TULIP: The Five Points of Calvinism
Understand the role of God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners, historically known as Calvinism.
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Understand the role of God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners, historically known as Calvinism.
The purpose of this course to teach the role of God’s sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. This teaching is historically referred to as “Calvinism” and briefly summarized by the following points: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. The following course provides a brief historical overview of Calvinism followed by an explanation of the five points, sometimes referred to as “TULIP.” The primary guide for this course is a series of seminar lessons taught by John Piper. In this course, the five points are covered in a non-traditional order, starting with irresistible grace. Ultimately, the goal of this course is that God’s sovereign grace in salvation would be clearly seen.
The Bible has lasted for over 2,000 years and has stood against countless attacks. Therefore, it is the superior authority in matters of faith, practice, and doctrine. In this lesson, John Piper begins by sharing five assumptions a person should have as they look to the Bible for answers. He then gives a brief overview of Calvinism and Arminianism. Finally, Piper introduces the concept of Irresistible Grace (38:10): God’s work of renewal in our hearts which necessarily brings about saving faith.
In this section, we move from irresistible grace to the condition that makes it necessary, namely total depravity (Video One – 23:30). If grace were not irresistible, we would not incline to God. In this lesson, John Piper explains the importance of viewing our depravity in relation to God. He then walks through five senses in which man is totally depraved and concludes with a brief introduction to unconditional election (Video Two – 23:15), which he will continue in the following lesson.
In the last lesson, John Piper ended the discussion on total depravity by introducing the reality of unconditional election. All of us have proven guilty; all of us justly deserve punishment. Therefore, unconditional election is gracious, free, and owing nothing to a person’s merit. In the following videos, Piper describes the purpose of unconditional election — that no one may boast. He then concludes by explaining God’s justice in unconditional election.
God’s ultimate goal in the universe is to magnify and display the supreme greatness and value of his glory. All of creation, from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy, was created to declare the glory of God. And yet, God’s glory is most clearly seen in the substitutionary death of Jesus. The doctrine of limited atonement affirms that when Christ died, he secured faith and repentance for God’s elect. In this lesson, John Piper defines and defends the doctrine of limited atonement.
The Bible describes the Christian life as a life-long fight of faith. Believers are called to “fight the good fight,” “continue in the faith,” “stand firm,” and “persevere.” But, what hope is there that we will win this fight? In the following video, John Piper argues against a “mechanical” understanding of eternal security, which claims that a person is saved no matter what they do. Instead, he shows that true believers must persevere and true believers will persevere. Those who are justified will win this fight.
In this final video, John Piper shares ten implications of being a Calvinist. These ten points are his personal testimony to the effects of believing in the five points of Calvinism. May they stir you to search, Berean-like, to see if the Bible teaches what he calls “Calvinism.”
Resource curated for The Gospel Coalition by Fred Zaspel and Nick Harsh.