Tulip: The Five Points of Calvinism in the Light of Scripture
TULIP is a popular acronym for the five points of
Calvinism--total depravity, unconditional election, limited
atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. In
this book, these five points are not only concisely explained in
the light of the Bible but are also helpfully contrasted to the
corresponding five points of Arminianism. The differences between
Calvanistic and Arminian beliefs are also summarized at the end of
the book for quick reference.
Anyone looking for an accessible explanation of this somewhat
difficult and controversial doctrine, or looking for help in
explaining it to others, will find this an invaluable resource.
TULIP has had steady sales since its original Baker
publication in 1979, and there is now nearly 55,000 copies in
print.
From the Back Cover
TULIP is a popular acronym for the five points of
Calvinism-total depravity, unconditional election, limited
atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the
saints.
In this classic book, these five points are concisely explained in
the light of the Bible. They are also helpfully contrasted with the
corresponding five points of Arminianism, which originally prompted
the Calvinistic five-point statement at Dort.
Formerly of Arminian persuasion, Duane Edward Spencer shares
insights he gained while searching the Scriptures to "see if these
things be so." He supplies snippets of church history and
selections from the Westminster Confession of Faith (1648) to
complement his succinct explanations of the five points.
The basic beliefs of both Arminians and Calvinists, along with the
Scriptures used by each to support its views, are summarized at the
end of the book for quick and easy reference.
Duane Edward Spencer was the pastor of the Grace Orthodox
Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas.
Top Highlights
“Total depravity means that man, of his own ‘free will,’ will never make a decision for Christ.” (source)
“When we speak of the ‘will’ of Jehovah we must remember that it is but the expression of His omnipotent, omniscient Being. If He is omnipotent, as Scripture testifies, He will achieve all that He purposes, and, if He is omniscient, He will make no mistakes in His original plan, nor will he ever find it necessary to alter His original purpose.” (source)
“When we speak of the meritorious work of Christ on the cross, do we rightfully say that He died for all men equally and alike (as say the Arminians), or do we more accurately state (with the Calvinists) that Christ died for the elect only?” (source)
“It does not mean that God does violence to man’s spirit by forcing him to do something he does not want to do.” (source)
“The Calvinist insists that salvation is based on the free will of God, and since God is omnipotent, His grace cannot be resisted. The Arminian replies that salvation is based upon the free will of man, who is capable of rejecting the sovereign will of God (even when wooed by the Holy Spirit). He is powerful enough to obstruct or resist the grace of the God who desperately wants all men to be saved!” (source)
Product Details
- Title : Tulip: The Five Points of Calvinism in the Light of Scripture
- Authors:
- Spencer, Duane Edward
- Whitlock, Luder
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2002
- ISBN: 9781585584581
Duane Edward Spencer was the pastor of the Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas.