I am a 5-point Calvinist, but I dislike the TULIP acronym. I think 4 of the 5 letters are very misleading. Please check out this article regarding the problems with "TULIP": http://www.biblelighthouse.com/sovereignty/nomoretulip.htm
I much prefer this formulation of the 5 points:
E - Exhaustive Depravity L - Lord-centered Election E - Effectual Atonement C - Conquering Grace T - Triumphant Saints
I'm so tired of hearing Arminians build straw men out of the words "unconditional", "limited", and "irresistible". "TULIP" has been around so long, and it's not going away. But it would be nice to start seeing fewer TULIPs as time goes by. When I try to explain "TULIP" to people, I often have to explain why "unconditional" doesn't really mean "unconditional"; "irresistible" doesn't really mean "irresistible", etc.
Even R.C. Sproul, Michael Horton, and many other Calvinist authors complain about TULIP or avoid it altogether.
It's time for a new, more Biblical, more helpful mnemonic. Maybe "ELECT" will be it. Maybe not. But if anyone else has any good ideas for a new "TULIP", by all means, share it!
Let me know your thoughts . . .
In Christ, Joseph M. Gleason _________________ www.biblelighthouse.com ---The Bible Lighthouse ---
CALVINISM Wholly Unable..to love God He..hath Chosen Efficient Atonement Alive and Renewed by God’s irresistible power Truly Saved..for time and eternity
ARMINIANISM Cooperative Efforts..God + Man. He elects those He sees that will accept Him All encompassing Atonement Free to resist grace Free to fall from grace
I heard Sproul and a few others saying that they didn't like the 'L', preferring Definite Atonement instead. I like the 'T', 'U' and 'P' and don't see a need in changing them. And I have no qualms with the 'I'.
John Chaney
"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ."Colossians 2:7
I heard Sproul and a few others saying that they didn't like the 'L', preferring Definite Atonement instead. I like the 'T', 'U' and 'P' and don't see a need in changing them. And I have no qualms with the 'I'.
I'm pretty sure Sproul prefers Radical Depravity to Total Depravity which would render the acrostic RUDIP (the P being preservation rather than perserverence).
Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." - St. Augustine Hiraeth
gotribe said: I'm pretty sure Sproul prefers Radical Depravity to Total Depravity which would render the acrostic RUDIP (the P being preservation rather than perserverence).
Hmm... RUDIP. That's no good. It's looks like it comes from the root word RUDE, and the Arminians would have a field day with that. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/excitedgrn.gif" alt="" />
How about TUPID, our arminian friends woulf love that... Total Depravity Unconditional Election Particular Atonement Irresistible Regenerating Grace Definite Salvation
It's better to be called stupid and hold to the doctrines of grace than to be called wise according to the foolishness of Arminianism.
It always comes down to God's sovereignty in all things or man's ability to hold God at bay until he decides for himself by his own free will.
I Corinthians 3:18-20
"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Wimpy God Ineffectual atonement Supremacy of the will Election conditional
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
This isn't light weight stuff. Why not stick with the original? If you care enough about it to take a stand like this you ought to study up on it and know what the doctrines are. Forget the flowers, just know your stuff.
Josh "...the word of God is not bound."--2 Timothy 2:9
