Five Points of Calvinism

By an accident of history in the 17th century five great Christian truths, formulated by successors of the Reformers at the Synod of Dort to counter a drift from the gospel, became linked with the name of the Genevan Reformer who had died half a century earlier. The label ‘Calvinism’ was at first a propaganda tactic on the part of the opponents, but while defenders of the Reformation Faith recognised that it could well be called by another name they came to accept the term as denoting those doctrines which place man in entire dependence upon the free grace of God in salvation. Since the Reformation there have been eras when Calvinism, apparently discredited and forgotten, has risen again with vital force and evangelical power. If that is happening, as it appears today, then it means that biblical teaching is once more coming to the fore. This present booklet is written to explain that teaching, and the author’s standpoint is the same as that of C.H. Spurgeon who once wrote:

“We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not regard these five points as being barbed shafts which we are to thrust between the ribs of our fellow Christians. We look upon them as being five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross; or, rather, five bright emanations springing from the glorious covenant of our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus crucified.”