Many of the most well-known speakers and authors in the Christian community are Calvinists. The list includes John MacArthur, Al Mohler, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, and Paul Washer. However, I don’t believe any of these men are practical Calvinists (at least I hope not). To those unsure of exactly what Calvinism is, here is a quick synopsis of the popular acronym TULIP:

1. Total Depravity. Also called total inability, this means that man is utterly unable to seek the Father or choose salvation in Christ.
2. Unconditional Election. Because of mankind’s total inability to do anything towards His salvation, the Father must elect certain people to eternal life without any requirements on their part.
3. Limited Atonement. Also known as particular redemption, this means that Christ only died for those He unconditionally elected to salvation. Providing atonement for any other would be superfluous as there is no possibility of them being saved.
4. Irresistible Grace. Since there are no conditions for salvation, those to whom the Father gives grace will be saved.
5. Perseverance of the Saints. Also called the preservation of the saints or eternal security, this means that those who are saved will persevere or be preserved to the end. This is because the Father’s irresistible grace will keep them saved.

In short, a Calvinist believes the number and identity of all people who will be saved is determined by the Father. There is nothing a person can do to be saved, and once saved, there is nothing a person can to do lose their salvation.

As you may have guessed by the title of this post, I am not a Calvinist, though I used to be one. I don’t believe in the first four points (total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace) and am undecided on the last point (perseverance of the saints). However, I have never and will never be a practical Calvinist, that is, a Calvinist who allows these doctrines to affect their actions.

Here is a how a practical Calvinist might witness.

Calvinist talking to “lost” person: “You are utterly unable to do anything to get eternal life. However, Jesus Christ might have died for you. This would be due to the Father unconditionally choosing you. If He chooses you, you must become a Christian even if you don’t want to do so. Don’t worry, He will change your desires to make you desire Him. Also, you will continue serving Christ forever. This is because He will change your desires to make you desire to serve Him.”

One of the biggest focuses throughout the new testament is the doctrine of assurance. How can I know that I am part of the elect? Well, I have to do something or say something or believe something. I have to take an action or live a lifestyle to be assured that I am part of the elect. While what constitutes Biblical assurance is controversial, all Christians except for Universalists would say that a person has to do something to have it, whether that is saying a prayer, believing in your heart, not committing any mortal sins, going to mass every week, or living a lifestyle of holiness.

So, even if salvation is totally a work of the Father, assurance is obtained by man. And without assurance, the possibility that you might be part of the elect is a small hope, as Jesus said few would be on the road to life. For all practical purposes, my assurance of salvation is my salvation. There is a difference. One can have false assurance and not salvation. One can have salvation and not assurance. However, the most important thing here is true assurance, however that is obtained (I will discuss this in a future post).

So, if you want to be a Calvinist, go right ahead. I can find many passages of Scripture that support it. However, please don’t become a practical Calvinist. It is your responsibility to work out your own salvation and find true assurance. And I believe doing so would include following the command of Christ to preach the gospel to every creature.

When I used to be reformed, I would tell people that I believed like a Calvinist and lived like an Armenian. If you feel obligated to believe in Calvinism, please keep a fine distinction between your beliefs and your actions. It is because I was uncomfortable having this dichotomy in my life that I migrated toward a view of salvation focused more on man’s free will that is just as Biblical if not more so.