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Written by Loraine Boettner
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Page 8 of 8
THE "FIVE POINTS" OF CALVINISM
1. Total Inability or Total Depravity
Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the
gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is
deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free, it is in bondage to
his evil nature, therefore, he will not - indeed he cannot - choose good over
evil in the spiritual realm. Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit's
assistance to bring a sinner to Christ - it takes regeneration by which the
Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature. Faith is not something
man contributes to salvation but is itself a port of God's gift of salvation -
it is God's gift to the sinner, not the sinner's gift to God.
2. Unconditional Election
God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of
the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular
sinners was not based on any foreseen response of obedience on their part, such
as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to
each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of
God's choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any
virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom God sovereignly elected He
brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus
God's choice of the sinner, not the sinner's choice of Christ, is the ultimate
cause of salvation.
3. Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement
Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually
secured salvation for them. His death was substitutionary endurance of the
penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting
away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary
for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith
is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore
guaranteeing their salvation.
4. The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace
In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone
who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call
that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call (which is made only
to th
e elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion. By means of
this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not
limited in His work of applying salvation by man's will, nor is He dependent
upon man's cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect
sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to
Christ. God's grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the
salvation of those to whom it is extended.
5. Perseverance of the Saints
All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit
are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and
thus persevere to the end.
According to Calvinism:
Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father
chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death
effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to
willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption,
regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man,
determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.
Amen.
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