What Are the Major Beliefs of Calvinism?
The major beliefs of Calvinism can be summarized in five points: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and perseverance of the saints. These points are typically remembered by the abbreviation “TULIP” and are the components God considers when choosing those for salvation. Calvinism was founded in France by John Calvin.
Calvinism, also known as “Reformed Christianity,” is one of the major branches of Protestantism. The religion developed from the reformed movement in the 1500s. Calvinists believe that all that is known about God is communicated by him through the Word of God. The Word of God is passed to the people through Jesus.
The five points is Calvinism’s doctrine of salvation. It is believed to have been developed from the Synod of Dordt in 1619. The first point, total depravity, is the result of the fall of man into sin. As a result, people are unable to save themselves from sin. Unconditional election, the second point, states that God has already chosen all those in eternity who he will save. Limited atonement is the third point and states that when Jesus atoned for the people’s sins, he only atoned for those who had been elected by God. Irresistible grace states that God’s grace has already been applied to those he will save. It overrides their resistance to salvation. The last point, perseverance of the saints, states that the saints will stay with God until they are glorified.
