T.U.L.I.P. The Biblical Flower

The Five Points of Calvinism were drawn up by the Synod of Dort in 1610 as a counter to the un-Scriptural five points taught by the followers of James Arminius. These points show that a man is saved not by his "free-will" choice but by the Sovereign choice of God in election.

Total Depravity -

As a result of the sin of Adam, all of his descendants enter this world according to ordinary generation and spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 2:13) needing to be [re] generated which is the theological term meaning born again or "born of the spirit" (John 3:3-8). Total Depravity does not mean that man is as bad as he could be but that sin has extended to every part of his being and is utterly in and of himself unable to come to God for salvation (John 6:44; 65).

See Augustine and Pelagius By R.C. Sproul

Unconditional Election -

God the Father in His mercy elected before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) a certain number of people unto salvation (2 Thess. 2:13). Without election no one would be saved. There is a saying: election keeps no man out of heaven who would have otherwise been there but election keeps a whole lot of men out of hell who would have otherwise been there.

See Who Saves Whom? By Michael Horton

Limited Atonement -

All Christians limit the Atonement of Christ, for we must limit it in either its power or scope unless you believe in the un-scriptural concept of universalism. Arminians limit it in its power by saying that Christ came to only make salvation possible but not to actually save. Calvinists on the other hand believe Christ came to save an elect view (Matt. 1:21), those whom the Father gave to the Son to save (John 6:37, 39; 17:9). So while the arminians limit the atonement in its power, we limit it in its scope (for whom it was offered).

See Was Anyone Saved at the Cross? By James White

See For Whom Did Christ Die? By John Owen A tidbit of good ol' Puritan logic

See Particular Redemption By Charles H. Spurgeon (Link)

Irresistable Grace -

Otherwise known as "Effectual Calling". God call's an elect few who are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins unto spiritual life. John 6:44-45 states that no man "can" come to Christ except they be "drawn." The word in the greek literally means to drag. Some have a mental picture of God laying ahold of people and dragging them kicking and screaming into the kingdom of God, but as the next verse says, they are drawn by being taught. They see their need for a saviour because God gives them spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear.

See Irresistible Grace By Jacob Moseley

Perseverance of the Saints -

Those elected unto salvation, and those whom Christ died for and those whom are regenerated unto spiritual life are "preserved" (Jude 1) unto the last day where they will be raised up in the resurrection of life (John 6:37-39). Christ will not lose any of His (John 10:28-29; 6:39).

See Calvinism, Arminianism, and Eternal Security by Matt Perman

See The Perseverance of the Saints By John MacArthur (Link)
 

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