Predestination and Free Will in John Calvin’s Theology

Introduction

John Calvin, a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, is well-known for his teachings on predestination and free will. His views are often summarized by the acronym TULIP, which stands for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. This summary will break down these concepts in simple terms, explaining Calvin’s perspective on how predestination and free will fit into the Christian faith.

Total Depravity

Calvin believed in the concept of Total Depravity, which means that every part of a person is affected by sin. This doesn’t mean people are as bad as they can be, but rather that sin impacts every aspect of their being—mind, will, and emotions. Because of this pervasive sinfulness, humans are naturally inclined to reject God and cannot choose to follow Him on their own.

Example: Imagine trying to get a rusty old car to start. No matter how hard you try, it just won’t run because every part of it is in some way damaged. Similarly, Calvin believed that sin has damaged every part of a person, making it impossible for them to come to God without His help.

Unconditional Election

Unconditional Election is the idea that God chooses certain people to be saved, not based on anything they have done, but purely out of His own mercy and will. This choice is made before the foundation of the world, meaning it is not influenced by any human action or decision.

Example: Think of a teacher who decides to give a surprise prize to some students just because she wants to, not because of their grades or behavior. In a similar way, Calvin taught that God chooses to save some people simply because He wants to, not because of anything they have done to earn it.

Limited Atonement

Calvin’s doctrine of Limited Atonement means that Jesus died specifically for the elect, those whom God has chosen to save. His sacrifice on the cross effectively secures salvation only for these chosen individuals, rather than for everyone.

Example: Imagine a doctor who has a limited amount of a life-saving medicine. He knows he can only give it to a specific group of people to ensure they are healed. In the same way, Calvin believed that Jesus’ sacrifice was intended only for the elect, ensuring their salvation.

Irresistible Grace

Irresistible Grace refers to the belief that when God chooses to bestow His grace on an individual, that person cannot resist it. This grace will inevitably lead to their conversion and salvation because it changes their heart and will.

Example: Picture a magnet drawing metal towards it. No matter how much the metal tries to resist, it cannot because the magnet’s pull is too strong. Similarly, when God decides to give His grace to someone, they will inevitably come to faith because His grace is so powerful.

Perseverance of the Saints

The final point, Perseverance of the Saints, means that those whom God has elected and drawn to Himself through grace will continue in their faith until the end. They cannot lose their salvation because it is secured by God’s power, not by their own efforts.

Example: Think of a child holding onto a parent’s hand while walking through a busy street. The child’s safety does not depend on their grip but on the parent’s strong hold. Similarly, Calvin believed that the salvation of the elect is secure because God holds them firmly, ensuring they will not fall away.

Free Will in Calvin’s Theology

Calvin acknowledged that humans have free will, but he believed it is severely limited by sin. In their natural state, people cannot choose to follow God because their will is enslaved to sin. Only through God’s intervention can a person’s will be freed to choose Him.

Example: Imagine a prisoner in a cell. They have the freedom to move around within the cell but cannot leave it without someone unlocking the door. In the same way, Calvin believed that people have limited free will, constrained by sin, and need God to unlock their ability to choose Him.

Biblical Support

Calvin’s doctrines are rooted in various passages from the Bible. Key verses include:

• John 6:65: “No one can come to me unless it has been granted him by my Father.”
• Romans 8:29-30: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
• Ephesians 1:4-5: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

These verses emphasize God’s sovereignty in salvation and the idea that He initiates and completes the work of saving people.

Human Responsibility

Despite his strong emphasis on God’s sovereignty, Calvin did not deny human responsibility. He believed that people are still responsible for their actions and decisions. The mystery lies in how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility coexist.

Example: Think of a playwright who writes a script for a play. The actors have to follow the script, but they are still responsible for how they perform their roles. Similarly, Calvin taught that God has a sovereign plan, but people are still accountable for their actions within that plan.

Conclusion

John Calvin’s teachings on predestination and free will revolve around the absolute sovereignty of God. He believed that God predestines certain individuals to salvation, a decision not based on any human merit but solely on God’s will. Humans, in their sinful state, cannot choose God without His intervention. When God extends His grace, it is irresistible and ensures the salvation of the elect, who will persevere in their faith until the end. While this doctrine emphasizes God’s control, it also recognizes human responsibility within the divine plan. Through these teachings, Calvin sought to highlight the profound depth of God’s grace and the assurance it provides to believers.