What is Calvinism?
Calvinism, named after the 16th century Reformer John Calvin, is a word used for five biblical doctrines summarized in the acrostic TULIP. They include Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. These are also called the Doctrines of Grace, biblical teaching which glorifies the sovereignty of God in salvation. In the 17th century, a pastor named Jacob Arminius preached a series of sermons that seemed to contradict the Belgic Confession, the statement of faith adopted by the church in the Netherlands. After Arminius died, his students wrote a letter to the Dutch government asking permission to preach Arminius's objections freely. This was called the Remonstrance, meaning protest. They summarized five doctrines from Arminius, such as: God chooses to give eternal life to those whom He knows beforehand will choose to believe in Jesus; Jesus died for everyone, but only those who believe are saved; Human beings are born...