Galatians 1:6-9
The apostle Paul expressed astonishment when the Galatian Christians began turning away from the gospel of Christ toward a different gospel. His warning was not a minor disagreement over religious terminology. The gospel concerns the salvation of souls, the character of God, and the work of Jesus Christ.
Calvinists affirm that salvation is through Jesus Christ, that humanity is sinful, and that salvation depends upon the grace of God. But we must examine whether the distinctive doctrines of Calvinism accurately represent the teaching of God’s word. Its five central teachings, commonly summarized by the acronym TULIP, deny the extent of God’s saving love, the nature of Christ’s sacrifice, the freedom to respond to the gospel, and the possibility of falling away.
Our authority must never be a theological system, regardless of its popularity or historical influence. Our authority must be the Bible.
1. TOTAL DEPRAVITY: THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN SINFULNESS
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
There is no question that humanity is sinful and desperately needs the grace of God. Sin separates us from our Creator, and no person can earn salvation through personal merit. However, Calvinism takes human depravity further by teaching that fallen people are spiritually incapable of responding to God in faith unless God first regenerates them.
The question is whether the Bible teaches that a person must be regenerated before he can believe. God’s word repeatedly calls sinners to hear, repent, believe, and obey. Paul declared that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). In Acts 17:30, God commands all people everywhere to repent.
These commands are meaningful because God addresses people through His revealed truth and calls them to respond. Isaiah 59:1–2 teaches that sin separates humanity from God, but that separation does not establish that repentance is impossible without a prior, irresistible act of regeneration.
Consider a sick person who needs a remedy. The sickness is real, and the remedy is necessary. Yet the existence of the disease does not mean the person cannot be called to receive the cure. Sin is humanity’s disease, Christ is our Savior, and the gospel announces God’s remedy.
2. UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION: THE PROBLEM OF SELECTIVE SALVATION
“Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
Calvinism teaches that God chose certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world, without reference to their faith. This raises an important question: How should this doctrine be understood alongside the repeated biblical declaration that God desires all people to be saved?
Jesus declared that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Peter likewise explained that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
The Bible certainly teaches election, but we must allow the Bible to explain election rather than foolishly believe that these passages support the Calvinistic understanding of it. God’s sovereignty is not diminished by His decision to offer salvation through Christ and call people to respond to the gospel.
Acts 10:34-35 declares that God shows no partiality and that in every nation those who fear Him and work righteousness are accepted by Him. The gospel invitation is genuinely extended to humanity.
A sincere invitation calls people to come. It does not require us to conclude that God has already determined that most of those hearing the invitation cannot receive its benefits.
3. LIMITED ATONEMENT: THE PROBLEM OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
Limited atonement teaches that Christ’s death was intended to secure salvation specifically for the elect.
The Bible repeatedly describes the sacrifice of Jesus in universal terms.
Hebrews 2:9 declares that Jesus tasted death for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 teaches that Christ “gave Himself a ransom for all.” John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
These passages present a sacrifice whose scope extends to all humanity. This does not mean that everyone will automatically be saved. Salvation is found in Christ, and the gospel calls people to believe in Him.
We must distinguish between the provision of salvation and the reception of salvation. God has provided what sinners need, but His provision does not eliminate the call to faith.
A remedy may be available to everyone without everyone choosing to receive its benefits. The universal offer of salvation magnifies the love of God and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice without teaching universal salvation.
4. IRRESISTIBLE GRACE: THE PROBLEM OF RESISTING GOD
“You always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51).
Calvinism teaches that God’s inward, effectual call to the elect accomplishes its intended saving result. However, the Bible contains numerous examples of people resisting God’s word and rejecting His appeals.
Jesus lamented over Jerusalem, saying, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37). In John 5:40, He told His hearers, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
Luke 7:30 says that the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves.
God’s grace is indispensable. Without His love, Christ’s sacrifice, and the gospel, there would be no hope of salvation. But the necessity of grace does not mean that grace is irresistible. God can call, teach, convict, and invite while people reject His message.
An outstretched hand offers help, but the person being helped can refuse to take it. The tragedy is not that God failed to offer salvation, but that people can reject the salvation He graciously provides.
5. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS: THE PROBLEM OF APOSTASY
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
Calvinism teaches that those genuinely elected and regenerated by God will persevere in faith until the end. Calvinists generally understand the Bible’s warnings against apostasy as means God uses to preserve His people. Nevertheless, the warnings themselves deserve careful consideration.
Paul told the Galatians, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). Hebrews 6:4-6 describes people who experienced the spiritual blessings and subsequently fell away. 2 Peter 2:20–21 warns of those who escaped the world’s pollutions through the knowledge of Christ but became entangled in them again.
These warnings must not be dismissed as though they describe a danger that can never actually occur. The Christian life is a life of continuing faith, obedience, and dependence upon Christ.
God is faithful, and His promises are sure. And yet believers are repeatedly called to remain steadfast, resist unbelief, and continue in the faith. Beginning the journey does not make continuing unnecessary.
CONCLUSION: LET GOD’S WORD DECIDE
The five points of Calvinism present a particular interpretation of salvation, but every theological system must be tested by the whole counsel of God. We must never allow a predetermined framework to silence passages that challenge our conclusions.
The Bible teaches that all have sinned, that salvation is provided by God’s grace through Jesus Christ, and that people everywhere are called to believe, repent, and remain faithful. God’s love is genuine, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all, and the gospel invitation must be proclaimed without reservation.
Paul’s warning in Galatians 1:6-9 reminds us that the gospel is too precious to be reshaped by human reasoning. We should not accept Calvinism because it has influential teachers, nor should we accept any opposing system without examination.
Let us open the Bible, study it honestly, and allow every passage to speak. Our allegiance belongs not to Calvin, Arminius, or any other theological name. Our allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ.
The question is not whether a doctrine fits our system. The question is whether our system fits the word of God.
BDD
