The Five Points of Calvinism in History and Personally:

The Five Points of Calvinism are historically and personally controversial. Historically, they are a response to the Five Points of Arminianism. The Five Points of Arminianism are named after Jacob Arminius, a Dutch Pastor and Theologian in the mid-1500's to the early 1600's. Some people have accused me of being a direct descendant of good ole Arminius (pictured below). But I promise, though we look alike, I am not.

Those who identified with his system of theology are called "Arminians." (No, this is not the same label as the people from the country Armenia.) This is quite important today. While American evangelicalism was originally Calvinistic, today it is not, but Arminian. In fact, most American evangelical churches today teach the Arminian system of doctrine. For instance, if you believe the natural person, though a sinner, can still reach out to God in faith, unassisted by God, then, whether you knew it or not, you are Arminian in your thinking.

The Arminians and the Reformed were both Dutch. In fact, at the time, they were both apart of the Dutch Reformed Church. The Arminians were publicly antagonistic to the Reformed Theology being taught in Geneva and in the Netherlands. So they published the Five Points of Remonstrance, or "ardent protest". The Reformed Church responded publicly. They held a gathering of their church court at Dordrecht to answer these five doctrines point for point. And [drum roll please] the Five Points of Calvinism were born. The name of that Synod was the Synod of Dort. So, the Five Points of Calvinism, or the Doctrines of Grace, were a reaction to false teaching.

However, some have objected to the name "Calvinism." And I don’t mind the objection. It's not unlike the difference between "Calvinism" and "Reformed Theology." When your average Southerner hears the category "Calvinism" many respond as though you just said a cuss word. But, when you say "Reformed Theology" they are shockingly open. Maybe because "Reformed" and even "the Protestant Reformation" hasn't been taught in our churches in a long time. Maybe because the "Calvinism" well has been poisoned by opposing pastors for a long time. Or maybe, it is genuinely the name. And, the name does matter. It's unfortunate that the Five Points were named after John Calvin, a French pastor and theologian in the early to mid-1500's.

I highly doubt Calvin would have appreciated the name. But, it isn't named after him per se, but the system of theological thought attributed to him. If anything, Calvinism strives, using the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and the method of expository teaching, to be clearly biblical. Sola Scriptura is a mantra of the Reformation calling for the church to find its ultimate authority for any doctrine or practice in "The Scriptures Alone," hence Sola (Alone) Scriptura (the Bible). Further, expository teaching naturally flowed out of Sola Scriptura. If the Bible is our ultimate authority for any doctrine or practice, then the church should stick close to the text going verse by verse, chapter by chapter, through the Bible. This doctrine Calvin unapologetically taught. And this method of teaching is throughout his commentaries and his books. However, Jacob Arminius was three years old when Calvin died. So, Calvin wasn't even alive for the controversy, let alone the pithy response of the Five Points. The Synod of Dort was held from 1618-1619. But Calvin died in 1564, more than fifty years before. But still, he wouldn't have liked the Five Points named after him. And I personally don't mind the Reformed Church apologizing for the reference. We should not be naming movements or doctrines after sinful men. Yet, these five points of biblical doctrine are and will still be referenced as "the Five Point of Calvinism," or "the Doctrines of Grace."

Personally, these doctrines are both so biblical and so contrary to our flesh that many Christians reject the headings and the content. In fact, some just irrationally respond with vitriol to the headings. You’ll see more all the heading in future blogposts. Oddly enough when presented with the content from the Bible, but without the headings, many Christians will see just how eminently biblical the Five Points of Calvinism are. But, when you reinsert the headings … the fangs come out. However, I'm confident that the Holy Spirit working through the plain teaching of his Word, will actually show you the vast storehouses of comfort that come, not just by the doctrine, but when we see the connections of these doctrines to our living and reigning Savior, His Father in Heaven, and the Spirit who abides in us. In following posts, I will personally strive to show how each doctrine relates to your relationship with each person of the Trinity and the gospel.

In Christ, and with you all,

Rev. Joshua Sparkman

Christ Presbyterian Church (2131 Cody Road S.)

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