Both Calvinistic and Reformed Theology agree on the Five Solas and the Five Points of Calvinism. Last time we gave some background on the Five points of Calvinism, pointing out that the Five Points were an answer to the five Articles of the Arminian Remonstrance. This time let’s compare the two.

The Five Articles of the (Arminian) Remonstrance:

a. Man is never so lost that he cannot choose to do good and to believe;

b. Election is based on God foreseeing that some will believe in Christ for salvation;

c. Christ died for all human beings, though only those who believe will be saved;

d. The sovereign grace of God may be ultimately resisted by those who reject Christ in unbelief;

e. Believers can fall away, rendering assurance uncertain.

The Five Points of Calvinism (in answer to the Arminian Remonstrance):

a. Total Depravity. All men are sinners and every area of life is tainted by sin, although we are not as sinful as we could be;

b. Unconditional Election. God elects people to salvation without respect to their merit;

c. Limited Atonement (or Particular Redemption). Christ died for the elect;

d. Irresistible Grace. The elect will not ultimately reject grace;

e. Perseverance of the Saints. The elect will be saved in the end.

Because the Calvinistic view was established first among the Reformed, but was objected to by the Arminians, and because our church is Calvinistic, I will provide a little more explanation on the Five Points of Calvinism in the next post.