Calvinism, a theological system developed from the teachings of John Calvin, has deeply influenced many Christian traditions. Its core beliefs, summarized in the acronym TULIP, focus on God’s sovereignty, predestination, and the nature of salvation. While Calvinists assert that their doctrine aligns with Scripture, a closer examination reveals significant inconsistencies between Calvinist theology and the teachings of the Bible.
1. Total Depravity vs. Human Responsibility
Calvinism teaches that humans are so depraved that they cannot respond to God’s call without divine intervention. While the Bible affirms humanity’s sinful nature (Romans 3:23), it also teaches that God gives every person the opportunity to respond to Him.
Key Verse: “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.” (John 3:16)
Calvinism limits this invitation to the “elect,” but Scripture explicitly states that salvation is offered to all who believe.
Key Verse: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15)
This verse emphasizes human responsibility in choosing to follow God, contradicting the Calvinist view that humans are incapable of such decisions.
2. Unconditional Election vs. God’s Desire for All to Be Saved
Unconditional Election claims that God predestines certain individuals for salvation and others for damnation. This undermines the Bible’s clear teaching about God’s desire for all to be saved.
Key Verse: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Calvinism denies that God desires all to be saved, despite verses like this one, which affirm God’s universal desire for repentance.
Key Verse: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all…” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Christ’s sacrifice was made for all, not just for a select group of “elect.”
3. Limited Atonement vs. Christ’s Universal Sacrifice
Calvinism asserts that Christ’s atonement was only for the elect. However, Scripture consistently portrays Christ’s sacrifice as universal.
Key Verse: “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)
This verse directly refutes the idea of limited atonement, affirming that Christ’s atonement extends to all humanity.
Key Verse: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11)
God’s grace is universally available, not restricted to a specific group.
4. Irresistible Grace vs. Free Will
Calvinism teaches that God’s grace is irresistible for the elect, meaning that they cannot refuse salvation. However, the Bible shows that humans have the ability to reject God’s grace.
Key Verse: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34)
Jesus lamented over Jerusalem’s rejection of His grace, showing that God’s grace can be resisted.
Key Verse: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51)
This verse confirms that humans can resist God’s Spirit and His call to repentance.
5. Perseverance of the Saints vs. Warnings Against Falling Away
Calvinism teaches that the elect will persevere in faith and cannot lose their salvation. However, the Bible contains numerous warnings about the possibility of falling away.
Key Verse: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)
This warning suggests that even believers must remain vigilant to avoid falling away.
Key Verse: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20)
This verse indicates that it is possible for someone to turn away from faith after initially coming to Christ.
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
Calvinism often overemphasizes God’s sovereignty to the point of denying human responsibility. The Bible teaches that God is sovereign, but it also shows humanity’s responsibility to respond to His call.
Key Verse: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
God extends the invitation to all, but the choice lies with the individual.
While Calvinism seeks to honor God’s sovereignty, its doctrines often distort Scripture by limiting the scope of God’s grace and undermining human responsibility. The Bible consistently affirms that salvation is available to all, that Christ died for the sins of the entire world, and that individuals must choose to respond in faith. Rather than adhering to a theological framework that excludes many from God’s grace, Christians should embrace the full message of the Gospel: a universal call to repentance and faith in Christ.As Paul reminds us: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
John Mammen, johnpm29@yahoo.com 
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