John Calvin—A man who didn’t invent the acronym TULIP (but I think he would have liked it)

Many individuals (both Christian and non-Christian) connect John Calvin (or his followers) to the invention of the acronym TULIP.

Yet the truth is its origin should be placed on the followers of Jacob Arminius, who presented the five Remonstrances (which were constructed to oppose the teachings of Calvin’s followers and the Dutch church), at the Synod of Dort in 1618-1619 (roughly 8-9 years after Jacob Arminius died and 54 years after Calvin died).

Then, because of the challenge of the followers of Arminius, the followers of Calvin responded to their “five points”, which began the “germinating process” (pun intended) of the infamous TULIP.

If this is true, then when and where did the actual acronym TULIP originate? It is hard to say.

Richard A. Muller states,

“As far as we know, both the acrostic and the associated usage of “five points of Calvinism” are of Anglo-American origin and do not date back before the nineteenth century. It is remarkable how quickly bad ideas catch on. When, therefore, the question of Calvin’s relationship to Calvinism is reduced to this popular floral meditation —did Calvin teach TULIP? —any answer will be grounded on a misrepresentation. Calvin himself, certainly never thought of this model, but neither did later so-called Calvinists. Or, to make the point in another way, Calvin and his fellow Reformers held to doctrines that stand in clear continuity with the Canons of Dort, but neither Calvin nor his fellow Reformers, nor the authors of the Canons, would have reduced their confessional position to TULIP.”

Interesting. So I guess the question I want to address is, “Did Calvin teach or (adhere) to the ‘T’ in TULIP (since he didn’t invent it)?”

                                          Total Depravity

Definition: Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin. We are completely sinful. We are not as sinful as we could be, but we are completely affected by sin.

Did Calvin believe and teach this doctrine? Yes.

Calvin states:

“To be sure, a little while before he (the apostle Paul) had painted a picture of human nature that showed us as having a corrupt and perverted nature in every part.”

He continues,

“Indeed, apostasy from God proves defect of understanding, for to seek him is the first degree of wisdom. This defect, therefore, is necessarily found in all who have forsaken God. He (Paul) adds that all have fallen away and have, as it were, become corrupt, that there is no one who does good……If these are hereditary endowments of the human nature, it is futile to seek anything good in our nature.”

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Do I affirm the "T"? Absolutely. I would also add that I believe in another “T”, Total Inability. The scriptures are clear that man is totally unable to respond to God or the gospel without divine assistance.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Spiritually dead. That sounds pretty hopeless, huh.

So how do we come to God? The Spirit of God must breathe life into us (John 3:8).  All of God. Nothing of me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

I am so thankful to God for raising me from my spiritual deadness and giving me salvation.

***Next blog post I will deal with the "U" of TULIP.