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Calvinism

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The Doctrine of Calvinism

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Introduction Many people do not have a slight idea of what we mean by Calvinism. It is not a surprise because they know nothing about the doctrine. My effort is to try and help people understand the doctrine of Calvinism. I will try to explain what it is and the historical information behind it. It has a pretty wide doctrine that I will have the chance of defining it all through the paper. I think that it will be easy to highlight the scriptural basis linked to Calvinism. I will be glad to point out show the linkage present between Calvinism and scriptures in the Bible. There are different belief systems within Christianity of which Calvinism is one of them. Calvinism was taught by John Calvin, and it strictly pays attention to a very high view of scripture and tends to derive its theological formulations majorly on the word of God.
In the course, I will be pointing out the theological development of Calvinism. How has the theology developed from the past? How did it come to be? Has it be accepted by the Christians or not? However, at the end of my work, I will be glad to show reasons that Calvinism has been criticized. Therefore, I will be able to indicate the criticism of the doctrine and the reason why some people oppose this doctrine. Different people have divergent views about Calvinism hence; the objections are present and will be highlighted.
What people wonder is whether Calvinism is biblical or not. Many Christians have doubts and many questions in their mind about Calvinism. However, others believe and accept the doctrine of Calvinism and are satisfied with it. Therefore, there are those Christians who oppose the doctrine, as well as those who are satisfied with it. No one has to be restricted to have his or her different view of Calvinism because, in Christianity, you cannot force an individual to believe something when he or she is not at peace with its information. Therefore, my plan is to give a good and satisfactory explanation of this doctrine and hope to answer questions for those that question the doctrine.
Historical background of Calvinism
Calvinism is also known as the Reformed tradition or the Reformed faith. It is ideally a significant branch of Western Christianity that systematically follows the culture, tradition and other forms of Christian practice of John Calvin and other theologians. Calvinists differed with the Lutherans on the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, the theories of worship, as well as the use of God’s law for believers and followers among other things. Therefore, the Calvinists broke with the Roman Catholic Church .
Calvinism originated with the reformation taking place in Switzerland; wherethe theologian, Huldrych Zwingli, started preaching in Zurich way back in the year 1519. There then became a conflict over the genuine and real presence of Christ in the Eucharist between Martin Luther and Huldrych thus, it led to the division between the Protestants that followed Luther and Zwingli. It was at this point that great theologians like John Calvin succeeded Zwingli. Such theologians were very influential in the development and spread of Reformed theology.
John Calvin came to be known after the death of Zwingli. The first generation theologians included the likes of Huldrych Zwingli and John Oecolampadius. These theologians had an opposition to the bodily presence of Christ particularly in the Lord’s Supper. They firmly believed that salvation only by grace alone and hence, they comfortably identified a similar doctrine of particular election where they argued that some individuals are ordained by God for salvation.
On the other hand, the likes of John Calvin and Wolfgang Musculus are those who belong to the second generation theologians. Due to Calvin’s successful missionary work, there was the upholding of Calvinism in the Electoral Palatinate. What followed was the spread of Calvinism in many countries including Scotland and England and finally the rest of the world.
This shows that even before John Calvin, Calvinism concepts prove to have existed and was present way long before he was born. Therefore, the early reformers had started the reformation and had already begun it as they continuously taught many similar doctrines to those of John Calvin. There are concepts of Neo-Calvinism, as well as New Calvinism. A version of Calvinism has been adopted by the theological conservatives and liberals in the Dutch Reformed Churches . New Calvinism has become influential in the present generation in many evangelical circles. It has continuously blended Calvinism soteriology and has had many Charismatic views and understandings of the spiritual gifts.
Calvinism in the new world
In today’s generation, the spirit of Calvinism is making itself known to all of Christianity, and it has continuously characterized by a firm combination of God-consciousness with a quick sense of mission. It is not primarily a rich man’s religion, but its most faithful believers, historically, have been among the less successful. Capitalists who reflect Calvinistic ethics are majorly concerned not with plenty of wealth, but with using it as a beneficiary of others. The spirit can no longer be identified by only reformed churches; it has also gone beyond ecclesiastical bounds seeking for union and intercommunion. Calvin’s message is to all individuals. And that message points out that in every circumstance; every man has to do with God.
The power of the biblical doctrines that the theologist John Calvin taught and spread impact our world today. Some people quiver when they take a deep thought of returning Calvinism. These people believe that they would at some point stay at a place of intellectual neutrality and objectivity than to have commitments to the mission that Calvinism demands. However, the spirit of Calvinism in the present era is not that easy to define. Therefore, Calvinism in the generation today has brought about many doubts and questions among different people as well as churches worldwide. Christians may not know what Calvinism I all about because the spread of Calvinism has not been common to them.
The five points of Calvinism
These well-known five points were not selected by Calvinists but, they emerged to be a response to the Arminians who objected them. The doctrine of Calvinism can be clearly understood using some five key points that arise from it. According to Calvinism, salvation is achieved by the divine power of the Supreme God. Here, we get that the process that includes election, salvation, as well as regeneration is the total work of the Father, God, and it is by grace alone. Therefore, God chose a people; the Son died for these people He chose, and the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, makes the death of Christ fully complete. The Holy Spirit makes Christ’s death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance hence, they are able obey the Gospel without any objection .
The doctrine of salvation contained in the Holy Scriptures came up after the reaffirmation of the theology system. Therefore, the system was put together into five points in an attempt to have answers to the unscriptural five significant points that were offered by the Arminians to the Church of Holland way back in the year 1610. The acrostic TULIP helps us easily recognize and understand the five points of Calvinism. T stands for Total Depravity or Inability, U for Unconditional Election, L for Limited Atonement. I and P stand for Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints respectively. I will thereby, evaluate these five points and see what they state to us even if they represent the main points of Calvinism.
Calvinism pays attention to God’s sovereignty, teaching us that God is able and willing by the dignity of his omniscience and omnipotence nature, to freely do what He wants with that which He has created. It also tells us about the teachings of the Bible. Arminianism maintains that God predetermined, but not in an unconditional sense. It also tells us that Jesus Christ died for the sins of all individuals who have ever lived and will come to live in the future, not just for Christians. Arminianism suggests that one has the potential of losing his or her salvation and also salvation is an individual’s choice. Hence, one can decide to get saved or not get saved at all depending on what he or she wants.

Total Depravity

It is also commonly known as Original Sin. Sin has indeed been evident in all men. Sin affects us all even in our bodies as well as our emotions. It is true to say that we are sinful humans. Hence, it is evident we are all sinners. Total Inability is acquired from Scriptures of the Bible that clearly indicate the character of humans. Calvinists have no answer to how it is possible for someone to choose or long for God since the scriptures tell them that man does not have that capability. Moreover, we are not saved because of our will at all but instead, by God’s will. According to Total Depravity, God is the Fatherthat appoints people to believe and, therefore, faith is, nothing but the work of God. Hence, God predetermines, and we are only believers who are chosen by God to have faith in what He says in the Bible.
Today, by saying Original Sin, what we mean is the level of ungodliness man has in nature. Therefore, by the fall of man intosin, he lost the ability of will to any of the spiritual good and was hence, not able to realize himself. The whole Bible, from the first book to the last one, provides the proof that we need about the origin of sin and the ungodliness that led to the fall of man.
Moreover, Total Depravity is at some point the most unaccepted and misunderstood point of Calvinism. Calvinism makes an extensive statement concerning Total Depravity rather than making a more radical statement with regard to it. Calvin suggests that indeed, man is unsaved because he is a slave of his sins. Calvin points out that without the power of the Holy Spirit, the natural man is not capable of seeing and hearing the messages that are present in the Gospel. Therefore, this makes Total Depravity be termed as Total Inability because, without the knowledge of God, man can never realize his capability. Probably this is because without God makes him alive through Jesus Christ.
What I can say is that Calvinism shows us that as a result of man’s sinful deeds, every individual is enslaved to sin because he fell into sin. Moreover, Calvin meant that total depravity indicates the inability to save oneself but rather, being absent of goodness. Therefore, Calvinists believe that the entire human race has been affected by the fall of Adam into sin, and the human race is not able to save itself from sin.
Unconditional Election
Since man has falleninto sin and is not able to respond to God’s call, certain people have been elected by God so as to be saved. This is because man does not have the ability to elect people to salvation and is even not willing to do so. Therefore, God chooses the elect according to His will and kind intention to His creation. Moreover, it tells us that the elected are not chosen out of any merits from God. God takes no consideration when selecting them but, does it according to His will. Therefore, this means that anyone can be chosen by God to bring salvation despite any ill thoughts about the individual. God looked at nothing but, He unconditionally chooses them because of His love and mercy on His creation.
Hence, salvation is brought to them only through acceptance of Jesus Christ. The doctrine, however, does not contradict the responsibility of man to accept and believe the mighty works of God the Son . The doctrine attempts to tell us that even if man and God fell apart after the fall of man into sin, God’s saving grace is a revelation of His merciful deeds. It is a clear indication of God’s good works of bringing up good people full of grace .

Limited Atonement
When it comes to limited atonement, Calvinism tries to find the solutions to the question that arises regarding those individuals Christ died for. Christ may have died for many but, he did not do it for all. Specifically, He died for Christians who are today said to be the unseen church. According to the Bible, God sent Christ to die and save those that He wanted to be saved.
This makes the ideology to face numerous objections mostly from those that think that Limited Atonement brings controversies to evangelists. Christ, therefore, died to wash away sins for certain sinners selected by God, and make them holy. Not all men are saved. Thus, this indicates that He did not die for all but only for a chosen few. In this doctrine, evangelism is brought up in it just because the evangelist tell their follower or believers that Christ died for sinners, and, as a result, those whom he died for will not be lost by Him.
Because of God’s own election, He selected those that are fit to be saved and affirmed that Christ is supposed to die for those He has elected only. The elected will thereby be all saved by Christ through shedding of his blood and death. Calvinists figure out that the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ was enough for Him to save all humans. Calvinists are determined that Christ did not shed His blood without a purpose.
Irresistible Grace
The doctrine points out that those elected by God are attached to Him through irresistible grace. Man is free to go to God and accept Him if he is willing to do so. Man is supposed to respond to God’s call when He elects him. This makes irresistible grace also to be known as efficacious grace. Obeying God’s call of the gospel builds their faith of His saving mission. This implies that when God intends to save someone, nothing can stop Him, and the individual will certainly be saved by Him.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, an elected sinner cleanses his or her sins, cooperates with what God wants and finally repents to accept Christ willingly. They are, therefore, able to overcome resistance and obey the call of the gospel. It is an inward calling that cannot be rejected, unlike some outward callings that are often rejected. Irresistible grace is at some point compatible with witnessing and preaching that tries to tell people to do things that are reasonable.
Not being in the position of repenting and accepting God implies that one is resisting the Holy Spirit. Therefore, irresistible grace simply is God’s sovereign work so as to fight the resistance of our heart and will enable us to have faith in Christ so that we can all be saved. If we are enslaved to sin, unable to give ourselves to God, believing in Christ will be a problem unless we overcome our rebellion through God.
Perseverance of the Saints
Those God has elected and saved are safe and secure because they cannot lose their salvation after being selected by God. They are forever secure. Not a soul that God has elected and saved will be lost because they have been drawn to Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, perseverance of the saints is a doctrine that the saints who are obviously those saved by God will remain under God’s protection and will be glorified in heaven. The Calvinist accept the Word of God and firmly believe in Christ's promise that He will truly fulfill the will God the Father in saving all those He tends to be His elect.
In summary of this, what I can say is that Calvinism has tried to show Biblical scriptures in support to what they are trying to teach us. The doctrine has tried to express its views and respond to what Arminians objected. Moreover, it at some point contradicts what the Church teaches us today.
Theological Development of the Calvinism Doctrine In the 16th century as discussed above, a well-known Protestant rose and become the man behind the Christian doctrine of Calvinism. John Calvin was his name, and it is clear that this movement got its name from the initiator. Calvin like any other leader was in the front line to ensure that his mission was not just a success but also a long lasting success that would be appreciated by generations that would follow. The term is more of a doctrine and practices that went through various levels of theological development . The primary aim of this practice was to reform the church. This section of my paper will look into details of how the Calvinism doctrine developed over time from a theological angle. Calvinism did take a different geographical route when it came to its development. The reason Calvinism had to get a different route is that Lutheranism had been largely confined in large parts of Germany and Scandinavia nations that include Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Calvinism began to find root in large parts of England, France, Netherlands and Scotland. It is good to note that Calvinism spread its roots in the English-speaking colonies in the northern part of America, some parts of Germany where Lutheranism had not taken roots and also in some parts of Central Europe. Calvinism expansion across the globe took part during Calvin’s lifetime. The movement initially was thought to be political, but later the ideas and motives behind this movement became clear. The theological development of Calvinism doctrine begun when refugees, especially from France, flooded into Geneva .
Millions of people were moving out of France during the mid 16th century after the government became increasingly intolerant. When these slaves poured into the city, Calvin welcomed them with open hands and trained them as ministers of the Word and the doctrine of Calvinism found its first step in theological development. Calvinism sent the trained minister to their motherlands where they were to go and spread the gospel. The sending of highly trained ministers was a landmark in the theological development of this doctrine. When Jesus left for heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to help the apostles. The case is similar when Calvin sent these ministers, he supported with letters of encouragement and pieces of advice. From then up to date Geneva became an international centre for a global movement and also the model for churches. One of the Calvinists leader from Scotland describes this step in the theological development of Calvinism as a perfect school o Christ that was ever seen on earth after that of the apostles. The theological development of Calvinism in Geneva was a forecast of the fate that waited for other Calvinist ministers out there. Another landmark in the development process came in the year 1619 when Calvinists reached a climax in Netherlands at Synod of Dort. The Synod of Dort was a spell of various corollaries of predestination something that Calvin never did before. Despite provoking that the synod went through, it was still attended by some representatives of the Reformed churches. There was a group of theologians who were not satisfied with the theological development of Calvinism especially Calvin’s rhetorical writing that was loose. They went into details of appealing to the medieval Scholastic authorities. Calvinism theological development made another milestone when they had their major theological statement of the 17th century. It was the Institutio Theologiae Elencticae (1688; Institutes of Elenctic Theology) of François Turretin, who was the chief pastor in Geneva. This statement was a recall of Calvin’s work that resembled the Institutes of Christian Religion, which was never published in vernacular languages. The dialectical structure of this masterpiece did follow a model that was initially patented to Summae of Thomas Aquinas. What it suggested was the confidence that Thomas had in the value of human reasoning. This shift had a long lasting significance that was postulated Turretin’s work in a basic textbook of theology at the Princeton Theological Seminary, which is based in New Jersey. Princeton Theological Seminary was the most elite and intellectual center of American Calvinism whose dominance lasted until the middle of 19th century. As expected there some historians who studied this theological development and there have been some debates on where the theological development of Calvinism. The primary argument that is put across is whether these developments were essentially faithful to the beliefs of Calvin it is good to note that in some sense the beliefs were true. There were some points in the theological development when these beliefs abandoned Calvin’s humanism. These changes suggest of routinization . Routinization, as it was put across by Max Weber, is usually a stage of development that comes after a movement has had a creative beginning. All this changes in the theological development of Calvinism occurred during a period of singular disorder that was caused by a chronological religious warfare that produced the certainty of peace and security across the world.
Scriptural basis of the Calvinism doctrine There is a question that has always come up when the scriptural basis of Calvinism is traced. The question is, is Calvinism Biblical? What does the Bible say about this doctrine? This section of my document is going to look into details of what the Christian biblical scripture says about the doctrine of Calvinism. For decades and centuries, the doctrine of Calvinism has been one of the most questioned, talked about and discussed practices across global religions. Christians both amateurs and professional have divided themselves into two groups that are the Calvinists and the Arminians.
There is another group that has not been given much attention by scholars, and the group is the one that has accepted neither the extreme views or rejected the tenets that are put across but both positions. The primary scope of this section of my paper will be to look into details of revealing who was this man, John Calvin and were is teaching in the movements as per the scripture. I am not going to judge, but I am just going to try and see what kind of teachings did were they. There are those people who believe in the bible and are keen followers of the word of God, and the truth of the word is what is going to be used in determining the truth of this doctrine. For one to understand the scripture basis of this doctrine it is important to talk about the five points that formed the basis for Calvinism doctrine.
All those who believe in Christ and the holy trinity of God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit love God. Unless they go wrong what they do is supposed to bring them close to God. For us to know whether the actions and practices of Calvinism are Godly or not there is the need of looking at the five key points related to the doctrine.
The first points that will be analyzed for the scriptural basis of the paper are total depravity that talks about the origin of sin. Sin is something that has affected everyone, and it will not only involve our heart, mind, soul emotions and body but will also affect them. Calvinism point of total depravity can be quoted from the book of Mark 7:21 to 23. The book of Mark in this chapter talks about how a man’s heart was created to be evil. The book of Jeremiah 17:9 talks about how man’s heart is sick while the book of Roman 6:20 talks about how the man was made a slave of sin. The book of Romans goes into details if showing how the man does not care about seeking God and inRoman3: 10 to 12 the Bible talks about the failure of man in seeking God. 1st Corinthians 2: 14 talks about how a man does not even care or he does not understand the spiritual things.
The total depravity of Calvinism doctrine has also been quoted several times in a book of Ephesians 2: 15 which talks about a man and the enmity he has with God . According to Calvin, a man is not capable of declaring his true nature since he has no desire and according to him, God must predestine. By origin of sin, Calvinism doctrine teaches about the evil quality that has characterized a man’s natural will and also deposition. This will and deposition are what Calvinism practices called the sin of nature since a man is born a sinner. According to the Bible, if we (men) say that we have not sinned, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth of Christ is not in us.
God chooses whom he is pleased with according to the teaching of Calvinism. He does not choose on the basis of any merit that is shown or was once shown by the object of his grace. His election is not based on whether that person would accept the offer of the gospel or not. He chooses the one he wants and when he want to do what he wants for him. The act of election is something that God has done even before he could bring human beings into the earth. The book of Proverb 23:26 say, “My sons give me thy heart.” The words of Solomon are wise and this one it is the voice of God asking for man’s heart. God require truth, and there is no way through which man can deceive God. God had only one son. When he sent his son to die for the crown he died for all for that anyone who will believe in him shall have eternal life, this is according to the book of John 3:16. There other scriptures that quote God unlimited election. The scriptures include Matthew 26:28 and Ephesians 5:25-27.
The third talking point about Calvinism is the limited atonement. According to Calvinism teaching Jesus did not die for everyone, Jesus died for the elect few. The book of John 10:11 to 15 say that Jesus died for the sheep. The concept that is applied to this doctrine is that Jesus died for many souls, not all souls. There are those souls that do not believe in Jesus. Going back to the Bible in the book of Acts 20:28 and Eph 5:25- 27 states that Jesus in his prayers will intercede for those who are given to him. The prayers there are not in point of time that the prayers will be for the whole world.
It is one of the paramount talking points that are put across by Calvinism theory. The doctrine argues that if God through His Son Jesus Christ calls you into his kingdom, power or salvation you have no option or power to resist. He is a mighty God, who is always there for us and his powers, are second to none. Calvinism views God as the kings of kings, and his superiority cannot be compared to anybody. One good thing to note about God is that he will always, as he has always offered the gospel messages to all people despite their location. It is up to people to decide whether to accept the gospel or not. The calling by the Holy Spirit to a person will completely transform that person since it will work on the minds, heart and the souls of the elect . The elect apart from this will be poured and showered with forgiveness if they will repent and regeneration if they come to God. The Bible in the book of Romans 9:16 just give an affirmation to this doctrine by Calvinism practices. The Bible promises and says that it is not of him who wills or of him who runs, it can also be both, but is of the mercy that God will show to them. Acts 13:18 talks about where God will appoint people to believe.
The last point that comes with the doctrine of Calvinism is the perseverance of saints. Once you acquire your salvation, you cannot lose it because it the father who elected you and his son Jesus Christ have redeemed you. The Holy Spirit applies the salvation and helps you to sail through the Christian life. What the Bible teaches is that Christianity is an eternity, and the teachings have made people believe that there is life after death which is an everlasting life. John 10:27, Jesus said that his sheep. In this case, he was referring to the Christians who have believed in him will never perish and no matter what they go through they, will always come out as victors. There will be some temptations that will come along, but it is nothing to worry about since they will never out do as since he who lives in us, Christ, is greater than them. God will be faithful his word, and whatever comes along the way he will stand by us without any problem or issue. He promises us he won’t tempt his saints with temptations that they cannot handle in the book of Philippians 1:6 and 1st Corinthians 10:13 After a critical analysis of the five talking point of Calvinism, it is irrefutable to say that Calvinism doctrine has found its roots in what it needs to have a scriptural basis. Every point has found several biblical quotations that make the doctrine unquestionably on the issue of biblical basis. The Bible can be used as a defending force for Calvinism practices. There were some points when Calvin was teaching the doctrine of Calvinism when he went against the scripture. They are personal views, and they do not fully show the talking points of Calvinism doctrine.
Criticism and Objection to the Doctrine
Nothing has ever been fully appreciated in the society, and so Calvinism is not different in any way. There are some people who have come up with objections and criticism towards this doctrine and this section of my paper is going to cover the objections that Calvinism faced in the past and the current society. The primary reason Calvinism has be objected in the society is due to its argument. The primary argument that has been objected is the view that God did not send his son to die for everyone.
According to Calvinism God, did not send his son for all he sent his son, Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the chosen few whom they are called the elect. This is been counter-attacked with the word of God from the book of 1 John 2:2. Jesus clearly says that himself is a propitiation for the human beings sins, not for us who believe but for the whole world. Jesus died for the whole world, not part of as Calvinism has been arguing. According to the practices of Calvinism, the elect are the only one who can receive the gift if the forgiveness that came after Jesus died on the cross. It is not the case, the grace of God is available freely for anyone who will believe in him thus it is not only the elect. When Jesus died on the cross, his blood was meant for the whole world, his graces are sufficient for all of us, which has been quoted on several occasion by the Bible . The criticism and objections for Calvinism do not stop there; criticism digs deep into doubting what Calvinism says that we believe according to our very own respective natures. Calvinism says that we were all born sinners, and there is no one who can oppose this since it is in the bible. Sinning is part of human living. Calvinists do say that we believe according to what respective natures we have, and there is no one who will doubt that. The word of God is clear, if people say that they have not sinned, they shall be deceiving themselves. Calvinism doctrine has come up with a word that is close to this; depravity is the name. According to the teachings of Calvinism practices, a man is usually depraved, and he has been marked by corruption or evil. Calvinism goes to with their teachings and says that since a man is depraved, he cannot choose God, and the reason that they put here is that God is the ultimate of goodness. Calvinism says that a man’s nature will only bring him closer to evil but not goodness that can be found in God. They say that a man has been enslaved to evils and sin, and this will only increase the gap between God and man. Yes, man has a sinful nature but God is in control he can change that man if he wants. Before that person can repent God already knows it, and he is prepared for it and in this case Calvinism has no option rather than accept this objection.
People have questioned the teachings of this doctrine. It has been objected and criticized for its stand about the gospel and the salvation that Jesus brought in that it is not good news. The Bible in the first four book of New Testament talks about the gospel which Jesus Christ as good news. Calvinism doctrine has been objected as not being good news. The good news of God is that he sent Jesus Christ to die for all people contrary to what Calvinism says about the death of Christ. The death of Christ was mean to bring healing, salvation reconciliation of man with God among many other purposes. Calvinism does not talk about the good news of salvation to all. One thing that Calvinism doctrine and practitioners should understand is that when God is working in the life of a person and salvation, he does not save anyone so that they can believe, but he will save anyone who has believed in him.
Conclusion
Calvinism is a Christian doctrine that has found millions of followers since it was first put across by Calvin John. The doctrine has since then been in practice, and it has changed the lives of many people who have followed its teachings. The paramount focus of the Calvinism doctrine and teachings was to ensure there was a total transformation of the church. Calvinism has five talking point that are the first point among the five points is Total depravity that has taken root in finding the origin of sin. The other point which constitutes the doctrine it talks about the unconditional election and, in this case, the kind of elections is God’s election. The third talking point about Calvinism is the limited atonement that talks about a particular redemption. Irresistible grace by God makes the fourth point. Finally the fifth and the last talking pint of the doctrine is the perseverance of saints. There are some people who have come up with objections and criticism towards this doctrine. There are those who feel that the doctrine is doing it in the current way. What I can say about this doctrine is that it has managed to transform and help millions of people to understand Christianity, but I would not make a decision for anyone on what to do with this doctrine. Bibliography
Burek, Josh. 2010. "Christian faith: five points of New Calvinism." The Christian Science Monitor, 2010. General OneFile, EBSCOhost (accessed June 29, 2015).
Höpfl, Harro, and Gijsbert van den Brink. Calvinism and the Making of the European Mind. Leiden: BRILL, 2014. Discovery eBooks, EBSCOhost (accessed June 28, 2015).
Matheson, Peter. 2009. "John Calvin in Godzone." Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal Of Christian Thought & Practice 17, no. 2: 5-9. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 29, 2015).
Muller, Richard A. 2011. "The 'Reception of Calvin' in Later Reformed eology: Concluding oughts." Church History & Religious Culture 91, no. 1/2: 255-274. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 29, 2015).
Neuhaus, Richard John. "Five-point Calvinism, as many readers will know, refers to TULIP." First Things: A Monthly Journal Of Religion And Public Life no. 180 (2008): 61. Academic OneFile, EBSCOhost (accessed June 28, 2015).
Ross Macdonald, James. 2014. "Calvinist Theology and "Country Divinity" in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus." Studies In Philology 111, no. 4: 821-844. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 28, 2015).

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