PHOENIX
INSTITUTE
for
REFORMATION
PRINCIPLES
Understanding the Nature of God and the nature of man
Examining the basis of TULIP
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
… is NOT to convince you of Reformed Theology! But … man has questions!
Who IS God
Who IS man?
Isaiah 55:8
For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways, My ways.
Ezekiel 18:25
“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’
Hear now, O house of Israel: Is My way not
just? Is it not your ways that are not just?
TULIP
T
U
L
I
P
Total Depravity/Inability
 Unconditional Election
 Limited/Definite Atonement
 Irresistible/Efficacious Grace
 Perseverance of the Saints

EXAMPLE – WHAT IS GOOD?
Genesis 1:
 Let their be light … God saw that it is GOOD.
 Land/Sea … God saw that it is GOOD.
 Plants/growing … God saw it was GOOD.
 Sun/Moon … God saw it was GOOD.
 Land / Man, etc …
1:31 – God saw everything He had created/made … and
behold, it was VERY GOOD.
Now go to Mark 10: 17-18; How is the Nature of God and
nature of man intertwined?
TULIP
T
U
L
I
P
 Total
Depravity/Inability
 Unconditional Election
 Limited/Definite Atonement
 Irresistible/Efficacious Grace
 Perseverance of the Saints
HISTORICAL BASIS FOR TULIP
For 900 years, Reformed Theology
has been systemically expressing
a set of doctrines focused on the
Nature of God (Sovereignty) and
nature of man (need).
Spread to all Europe
and America
Calvin – Geneva Systematic
Theology (7 confessions)
Luther/Calvin/Reformation (1450-1750)
Reformers (1100-1400)
TODAY
TENSION – ARMINIUS VS REFORMED CHURCH
2 Philosophical Principles
1609
•Jacobus Arminius dies
•1610 – 5 Articles of of Faith
•“Remonstrance” – protest
•Change the doctrinal Position of the
Church of Holland. (based on the
Belgic Confession and Heidelberg
Catechism)
• Divine Sovereignty is NOT compatible
with human freedom
• Man’s ability to freely choose limits
God’s obligation
2 Deductions
• Faith cannot be caused by God;
exercised independently of Him
• Faith is obligatory to all who hear;
therefore the ability to believe must
be universal
1618: COUNCIL OF DORT
Arminius Positions
1. Man is never so completely
corrupted that he cannot
savingly believe.
2. Man is never so controlled by
God that he cannot reject it.
3. Man’s election is only described
in light of God’s ability to see
(foreknowledge) man’s will.
4. Christ’s death created a
possibility of salvation for
everyone.
5. Man must keep himself in a
state of grace by keeping up
his/her faith; or he will be lost.
• 84 Dutch Delegates
• 18 Secular Commissioners
• 27 Delegates from other
countries (England, Switzerland
Germany, Scotland)
• 154 Sessions
• 7 months
NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
Issues
relating to
God’s
Sovereignty
and man’s
responsibility
continue!
400 AD
1618
Worth studying! Worth struggling with it! Uncovers the Nature of God
It’s the greatest Question ever considered!
GREAT WORKS OF OLD:
Saint Augustine; “City of God”
He describes two cities: the earthly city and the city of god.
The earthly city contains the damned, whom God has not
chosen to save. The city of God contains those who have
been 'repaired' by God's grace.
Les Miserables
Jean Valjean: “Am I forgiven?”
Common Theme:
“God’s Nature impacts
man’s nature.”
THE NATURE OF GOD AND MAN:
When in the Course of human events, it becomes
necessary for one people to dissolve the political
bands which have connected them with another,
and to assume among the powers of the earth, the
separate and equal station to which the Laws of
Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a
decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires
that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
Declaration of Independence, 1776
A PARADIGM FOR ALL OF LIFE:
CONCLUSION # 1
Theological Issues
Christian Experience
The Nature of
God
The nature of
man
ITS ALL ABOUT GOD’S GLORY!!
CONCLUSION #2
God’s Glory: the summation of all of God’s perfect attributes …
on display to mankind through His sovereign control.
Grace
Wrath Justice
Righteous
Mercy Wisdom Jealous
Compassion
Righteous
Holy
Patience
Love
We easily embrace
attributes like Love,
Holiness, Mercy and
Grace … but many
question … how can our
God be BOTH merciful
and yet a judge that
sends someone to hell?
How do we reconcile
this legitimate question?
FOUNDATIONS OF THOUGHT:
How Philosophy was viewed 1000 years ago
Concept of “ENDS”
S
S
① Subordinate End
(what an agent aims at)
② Ultimate End
(end that is valued for its own sake)
③ Chief End
(Universal End, of highest value)
S
S
U
U
Chief End
SIMPLE EXAMPLE:
S
S
S
Go to
Walgreen’s
S
U
U
Pick up
Prescription
Chief End
Wife needs Medication or
her condition worsens
EXAMPLE: CHIEF END (PURPOSE) OF CHRIST
Mediator
Comfort
S
S
S
Propitiation of Sins
S
Do the Father’s will and
complete the work the
Father gave to Him.
U
U
Display God’s attributes
Chief End
Both Christ/man … Fully Glorify the
Father (John 17:1; 1Pt 1:8)
TULIP’S PRACTICAL CHALLENGES
Emotion!
Challenging: forces us to face the nature of man
and and face/reconcile/consider the depth of God
FOR EXAMPLE:
RECONCILING JUSTICE AND MERCY
Children of Wrath
Romans: 9:13 – Jacob I loved; Esau I hated!
?
vs. 15
In-Justice
Children of Promise
Based on God’s Mercy!
vs 16
NO!
vs. 11
(decision made before
anything good/bad)
Ultimately, the question is one relating to
God’s Nature … NOT … mankind
IMPORTANCE OF A CHIEF END!
How Philosophy was viewed 1000 years ago
Concept of “ENDS”
①
Subordinate End
(what an agent aims at)
②
Ultimate End
S
S
S
S
(end that is valued for its own sake)
③
Chief End
(Universal End, of highest value)
U
U
Chief End
WHY STUDY TULIP … METHOD
1
Start with Descriptions / Definitions
2
Describe the KEY ISSUES
3
What does it say about the Nature of God?
What does it say about the nature of man?
Life-long pursuit of the Nature of God
John 16:14-15
TULIP 101 Seminar
TOTAL DEPRAVITY
TOTAL INABILITY
Ephesians 2:1-3
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which
you once walked …
… carrying out the desires of the body and the mind
and were by nature children of wrath …
IS MAN REALLY DEPRAVED?
Am I really
“despicable?” Just
another “minion”
serving an evil master?
DEFINING TOTAL DEPRAVITY
REFORMED POSITION
As a consequence of the Fall of Man, every person born into the
world is enslaved to the service of sin and, apart from
the intervening grace of God, is utterly unable to understand and
accept salvation as it is offered. (TOTAL INABILITY)
ARMINIAN / FREE-WILL
Sin does not completely control man’s will. Man is “sick and
nearsighted” but still able to obey, believe and repent. His nature
is not completely evil.
KEY QUESTION AND ISSUES
HOW FAR DID ADAM FALL?
Arminian
View
Reformed
View
(LINE OF INABILITY)
 Deadness of man, spiritually
 Free will of man
 Spiritual Light
ISSUE: “DEADNESS”
How, and to what – is man “dead?”
Total Depravity; focuses on the ultimate
nature of man … resulting in inability
“Dead in ability to exercise saving faith”
• Eph 2:1-5; dead in sins; by nature – children of wrath
• Rom 7:9-11; sin came alive in me, I died.
• Col 2:12-13; dead in trespass; made alive together w/Him
• Rom 6:4,23 & Eph 1:19 - Buried WITH Him, raised with Him
ISSUE … HUMAN WILL
Sovereignty of God … Man’s Responsibility
 Human responsibility (accountability) means
that humans are subject to God’s evaluation.
 Calvinists agree that man is responsible to:

 Seek
salvation (Rom 1:20)
 Receive Christ (John 1:12)
 Serve the Lord (Josh 24:15-24)

God chooses us before we choose Him – His
choice enables … co-opted our choice.
ISSUE: NATURE OF MANS WILL
Point of
Justification /
Rebirth
Man’s
Will
Whose will controls us, when?
God’s Will
Man’s will
Sanctification
3 Types of Freedom:
 Moral Freedom – freedom to do good
 Compatibilist freedom – to do what you want to do
 Libertarian Freedom – inherent power to choose with equal ease
between alternatives
TOTAL DEPRAVITY/INABILITY
Man is capable
S
of good
Man’s will subject to
God’s sovereignty
S
S
Man is able to
make decisions
S
U
U
Man (spiritually) is raised
from the dead as Christ’s
body was raised
Chief End
Justification of man must extraordinarily
magnify God’s glory
(TOTAL INABILIT Y)
TOTAL DEPRAVITY – IMPLICATIONS
Implication on the
Nature of God
Implication on the
Nature of Man
1. Defines the chasm
between nature’s
1. Adam’s fall impacted
the nature of man
2. Magnifies His grace
2. Regarding Justification,
man’s will is UNABLE
3. Highlights His Love
4. Maintains His Justice
3. Maintains man’s
responsibility
TULIP 101 Seminar
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
John 17:6
I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave
ME out of the world; they were Yours … and You gave
them to Me.
DEFINING UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
REFORMED POSITION
Our salvation does not have any conditions. God elects those who
are unable to choose God due to their fallen nature. God elects
them on the basis of His sovereign good pleasure alone.
ARMINIAN / FREE-WILL
Election is conditional – on man. God chose the elect on the
basis of their foreseen faith. God passed over no one, but gives
everyone an equal chance to be saved. Man’s choice of Christ
overrides the Father’s choice of the sinner.
ISSUE – CONDITIONAL ON WHO/WHAT
Debate… is not that election is Scriptural, but the
grounds on which some are elected
Election: Three views
1 Merited Election:
Conditional Election:
2
Unconditional Election:
3
God elects those that are good
God elects the depraved
who He knows will exercise their free will to accept Him.
depraved people,
where God overcomes their fallen will.
ISSUE: GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE
Foreknowledge based upon God’s decision,
not subject to knowing man’s decision:
1. Decretal Foreknowledge: we are not elected either FOR our
faith … or ACCORDING to our faith … but TO our faith. i.e. we are
elected SO THAT we might believe.
• Rom 8:29a – He also predestined to be conformed …
• Acts 2:23 – God’s foreknowledge is inseparable from His
sovereign plan and purposes.
2. Affectionate Foreknowledge: we see God’s nature of affection
in unconditional election
• Deut 7:6-8; “treasured possession … God set His love on you
• Eph 1: 4-5; “in love, He predestined us to His purpose
• Jn 17:22 – Christ glory, given by the Father – is given to us!
ISSUE: FOR GOD’S CHIEF END–HIS GLORY

Cannot be conditional upon man, for God
always protects and maximizes His glory. He
never puts His glory … “at risk.”

Is 43: 1,7,25

1 Cor 1:26-31

Jn 17:1-3,6b-10,22
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION– IMPLICATIONS
Implication on the
Nature of God
Implication on the
Nature of Man
1. Shows God’s great mercy
2. Active, not passive; He
both decreed it, and
affectionately made it
happen.
3. Protects the Chief end –
Glory of God
1. Man is undeserving and
wholly dependant upon
God.
2. Humbles us; gives us joy
3. Directs our focus away
from man, to God
TULIP 101 Seminar
LIMITED/DEFINITE ATONEMENT
John 5:21
For as the Father raises the dead
and gives them life; so also the
Son gives life to whom he will.
DEFINING LIMITED ATONEMENT
REFORMED POSITION
Definite Atonement; Christ’s atoning work, while efficacious for all
of mankind’s sins … it is specifically applied (definitively applied)
to the elect only.
ARMINIAN / FREE-WILL
Universal atonement – Christ died equally for all men, and paid a
provisional price that made salvation possible for all but
guaranteed it for none.
L – LIMITED ATONEMENT
Centrality of the theme of Atonement (reconciliation)

Any definition of Christianity that does not have redemptive
atonement at its core is fundamentally defective.
 Lev 1:4 – You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt
offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make
atonement for you.
 Mark 2:7 – “only God can forgive sins … blasphemy!”
 John 3:16 … “For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten son …
 Rom 5:8 – but God demonstrates His love toward us that
while we were yet sinners, Christ dies for us.
Question: What is the extent/intent? Is it universal?
ISSUE: EXTENT OF ATONEMENT

Was Jesus’ atonement able to save all?


Universalist – atonement will extend to all of mankind,
eventually winning all. (No hell)
“World” – John 1:6-13; 3:16,17;
(God’s love is pitted against His justice!)

“All” - Rom 5:18; 2 Cor 5:15; Heb 2:9
There is a QUALIFIER! 1Jn 2:2-3; Heb 2:8-12
This Qualifier will show us that Christ’s death was able to save all –Christ’s
death is efficacious enough for every single human, but will be limited!
Our grasp of God’s Nature will be tested!
ISSUE: INTENT OF ATONEMENT

What was the INTENT of Jesus’ atonement?
He calls out specific, certain (definite) people
 Rom 5:12/3:19 – Death spread to all / world is accountable
 1 Tim 4:10 – “Savior of all men … especially believers.”
 Jn 10:11-13; “My sheep hear my voice …”
 Matt 1:21 – He shall save His people (Jews?)
 Jn 17:6 – “Yours they were, and you gave them to me

Conclusion: While His atonement is not limited in it’s
value/ability, it’s intent is for those the Father has called.
DEFINITE ATONEMENT
Christ
suffered for
the world
Christ’s death – Christ’s death
able to save all made all the world
S
S
Limited Atonement is
a function of
Father/Son
relationship
S
accountable
S
U
U God called and
chose certain
people
Chief End
Definite Atonement magnifies
God’s Sovereign glory
EXTENT
INTENT
DEFINITE ATONEMENT– IMPLICATIONS
Implication on the Nature
of God
1. Christ’s death/suffering
sealed His efficacious
atonement (Heb 2:10)
2. Intent of atonement
depends on the Nature
of God
3. Atonement is personal
between Father/Son
Implication on the
Nature of Man
1. Aim for His plan!
(Believe and receive)
2. Trust His Nature
3. Strengthens our
evangelistic zeal –
definite number
TULIP 101 Seminar
IRRESISTIBLE/EFFECTUAL GRACE
Ephesians 4:30
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
by whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption.
DEFINING IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
REFORMED POSITION
The doctrine which says that the Holy Spirit is invincible and
intervenes in man’s will. In its purpose of the regeneration of the
elect, He never fails to bring the elect to Justification.
ARMINIAN / FREE-WILL
Resistible Grace – Saving grace is resistible for God cannot
interfere with man’s fee will. Man is born again after he believes,
for faith and repentance are not gifts of God.
ISSUE: CALLING AND MANS WILL
Two types of “calls?”
 Outward Call – to each and every person

Is 45:22 – turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the
earth for I am God and there is no other.
2 Peter 3:7-9; desires non to perish, all to repentance
 Matt 22:2-14; Broad calling … and is rejected in 4 ways

(intellectually, behaviorally, volitionally and affectionately)

Specific Call – to the elect; result is salvation
Matt 22:14 – many are called, few are chosen
 Acts 2:39 – as many as the Lord calls to Himself!
 Hebrews 9:15 – those called receive promise (eternal life)

ISSUE: WORK OF THE TRINITY
Why is the call … Irresistible?
 Each Person of the Trinity participates in and
contributes to the work of salvation





Before time began, the Father marked those that would be
saved. He then gave these people to His Son to be His
people (John 17:6-7; 6:37)
At the right time, His Son redeemed them with His blood for
the chief end/purpose of glorifying God. (Jn 17:1, 4)
Lastly is the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, by which
redemption is applied to the elect. (Jn 16:7-8: 6:63)
2 Cor 3:6 and 4:3-6
IRRESISTIBLE?

EXAMPLES
Disciples: dramatic, effectual!!



Call of Simon, James, John (Luke 5)
Call of Matthew
The Twelve

Call of Saul/Paul

Early Church – see 1 Thess 1:4,5
 How
different from today’s mentality!
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE– IMPLICATIONS
Implication on the
Nature of God
1. Goodness is revealed
to all of mankind.
2. The very depth of the
Trinity is involved
3. Effectual – will always
accomplish it’s goal
Implication on the
Nature of Man
1. Man is without excuse
2. We are not left to the
powers of our fallen will
3. Our deadness is
overcome by the Light.
TULIP 101 Seminar
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
Phil. 1:6
For I am confident of this, He who began a good work in
you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
DEFINING PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
REFORMED POSITION
All who partake of the grace and power of saving union with Christ
by faith shall continue in that union to the end (preservation). Full
assurance of faith is afforded as God enables the Christian to
persevere to the end.
ARMINIAN / FREE-WILL
Man is able to fall from grace with God by a sinful life. Only a few
Christians continue on in their faith and obedience to the end.
(undecided if one can actually loose their salvation)
ISSUE; PRESERVED BY GOD’S DECREE

God keeps believers in the faith, preserves them
from straying, and ultimately perfects them


John 17:11; 1Peter 1:4-5; Jude 24
We can be confident in this; God …





Finishes the work started (Phil 1:6; Ps 138:8)
Is the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb 12:2)
Preserved through Christ’s purchase (Jn 17:15)
Promises His perseverance (Jn 10:27-30; 2 Tim 1:12)
Provides the provisions for perseverance (1Cor10:13)
ISSUE – WE THEN, PERSEVERE
Believers persevere in faith, building assurance:
1 Giving themselves wholeheartedly to the spiritual battle
to keep themselves from sin
1 Jn 5:18
2 By Keeping the law of God and the love of God
Jms 1:22-25
Jude 21
3 Maintaining a good conscience before God an man
Acts 24:16
4 Showing love to one another
1 Jn 3:14
Ps 133
5 Watching and praying that they may not be enter into
temptation
Matt 26:41
Eph 6:18
6 Making their calling and election sure
2 Pt 1:10
ISSUES WITH PERSEVERANCE
Two DANGERS to be aware of:
 Danger in a false profession





Do some profess, but aren’t truly born again by the
Spirit’s work?
Examples: Saul(OT), Judas Iscariot, Hymenaeus,
Alexander (1 Tim 1:19-20, 2Pt 2:20, 1 Jn 2:19)
Parable of Sower (Matt 13)
Heb 6:1-12
Danger in claiming assurance without
manifesting fruits of perseverance. Rom 6:1-2
PERSEVERANCE– IMPLICATIONS
Implication on the
Nature of God
Implication on the
Nature of Man
1. Who God has called,
He preserves.
1. Without God preserving us,
we are at peril.
2. He provide us what is
needed to persevere.
2. Obedience, by God grace
characterizes our walk with
Him.
3. Maintains His Justice.
3. Obedience builds assurance
via perseverance.
SUMMARY: ITS ALL ABOUT GOD’S GLORY!!


TULIP is a group of doctrines that reflect the Chief End of man,
that is … to Glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
God’s Glory: the summation of all of God’s perfect attributes …
on display to mankind through His sovereign control.
Grace
Wrath Justice
Righteous
Mercy Wisdom Jealous
Compassion
Righteous
Holy
Patience
Love
 1. A very
worthy lifelong
pursuit!
 2. It makes it
“your own.”
THANK YOU!!