FAITH, the New TULIP

Having switched denominations about two years ago (from Methodist to Reformed), I like to joke about giving up on the pursuit of holy perfection in order to join up with the totally depraved – a perfect fit for me! I am a newbie to Calvinism, but am intrigued to learn this new (for me) way of thinking. So, when my pastor began a class a few weeks ago on the 5 points of Calvinism, I signed up immediately. We are reading
“F-A-I-T-H Unfolded: A Fresh Look at the Reformed faith” by Jim Osterhouse who presents F-A-I-T-H as a new acronym for
T-U-L-I-P (a catchy way to help people remember what the five points of Calvinism are all about).

TULIP:

T = Total Depravity (we are so totally affected by our sinful nature that we are totally unable to contribute anything to our salvation)

U = Unconditional Election (God chose certain people before the world was created to be adopted in God’s family)

L = Limited Atonement (Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to cover the sins of the world, but it is applied only to those whom God has chosen)

I = Irresistible Grace (We may hold God off for a while, but the Holy Spirit regenerates us so that ultimately, we cannot resist God)

P = Perseverance of Saints (Osterhouse says “believers persevere in their faith because God preserves his own people”)

The Reformed faith tradition gets a bad rap by those who summarize the entire belief system up in the five points/TULIP. It can be confusing and it is a narrow view of the Reformed faith. It is important to know that John Calvin did not invent TULIP. His writings are much broader in scope and Calvin himself did not utter the words “five points.” Calvin lived 1509-1564. The TULIP acronym was not developed until the 20th century – around 400 years later! It is based on the 1618-1619 Canons of Dort and even the Canons of Dort did not intend to give an extensive statement about the Reformed faith.

Looking at both TULIP and the Canons of Dort alone are still a narrow view of the Reformed faith. The Canons of Dort are only one of three (and potentially to be four) denominational Standards of Unity in the Reformed Church (RCA). We also acknowledge the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession. And, because the Reformed church is "reformed and always reforming," we are considering the addition of a fourth document, the Belhar Confession. Even with the addition of this fourth standard of unity, the people of the RCA are quick to point out that the final authority in the Reformed faith is Holy Scripture and our faith is centered in Christ. These standards of unity help us clarify and give order to our thoughts. In his article, “Calvin’s Comeback? The irresistible Reformer,” J. Todd Billings expresses his opposition to New Calvinists who limit their faith system to TULIP by stating that “The New Calvinists pick the TULIP from the Reformed field, overlooking the flowers. There is much besides TULIP in this spacious field that has grown from the seed of God’s word.”

While it is still a narrow view of the Reformed faith, I think most will find the FAITH acronym easier to understand and more helpful than TULIP.

FAITH:

F = Fallen Humankind
A = Adopted by God
I = Intentional Atonement
T = Transformed by the Holy Spirit
H = Held by God

I am still wrestling with and trying to wrap my mind around Reformed theology, but I have to admit that I am surprised at how much of it I relate to. In particular, I resonate with an old hymn that Osterhouse includes at the end of his book on FAITH:

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me;
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
no, I was found, was found of Thee.