Why Calvin’s T.U.L.I.P. continues to cause controversy

In 1982, at the tender age of 21 and shortly after converting to Christ, I began my journey towards becoming a fully-fledged card-carrying member of the Calvinist ‘club’.

At university, in St Augustine, Trinidad, several other members of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship baulked at the very idea of predestination. However, I was impressed by the overall cogency of Calvinism’s T.U.L.I.P acronym. Briefly, the letters stand for the following principles of Calvinism: Total depravity; Unconditional election; Limited atonement; Irresistible grace; Preservation and perseverance of saints.

It’s important to note that these teachings are interdependent. So, unconditional election should not be construed as being at odds with the preservation and perseverance of saints.