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Home > Content Index > Theology > Calvinism and Arminianism > Doctrines of grace
What are the doctrines of grace?
Question: "What are the doctrines of grace?"
Answer: The phrase “doctrines of grace” is used as a replacement for the term “Calvinism,” in
order to remove the attention from John Calvin and instead focus on how the specific points are
biblically and theologically sound. The phrase “doctrines of grace” describes the soteriological
doctrines that are unique to Reformed theology, which is Calvinistic. These doctrines are
summarized with the acronym TULIP. The T in TULIP stands for Total Depravity, U for
Unconditional Election, L for Limited Atonement, I for Irresistible Grace, and P for Perseverance
of the Saints.
Reformed Christians believe that all five of the doctrines of grace are derived directly from the
Scripture and that the acronym TULIP accurately describes the Bible’s teaching on soteriology—
the doctrine of salvation. The following is a brief description of each of the letters in the acronym
TULIP.
Total Depravity - As a result of Adam’s fall, the entire human race is affected; all of Adam’s
descendants are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5). Calvinists are
quick to point out that this does not mean that all people are as bad as they could be. Rather, this
doctrine says that, as a result of man’s fall in Adam, all people are radically depraved from the
inside and that their depravity affects every area of their lives.
Unconditional Election - Because man is dead in sin, he is unable (and stubbornly unwilling) to
initiate a saving response to God. In light of this, God, from eternity past, mercifully elected a
particular people unto salvation (Ephesians 1:4–6). These people are comprised of men and
women from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). Election and
predestination are unconditional; they are not contingent on man’s response to God’s grace
(Romans 8:29–30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:11–12) because man, in his fallen state, is both unable and
unwilling to respond favorably to Christ’s offer of salvation.
Limited Atonement - The purpose of Christ’s atoning death was not to merely make men savable
and thus leaving the salvation of humanity contingent on man’s response to God’s grace. Rather,
the purpose of the atonement was to secure the redemption of a particular people (Ephesians
1:4–6; John 17:9). All whom God has elected and Christ died for will be saved (John 6:37–40, 44).
Many Reformed Christians prefer the term “particular redemption” as they feel that this phrase
more accurately captures the essence of this doctrine. It is not so much that Christ’s atonement is
limited as it is particular, intended for a specific people—God’s elect.
Irresistible Grace - God has elected a particular people to be the recipients of Christ’s atoning
work. These people are drawn to Christ by a grace that is irresistible. When God calls, man
responds (John 6:37, 44; 10:16). This teaching does not mean that God saves men against their
will. Rather, God changes the heart of the rebellious unbeliever so that he now desires to repent
and be saved. God’s elect will be drawn to Him, and that grace that draws them is, in fact,
irresistible. God replaces the unbeliever’s heart of stone with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). In
Reformed theology, regeneration precedes faith.
Perseverance of the Saints - The particular people God has elected and drawn to Himself through
the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None of those whom God has elected will be lost; they are
eternally secure in Him (John 10:27–29; Romans 8:29–30; Ephesians 1:3–14). Some Reformed
theologians prefer to use the term “Preservation of the Saints” as they believe that this choice of
words more accurately describes how God is directly responsible for the preservation of His
elect. It is clear in Scripture that Christ continues to intercede for His people (Romans 8:34;
Hebrews 7:25). This continues to provide believers with the assurance that those who belong to
Christ are eternally His.
These five doctrines together form the doctrines of grace, so called because they summarize the
salvation experience as the result of the grace of God, who acts independently of man’s will. No
effort or act of man can add to the grace of God to bring about the redemption of the soul. For
truly it is “by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Recommended Resource: Chosen But Free, revised edition: A Balanced View of God’s
Sovereignty and Free Will by Norm Geisler and The Potter’s Freedom by James White
More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!
Related Topics:
What is Calvinism and is it biblical? What are the five points of Calvinism?
Calvinism vs. Arminianism - which view is correct?
What is Arminianism and is it biblical?
What does “Many are called but few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14 mean?
What is open theism?
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This page last updated: January 2, 2020
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