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Reformed Theology: TULIP

By Michael Brewer

TULIP.

1. Total Depravity
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement
4. Irresistable Grace
5. Preservation of the Saints

Is there anyone who can tell me what Reformed Theology is really all about!?My head hurts. Reading the back and forth tit for tat’s on pro- and anti- Reformed Theology is at best frustrating. Both sides make incredibly significant arguments. Each bring up incredibly relevant points. And both use deeply valued remarks from Scripture.

Is this to say that Scripture is contradicting itself? Absolutely not. There are many parallel’s taught in Scripture (Jesus being both fully man and fully God as the largest example).

I admit that as I am studying Reformed Theology (which with the little I know I am beginning to lean towards) I feel like Charlie Brown in the A Charlie Brown Christmas wanting to cry out, “Is there anyone who can tell me what Reformed Theology is really all about!?”

Right now, TULIP doesn’t help me to understand the issues. It is a cute underline of points which encompass much greater ideas than this acronymn presents. It is best used for those who better understand Reformed Theology because these individuals can use them as starting points into a more indepth discussion. It is a summary for those in the know and a horrid way to describe the foundations of Reformed Theology to those -like myself- who are trying to understand.

I see something more than what was I taught in Reformed Theology. There are things that are starting to make more sense now, but…I still don’t fully grasp or understand.

This is a difficult journey. I pray the Lord to continue to lead me, and grant me wisdom.

This entry was posted on 6 September 2008 at 7:15 pm and is filed under Calvinism, Christ, Education, Faith, Grace, Hope, Jesus, Reformed Theology, Study. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Reformed Theology: TULIP”

  1. Dr. T Says:
    10 September 2008 at 7:31 am

    I do not embrace all doctrine as I know the elephant a bit differently than the rest of the blind men in the world.

    We have two thousand years of history in which we may or may have not become mistaken.

    While I do not agree with all the Calvinist doctrine, I do not believe that it is so important as to affect salvation. The elephant is very large.

    I find it fascinating to consider that I have been chosen (predestined) from the beginning of time to be one of the saved.

    I personally believe that we have all been called to salvation. Not all of us answer the call.

    Once saved, always saved? that is for God to decide. I am not wise enough to grapple with such an eternal premise. I personally do not believe that tenet, either. Again, not important enough for me to feel threatened.

    What do I believe? God was and is and is to come. Please come.

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