Pet tačaka kalvinizma može da se sažme akronomom TBONI (na engleskom TULIP – op, prev.). T predstavlja totalnu izopačenost, B bezuslovni odabir, O je ograničeno otkupljenje, N je neodoljiva milost i I predstavlja istrajnost svetih. Slijede definicije i biblijski citati koje kalvinisti koriste kako bi odbranili svoje vjerovanje:
Potpuna izopačenost – Posljedica Adamovog pada je to da je cijela ljudska rasa time pogođena; cijelo čovječanstvo je mrtvo u prijestupima i grijesima. Čovjek nije u stanju da spasi sam sebe (Postanak 6:5; Jeremija 17:9; Rimljani 3:10-18).
Bezuslovni odabir – Pošto je čovjek mrtav u grijehu, on ne može da sam od sebe da se odazove Bogu; stoga je Bog u ranijoj vječnosti odabrao određene ljude za spasenje. Odabir i predestinacija su bezuslovni; ne zasnivaju se na odazivu neke osobe (Rimljanima 8:29-30;9:11; Efežanima 1:4-6, 11-12), jer čovjek sam po sebi nije u stanju da se odazove, niti to želi.
Ograničeno otkupljenje – Pošto je Bog odredio da će određene osobe biti spašene, kao posljedica Njegovog bezuslovnog odabira, On je odredio da će Krist umrijeti samo za te odabrane. Svi koje je Bog izabrao i za koje je Krist umro će biti spašeni (Matej 1:21; Ivan 10:11; 17:9; Djela 20:28; Rimljanima 8:32; Efežanima 5:25).
Neodoljiva milost – One koje je Bog odabrao On i privlači sebi neodoljivom milošću. Bog čini da je čovjek voljan da dođe Njemu. Kada Bog zove, čovjek odgovara (Ivan 6:37, 44; 10:16).
Istrajnost svetih – Upravo oni koje je Bog odabrao i privukao sebi Duhom Svetim će istrajati u vjeri. Niko koga je Bog odabrao neće biti izgubljen; oni su zauvijek sigurni (Ivan 10:27-29; Rimljanima 8:29-30; Efežanima 1:3-14).
I dok sve ove doktrine imaju biblijsku osnovu, mnogi ljudi odbacuju neke ili sve od njih. Takozvani "kalvinisti četiri tačke" prihvataju potpunu izopačenost, bezuslovni odabir, neodoljivu milost i istrajnost svetih kao biblijske doktrine. Čovjek je definitivno grešan i nije u stanju da sam od sebe povjeruje u Boga. Bog bira ljude samo na osnovu svoje volje – odabir nije baziran ni na kakvoj zasluzi izabrane osobe. Svi oni koje je Bog izabrao će povjerovati. Svi oni koji su istinski nanovorođeni će istrajati u svojoj vjeri. Međutim, kad je u pitanju ograničeno otkupljenje, kalvinisti četiri tačke vjeruju da je ono neograničeno, tvrdeći da je Isus umro za grijehe cijelog svijeta, ne samo za grijehe odabranih. "I on je pomirna žrtva za grijehe naše, i ne samo naše, nego i svega svijeta." (1. Ivanova 2:2) Drugi stihovi koji su u suprotnosti sa ograničenim otkupljenjem su Ivan 1:29; 3:16; 1. Timoteju 2:6; i 2. Petrova 2:1.
Kalvinisti pet tačaka, međutim, vide problem u kalvinizmu četiri tačke. Prvo, tvrde da, ako je potpuna izopačenost istina, onda neograničeno otkupljenje ne može biti istinito, jer ako je Isus umro za grijehe svake osobe, onda to da li je Njegova smrt primjenjiva na nekoga ili ne zavisi od toga da li ta osoba "prihvata" Krista ili ne. Ali kako vidimo iz gornjeg opisa potpune izopačenosti, čovjek u svom prirodnom stanju nema kapacitet da izabere Boga, niti toželi. Uz to, ako je neograničeno otkupljenje istina, onda je pakao pun ljudi za koje je Krist umro. Prolio je uzalud svoju krv za njih. Za kalviniste pet tačaka, ovo je nezamislivo. Važna napomena: ovaj članak je samo kratki sažetak kalvinizma pet tačaka. Za dublji uvid pogledajte sljedeće stranice: Potpuna izopačenost, Bezuslovni odabir, Ograničeno otkupljenje, Neodoljiva milost i Istrajnost svetih.
What is Calvinism and is it biblical?
The five points of Calvinism can be summarized by the acronym TULIP. T stands for total depravity, U for unconditional election, L for limited atonement, I for irresistible grace, and P for perseverance of the saints. Here are the definitions and Scripture references Calvinists use to defend their beliefs:
Total Depravity - As a result of Adam’s fall, the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).
Unconditional Election - Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate a response to God; therefore, in eternity past God elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man’s response (Romans 8:29-30;9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12) because man is unable to respond, nor does he want to.
Limited Atonement - Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God’s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and for whom Christ died will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).
Irresistible Grace - Those whom God elected He draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37, 44; 10:16).
Perseverance of the Saints - The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).
While all these doctrines have a biblical basis, many people reject all or some of them. So-called “four-point Calvinists” accept Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints as biblical doctrines. Man is definitely sinful and incapable of believing in God on his own. God elects people based on His will alone – election is not based on any merit in the person chosen. All those whom God has chosen will come to faith. All those who are truly born-again will persevere in their faith. As for Limited Atonement, however, four-point Calvinists believe that atonement is unlimited, arguing that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for the sins of the elect. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Other verses in opposition to limited atonement are John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:6; and 2 Peter 2:1.
The five-point Calvinists, however, see problems with four-point Calvinism. First, they argue, if Total Depravity is true, then Unlimited Atonement cannot possibly be true because, if Jesus died for the sins of every person, then whether or not His death is applicable to an individual depends on whether or not that person “accepts” Christ. But as we have seen from the above description of Total Depravity, man in his natural state has no capacity whatsoever to choose God, nor does he want to. In addition, if Unlimited Atonement is true, then hell is full of people for whom Christ died. He shed His blood in vain for them. To the five-point Calvinist, this is unthinkable. Please note: this article is only a brief summary of the five points of Calvinism. For a more in-depth look, please visit the following pages: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.