination**  Romans 9:22–23; Romans 11:32 5. **Hell Was Not Prepared for People**  Matthew 25:41 Double Predestination – A Biblical Critique 🏛️ The Calvinist Claim: In classical Calvinism, double predestination teaches that just as God unconditionally elects some to eternal life, He also actively predestines others to...