What Are the Five Points of Calvinism?
Posted On October 12, 2023
Written by Dr. Keith Mathison, professor of systematic theology
One of the phrases readers commonly encounter in contemporary Reformed theological works is “the five points of Calvinism.” Often, the five points will be outlined through the use of the acronym TULIP. Each of the five letters in TULIP stands for one of the five points:
T: Total Depravity
U: Unconditional Election
L: Limited Atonement
I: Irresistible Grace
P: Perseverance of the Saints
Before we look briefly at the meaning of these five doctrines, it is important to make a couple of preliminary comments. First, and probably most importantly, we need to be aware that these five points merely summarize one particular aspect of Reformed theology, namely, its response to the Arminian controversy. If by “Calvinism” we mean Reformed theology, then “Calvinism” includes far more than five points. The complete “points” of Reformed theology are found in Reformed confessions such as the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Westminster Confession of Faith contains 33 chapters, and each of those chapters has multiple points of doctrine. The five points of Calvinism are part of that larger system of Reformed theology.
Second, the TULIP acronym is of rather recent origin. It appears to have originated in an address delivered in 1905. The earliest known occasion where it occurs in print is 1915, and the author of that piece indicates that he got it from the address he heard in 1905. It was popularized in Loraine Boettner’s 1932 book The Doctrine of Predestination. From there, it has taken on a life of its own. None of this is to say that the TULIP acronym should not be used. I mention it simply to dispel the notion that some have that the acronym originated with Calvin himself. Aside from the fact that Calvin himself would have loathed the word “Calvinism,” he didn’t speak English, so if he was going to create an acronym, it would have likely been French or Latin.
The “five points of Calvinism” are closely related to the main points of doctrine in the Canons of Dort. In 1610, the followers of Jacob Arminius presented to the Dutch Church “Five Articles of Remonstrance.” These five points offered alternative interpretations of the Reformed doctrines of election, atonement, depravity, grace, and perseverance. The Synod of Dort was held in 1618–1619 to deal with these questions, and they produced the Canons of Dort in response to the Arminians. The Canons did not discuss every element of Reformed theology. They assumed the remaining “points of Calvinism” found in the Belgic Confession. The Canons of Dort are structured around five “Heads of Doctrine” corresponding to the five doctrines listed in the Remonstrance. The First Head of Doctrine concerns divine predestination and election. The Second Head concerns the death of Christ and the work of atonement. The Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine are grouped together and concern total depravity and the grace of God in the work of converting fallen human beings. Finally, the Fifth Head of Doctrine concerns the perseverance of the saints.
It is clear that the five points of Calvinism are related to the Five Heads of Doctrine in the Canons of Dort. And just as the Canons of Dort are to be understood in the context of the Belgic Confession, the five points of Calvinism are also to be understood within the larger context of confessional Reformed theology. When that context is remembered, then the five points can serve their purpose, which is to contrast Reformed theology with Arminian theology.
- Total Depravity
In contrast to the popular Arminian view that man is merely wounded by sin, Reformed theology teaches the doctrine of total depravity. This does not mean that every person is as bad as he could possibly be; it means that the fall corrupted every aspect of human nature and that fallen man is dead in sin. Not sick, dead.
- Unconditional Election
In contrast to the Arminian view that God elected some based on their foreseen faith in Christ, Reformed theology teaches the doctrine of unconditional election. This means that God’s election of sinners to salvation is not conditioned on anything outside of God’s nature. God is not dependent in any way on His creatures.
- Limited Atonement
In contrast to the Arminian view that Christ’s death was for all of humanity, making the redemption of all human beings possible, Reformed theology teaches the doctrine of limited atonement (or better, definite atonement). This means that rather than making redemption possible, Christ actually accomplished the redemption of those for whom He died.
- Irresistible Grace
In contrast to the Arminian view that grace is resistible, Reformed theology teaches the doctrine of irresistible grace. Reformed theology teaches that the Holy Spirit will regenerate all those for whom Christ died. While unbelievers may resist the external call of the gospel, the elect among them will hear and respond to the internal call. God will sovereignly give them the gift of faith, and they will walk out of the tomb of spiritual death.
- Perseverance of the Saints
Finally, in contrast to the Arminian view that truly regenerate Christians can fall away permanently from the faith, Reformed theology teaches the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Those who have been chosen by God, those for whom Christ died and who have been called out of death and into life, God will preserve by His grace until the end. No one will ever snatch them out of their Father’s hand.