Truly T.U.L.I.P.

The acronym T.U.L.I.P was invented by the followers of John Calvin as a convenient way to sum up the Philosophy and Creeds of their theology, in response to the five points of the Remonstrants. “Remonstrant” means, “one who protests”, and these protesters were the followers of Jacob Arminius who were protesting the Magisterium of Calvinism, in favor of having the liberty to disagree with Calvin’s idea of Particular Election.

The reason for this post is because traditionally followers of Arminius have readily rejected all (but one or two) of the Calvinist T.U.L.I.P. But recently I read a post in which one Arminian writer utilizes the T.U.L.I.P. acronym in favor of the Biblical teaching on these matters:

Total Depravity

Mankind is totally depraved, but God has extended His common grace to all so that every man or woman can search and find God [through the prompting and calling of the Holy Spirit].

Unconditional Election

[God has unconditionally Elected Christ before the foundation of the world to die for all men, and in this way] God elected all men to salvation but most refuse His offer.

Limited Atonement

The atonement of Christ is open to all men everywhere and is limited only by our refusal to be saved [our rejection of God's saving grace].

Irresistible Grace

The “common grace” [prevenient grace] of God is given to all men everywhere and it is irresistible, but saving grace can be refused by a stubborn heart.

Perseverance of the Saints

Once saved, a person will always be saved unless by defiant, continual, purposeful, rebellion he or she refuses God’s grace and chooses apostasy – from which there is no return.

Source:

The framework for this Arminian reinterpretation of T.U.L.I.P. was taken from the article The Triumph of Arminianism (and its dangers) by Keith Drury. I slightly modified each point.

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