21 Protestants on Predestination

Calvin taught that God predestines some people for damnation as well as salvation. Later Calvinists incorporated this doctrine of “double predestination” into a system of eternal divine decrees governing all the events of time. The Synod of Dordt formulated the classic doctrines of “five-point” Calvinism, traditionally symbolized by TULIP: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. Total depravity is a doctrine shared with Lutherans, while unconditional election and irresistible grace are shared with Augustine. The Calvinist doctrine of perseverance of the saints, however, stems from Calvin’s radical innovation in the doctrine of predestination, teaching that believers can know they are eternally saved because they can know they will persevere to the end in faith. The doctrine of limited atonement is the most controversial of the five: It is found nowhere outside Calvinism. It is not explicit in Calvin himself.