5 Misconceptions about The 5 Points of Calvinism Part I

Jesus saved me from my life of artificial happiness when I was closing in on 17. I spent the following 2 years trying to catch up to the homeschoolers at my church in bible trivia. Jesus’ saving grace was evident in the direction my life was heading, but His love wasn’t tangible nor did I find the most joy in my pursuit of knowing Him more intimately. Brian, my Youth Pastor at the time, started a weekday study group which would introduce and lead me to what I know today as Calvinism.

As I studied Calvinism within my church it became very apparent that it wasn’t a popular Doctrine. I recall studying at a local Starbucks when a fellow Church attendee came in to visit. We chatted for a while but as she was leaving she called the book I was reading (The Five Points of Calvinism) poison. I didn’t understand what was so offensive about Calvinism at the time, but as I’ve grown in my comprehension of The Bible and The Doctrine I’ve been able to identify some misconceptions.

1. I’m not a follower of John Calvin. Like you, I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. Many fellow believers take offense to the term Calvinist, and in turn call themselves Jesus’ (Jesus-sis) in an effort to make a point. Calvinism is The Doctrines of Grace. It has 5 main points which have been made into the acronym Tulip. Total Depravity, Unconditional Love, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. John Calvin was the chief expositor of these views and therefore his friends and colleagues coined Calvinism to be the way in which they were represented. Though the Doctrine is called Calvinism it has nothing to do with Calvin himself, but all to do with Jesus.

2. Being missional is just as important when you’re a Calvinist. Many tend to think since we believe God predetermined who will go to Heaven and Hell then there is no point in sharing the Gospel. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We do believe God has predestined Mankind to either Heaven or Hell but there’s more to it than that. As Calvinist we want to make more of God and less of ourselves; and that is very apparent in what we believe about Salvation. We believe Mankind is fully incapable of believing in God, and here are some examples.

Mankind…

• Cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14).
• Is full of evil (Mark 7:21-23).
• Does not seek for God (Rom. 3:11).
• Is lawless, rebellious, unholy, and profane (1 Tim. 1:9).

With all that said, the mission is still the same. We want to see God transform people’s lives and for them to find their ultimate Joy and Being in Christ!