5 pieces of good news

The essence of true evangelism is not simply describing Christ and what he has done, but it is about awakening people to their desperate need and wooing and winning them to Christ, encouraging them in the love of God.

Biblical Calvinism is commonly summed up in the well-known five points of doctrine which hang together under the acronym TULIP.

These are the belief in the total depravity of mankind, God's unconditional election of sinners to salvation, limited atonement or Christ dying specifically for his elect people, the irresistible grace of God bringing the elect to faith and the final preservation (and consequent perseverance) of God's people to glory (Romans 8.29,30).

The five points of Calvinism are often out of fashion in the church, but more seriously, they are frequently seen as huge hindrances rather than a help to the evangelistic task. But actually nothing could be further from the truth. 'Only tell people about them after they are saved!' has regularly been the advice. In reality, the five points, which underlie most of the great Confessions of the Reformed churches, are five pieces of good news for sinners that hold out tremendous encouragement to come to Christ.

Total Depravity

This truth teaches, not that human beings are as sinful as they possibly could be (human beings are not demons), but that every part of human nature is ruinously affected by the Fall. We have been totally penetrated by sin. Therefore, Scripture teaches, people can make no move towards God (nor do they want to), without God's grace. Ephesians 2.1-3; John 6.44.

This truth is obnoxious to those with a liberal/humanistic outlook, but actually it is extremely helpful. First, it is helpful because it puts us in touch with reality concerning human nature. Liberalism is constantly telling us that people are basically good, only to be painfully disappointed by the hard facts of the real world. Some executives will put profit before safety on the railways, people will push drugs to schoolchildren, etc.

But secondly, the truth of total depravity makes the love of God stand out more clearly than ever. The good news is that astonishingly it is people in 'total depravity' whom God loves and saves! (Ephesians 2.1,4). This truth therefore answers the fear of being 'too sinful' to be saved. Although rejected superficially for being a harsh doctrine, it really conveys great comfort.

Unconditional Election

When we become Christians we do choose God. But mysteriously behind our choice is the fact that before time began God chose us, too. Furthermore the Bible tells us that his choice was not based on any quality or merit in us. It was unconditional election (Ephesians 1.4; Romans 8.29,30; Romans 9.10-16).

Again, what appears on the surface to be a forbidding truth is, when rightly considered, a great encouragement. For example, this teaching tells us that when we come to Christ we could not be more welcome. We have not forced ourselves on God or gate-crashed on the gospel party. We have only come to him because he first chose us.
But this truth is even more positive than that. I have always been intrigued as to why election is so prominent in Paul's letter to Ephesus. It may just be at least in part due to the Ephesian background. Acts tells us it was a place steeped in sorcery and astrology. Horoscopes are all about categorising people into different types according to their star sign. For all kinds of reasons, many people even today think that they are not the 'right type' for God. ' I'm not the religious sort,' they say. But unconditional election smashes all that. It tells us that there is no 'sort' God chooses. He has chosen 'all sorts'. And if he has chosen all sorts, he has chosen your sort. And if he has chosen your sort, then why not you? How do we know who God has chosen? We will never find out by looking at ourselves. But if we can answer a sincere 'yes' to the simple question, 'Will you have Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour?' then we are chosen by God! The joyful truth of unconditional election is that no one is the wrong type for God.

Limited Atonement

Wherever God touches the world there is a mystery. Nowhere has God more profoundly touched the world than at Calvary. We believe in the free offer of the gospel to all (John 3.16). Christ died so that whoever believes will not perish but have eternal life. But at the same time, the Bible teaches the doctrine of limited atonement, that Christ died specifically for his elect people (Ephesians 5.25; Romans 8.32) and in doing so paid for their sins and purchased all that is necessary to save them (Acts 20.28; 1 Corinthians 6.19,20).

This doctrine of limited atonement ensures that the gospel is good news of free mercy, and nothing whatsoever to do with legalism. It tells us that Christ has done it all. He has not just made salvation possible. He has purchased us and everything necessary for our salvation. We are not inviting sinners to a Saviour who requires us to do our bit, and who needs our contribution. We are not inviting people to 'religion' but to salvation. There is nothing for us to add to the perfect Calvary work of Christ - not even our faith, for even that is the gift of God. Here is the true basis for assurance and enjoying our Christianity.
Also, of course, this truth tells every believer that Christ died for us personally. We can say with Paul 'The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me' (Galatians 2.20). Here surely is a spark to ignite our hearts in worshipful wonder, love and praise!

Irresistible Grace

Being spiritually dead (Ephesians 2.1), sinners must be given spiritual life (2 Corinthians 4.6; Ephesians 2.4,5). God's grace can be resisted, but not finally resisted. It works in such a way as to guarantee that God's chosen people will respond to it and come to faith. This truth is not only biblical, it is the logical necessity of fact, that in our sinful condition we would never choose God, or come to him (Romans 8.7). Grasping this teaching ought to lead Christians to a deep humility. We are not Christians because in any way we are better than others. Every sign of repentance and faith, hope and love that we possess has been instilled into us by God.

This truth also answers those fretful sinners' concerns: 'I could never change' and 'I wish I had your faith, but I can't believe. Faith is the gift of God to people (Ephesians 2.8). He can give it to us.

Perseverance of the Christian

This teaching tells us that those who believe will certainly be saved, not regardless of how they live, but because God will keep them following Christ and keep them from ever finally turning away from him (Ephesians 2.10; John 10.27-29). This again is good news for those sincere enquirers one sometimes meets, who, having heard the gospel, honestly respond by saying: 'I would like to be a Christian, but do not think I could keep it up. I know how weak I am and I would soon fall away or become a hypocrite.' Martin Luther wrote: 'It is the sweetest mercy of God that it is not imaginary sinners he saves, but real sinners. He upholds us in our sins and accepts our work and life worthy as these are of total rejection. He goes on doing this until he perfects and consummates us.' Grace is given to heal the sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes. He who begins a good work in us, will carry it on until completion (Philippians 1.4).

The face of biblical Calvinism is frequently portrayed as being something between a dark frown and a look of anxious resignation. In fact, it wears a genial smile and has a twinkle in its eye. Together these five truths provide every possible encouragement for people to come to Christ.

The evangelistic warmth of biblical Calvinism

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perseverance of the Christian

JEB

John Benton

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