As Doutrinas da Graa

http://themoorings.org/doctrine/issues/Calvinism/daisy.html Many today identify Calvinism with the system of doctrine that bears the name TULIP. Muitos hoje identificar o calvinismo com o sistema de doutrina que leva o nome de tulipa. The letters of the acronym correspond to five doctrines known as the doctrines of grace, also as the five points of Calvinism. As letras da sigla correspondem a cinco doutrinas conhecidas como as doutrinas da graa, tambm como os cinco pontos do calvinismo.

T = Total depravity T = Total depravao U = Unconditional election U = eleio incondicional L = Limited atonement L = Limited expiao I = Irresistible grace I = graa irresistvel P = Perseverance of the saints P = Perseverana dos santos

Calvin himself never codified the doctrines of grace in this manner. Calvino nunca codificou as doutrinas da graa dessa maneira. Indeed, he would have objected to how these doctrines are understood and taught by some who call themselves Calvinists. Na verdade, ele teria se opuseram forma como essas doutrinas so entendidas e ensinadas por alguns que se dizem calvinistas. Yet when properly formulated, all five points are Biblical in substance, although they easily become unbiblical in emphasis unless they are kept in balance with the doctrines of responsibility. No entanto, quando adequadamente formulados, os cinco pontos bblico em substncia, apesar de facilmente tornar-se na nfase bblica a menos que sejam mantidos em equilbrio com as doutrinas de responsabilidade.

Total Depravity Depravao Total

Question addressed by the first point: Questo abordada pelo primeiro ponto: Who is worthy to be saved? Quem digno de ser salvo? Defensible answer: Defensible resposta: God finds nothing in any man that makes him deserving of eternal life. Deus no encontra nada de qualquer homem que o faz merecedor da vida eterna. Every man is totally depraved. Todo homem totalmente depravado. Defense: Defesa:
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 10 Como est escrito: No h justo, nem sequer um: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 11 H quem entenda, no h ningum que busque a Deus. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 12 Eles so todos ido para fora do caminho, eles esto juntos se tornam inteis: no h ningum que faa o bem, no h sequer um. Romans 3:10-12 Romanos 3:10-12

Indefensible answer: resposta indefensvel: Man is incapable of doing good. O homem incapaz de fazer o bem. Refutation: Refutao:

Although Scripture says, "The plowing of the wicked, is sin" (Prov. 21:4), it is judging not the act, but the motive. Embora a Escritura diz: "A lavoura dos mpios pecado" (Prov. 21:04), no julgar o ato, mas o motivo. The motive may be tainted either by prideful selfsufficiency or by idolatrous dependence on heathen gods. O motivo pode ser maculada, quer por orgulhosa auto-suficincia ou dependncia idlatras sobre os deuses pagos. But because plowing helps to sustain life, the act itself may be wholly good. Mas, porque ajuda a lavoura para sustentar a vida, o ato em si pode ser totalmente bom.

Unconditional Election Eleio Incondicional

Question arising from the first point and addressed by the second point: Pergunta decorrentes do primeiro ponto e dirigida pelo segundo ponto: Though all men are too wicked to deserve eternal life, God chooses (elects) some for salvation. Embora os homens so demasiado mau para merecer a vida eterna, Deus escolhe (elege) alguns para a salvao. Does He choose them because they are less wicked? Ele no escolh-los porque eles so menos maus? Defensible answer: Defensible resposta: The answer is, no. A resposta no. God's decision to bestow saving grace takes no account of human merit. A deciso de Deus para conceder a graa salvadora no leva em conta o mrito humano. That is, divine election is unconditional. Ou seja, a eleio divina incondicional. Defense: Defesa: Paul was saved, though he was the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Paulo foi salvo, embora ele era o chefe dos pecadores (1 Tm. 1:15). Indefensible answer: resposta indefensvel: God's bestowal of saving grace is arbitrary. outorga de Deus da graa salvadora arbitrria. Refutation: Refutao: God's avowal, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Rom. 9:13), does not mean that His love for Jacob was arbitrary or at random. confisso de Deus, "Amei a Jac, mas odiei a Esa" (Rom. 09:13), no significa que o Seu amor por Jac foi arbitrria ou aleatoriamente. God loves His elect because He made them to be vessels of honor and, seeing the end from the beginning, He has known from eternity past what by grace they would become. Deus ama os seus eleitos, porque Ele os fez a ser vasos de honra e, vendo o fim desde o incio, ele conheceu desde a eternidade passada pela graa que eles se tornariam. So, His election is not without consideration of each man's person and potential. Assim, sua eleio no , sem considerao da pessoa de cada homem e potencial. It is motivated by love for those who will someday conform to the image of Christ. motivado pelo amor para aqueles que um dia vai estar em conformidade com a imagem de Cristo.

Limited Atonement Expiao Limitada

Question arising from the second point and addressed by the third: Pergunta decorrentes do segundo ponto e dirigida pelo terceiro:

If God saves men although they are sinners, will all be saved? Se Deus salva os homens embora sejam pecadores, todos sero salvos? Defensible answer: Defensible resposta: All men will not be saved. Todos os homens no sero salvos. The benefits of Christ's atonement are not bestowed on all men, but reserved for a few. Os benefcios da expiao de Cristo no so concedidos a todos os homens, mas reservou para poucos. Defense: Defesa: Jesus said, Jesus disse:
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 13 Entrai pela porta estreita: porque larga a porta, e espaoso o caminho que conduz perdio, e muitos so os que entram por ela; 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 14 Porque estreita a porta e apertado o caminho que leva vida, e poucos h que a encontrem. Matthew 7:13-14 Mateus 7:13-14

Point L, properly understood, is a rejection of universalism. Ponto L, bem entendido, uma rejeio do universalismo. Indefensible answer: resposta indefensvel: Christ died only for the elect. Cristo morreu apenas pelos eleitos. Refutation: Refutao: Many passages teach that Christ died for all men. Muitas passagens ensinam que Cristo morreu por todos os homens.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 14 Porque o amor de Cristo nos constrange, porque julgamos assim, que, se um morreu por todos, em seguida, foram todos mortos: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 15 E que ele morreu por todos, que os que vivem no vivem at agora devem-se, mas para aquele que por eles morreu e ressuscitou. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 2 Corntios 5:14-15 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. E ele a propiciao pelos nossos pecados, e no apenas para os nossos, mas tambm pelos pecados de todo o mundo. 1 John 2:2 1 Joo 2:2 . . . . . . We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. Ns confio em Deus, que o Salvador de todos os homens, especialmente dos que crem. 1 Timothy 4:10 1 Timteo 4:10

Christ's redemptive work was evidently sufficient to purchase salvation for all men, would they simply accept it. obra redentora de Cristo foi, evidentemente, suficiente para comprar a salvao para todos os homens, que eles simplesmente aceit-la. But though it was universally sufficient, it was not universally efficient. Mas se fosse universalmente

suficiente, no era universalmente eficientes. That is, it did not actually confer salvation upon all men. Isto , na verdade no conferem a salvao a todos os homens.

Irresistible Grace Graa Irresistvel

Question arising from the third point and addressed by the fourth: Pergunta decorrentes do terceiro ponto e dirigida pelo quarto: God saves sinners through the gospel, which urges them to believe in Christ as their Savior. Deus salva pecadores atravs do evangelho, que exorta-os a crer em Cristo como seu Salvador. But if human depravity will keep at least some from responding correctly to the gospel, will not all be lost, since all are by nature equally froward and hostile to the truth? Mas se a depravao humana vai manter pelo menos alguns de responder corretamente para o evangelho, no sero perdidos, j que todos so iguais por natureza perversa e hostil verdade? Defensible answer: Defensible resposta: God is capable of saving a man even though he is God's bitter enemy. Deus capaz de salvar um homem mesmo que ele amargo inimigo de Deus. Divine grace works irresistibly upon a stubborn heart and transforms it so that it is willing to believe the gospel. graa divina trabalha em cima de um irresistvel corao teimoso e transforma-lo para que ele esteja disposto a crer no evangelho. Defense: Defesa: Paul, again, is the sterling example. Paulo, novamente, o exemplo de libras esterlinas. He was the chief of sinners, but God saved him. Ele era o chefe dos pecadores, mas Deus o salvou. Moreover, Jesus said that although a camel could go through the eye of a needle more easily than a rich man could attain heaven, with God all things are possible (Luke 18:25-27). Alm disso, Jesus disse que, apesar de um camelo pode passar pelo buraco de uma agulha mais facilmente do que um homem rico, poderia alcanar o cu, com Deus tudo possvel (Lucas 18:25-27). Indefensible answer: resposta indefensvel: God saves sinners against their will. Deus salva pecadores contra sua vontade. Refutation: Refutao: God never forces a man to accept Christ. Deus nunca fora um homem a aceitar a Cristo. Rather, He works in a man's heart and mind until, of his own free volition, he desires to accept Christ. Pelo contrrio, Ele trabalha no corao do homem e da mente, at que de sua prpria vontade livre, ele deseja aceitar a Cristo.

Perseverance of the Saints Perseverana dos Santos

Question arising from the fourth point and addressed by the fifth: Pergunta decorrentes do quarto ponto e dirigida pelo quinto If salvation is entirely a work of God, might He take it away just as irresistibly as He gave it? Se a salvao inteiramente obra de Deus, Ele pode tir-lo to irresistvel como ele lhe deu?

Defensible answer: Defensible resposta: A man truly saved will never lose his salvation. Um homem verdadeiramente salvos nunca perder a sua salvao. Defense: Defesa: Jesus promised, Jesus prometeu:
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Tudo o que o Pai me d vir a mim, e que vem a mim de maneira sbia fora elenco no. John 6:37 Joo 6:37

Indefensible answer: resposta indefensvel: Any man who believes he is saved can be sure of his salvation. Qualquer homem que acredita que ele guardado pode ter certeza da sua salvao. Refutation: Refutao: Jesus warned, Jesus advertiu:
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 21 Nem todo o que me diz: Senhor, Senhor, Senhor, entrar no reino dos cus, mas aquele que faz a vontade de meu Pai que est nos cus. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? 22 Muitos me diro naquele dia: Senhor, Senhor, no profetizamos ns em teu nome? and in thy name have cast out devils? e em teu nome no expulsamos demnios? and in thy name done many wonderful works? e em teu nome no fizemos muitos milagres? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 23 E ento direi-lhes: Nunca vos conheci: afastar-me, vs que praticais a iniqidade. Matthew 7:21-23 Mateus 7:21-23

The Doctrines of Responsibility As Doutrinas de Responsabilidade

TULIP clearly presents the Biblical doctrines of divine grace, but ignores the Biblical doctrines of human responsibility. TULIP apresenta claramente as doutrinas bblicas da graa divina, mas ignora a doutrina bblica da responsabilidade humana. For each of the five points of Calvinism, there is a counterbalancing truth. Para cada um dos cinco pontos do calvinismo, h uma verdade que se compensam.

Deliberate Sin Deliberada Sin

Possible distortion: As eventuais distores: Point T alone could lead some to believe that depravity is a condition we passively receive. T Point sozinho poderia levar alguns a acreditar que a depravao uma condio que recebem passivamente. Corrective: Corretiva:

The doctrine of Total Depravity is balanced by the doctrine of Deliberate Sin. A doutrina da Depravao Total equilibrada pela doutrina do pecado deliberado.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Todos ns como ovelhas desgarradas; virmos cada uma a seu modo, eo Senhor fez cair sobre ele a iniqidade de ns todos. Isaiah 53:6 Isaias 53:6

We all cooperate with our innate depravity by sinning wilfully. Ns todos cooperar com a nossa depravao inata de pecar deliberadamente. Sin is our conscious choice. O pecado a nossa escolha consciente.

All-Encompassing Call Englobando todos-Call

Possible distortion: As eventuais distores: Point U alone could be taken to mean that some might be denied salvation though they desire it. Ponto U s poderiam ser tomadas no sentido de que alguns poderiam ser negada a salvao que eles desejam. Corrective: Corretiva: The doctrine of Unconditional Election is balanced by the doctrine of All-Encompassing Call. A doutrina da eleio incondicional equilibrada pela doutrina abrangente Call.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Porque Deus amou o mundo, que deu o seu unignito Filho unignito, para que todo aquele que nele cr no perea, mas tenha a vida eterna. John 3:16 Joo 3:16 . . . . . . And let him that is athirst come. E quem tem sede venha. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. E quem quiser, tome a gua da vida livremente. Revelation 22:17 Apocalipse 22:17

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is available to whoever wants it. A Bblia ensina claramente que a salvao est disponvel para quem quiser.

Infinite Love Infinite Love

Possible distortion: As eventuais distores: Some might infer from Point L alone that God is indifferent to the lost. Alguns podem deduzir Point L s que Deus indiferente para os perdidos. Corrective: Corretiva: The doctrine of Limited Atonement is balanced by the doctrine of Infinite Love. A doutrina da Expiao Limitada equilibrada pela doutrina do Infinito Amor.

The Lord is . O Senhor . . . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. longnimo para conosco, os, no querendo que nenhum perea, seno que todos cheguem ao arrependimento. 2 Peter 3:9 2 Pedro 3:9 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Porque Deus amou o mundo, que deu o seu unignito Filho unignito, para que todo aquele que nele cr no perea, mas tenha a vida eterna. John 3:16 Joo 3:16

God loves the whole world of man, including all who will reject His love. Deus ama o mundo do homem, incluindo todos os que rejeitam o Seu amor.

Spontaneous Faith Espontnea F

Possible distortion: As eventuais distores: Point I alone could be construed as saying that a man should wait for saving faith to descend mysteriously from above. Ponto que eu s poderia ser interpretado como dizendo que um homem deve esperar para a f salvadora para descer misteriosamente de cima. Corrective: Corretiva: The doctrine of Irresistible Grace is balanced by the doctrine of Spontaneous Faith. A doutrina da Graa Irresistvel equilibrada pela doutrina da f espontnea.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Porque com o corao se cr para justia e com a boca se faz confisso para a salvao. Romans 10:10 Romanos 10:10

Saving faith originates in the authentic desires of a man's heart. A f salvadora originrio da f desejos do corao de um homem. It comes not from without, but from within. No vem de fora, mas de dentro. If, in his heart, a man desires to be saved and believes that he can be saved only through Christ, he need not postpone a decision for Christ until God grants him a special kind of faith. Se, no seu corao, um homem deseja ser salvo e acredita que ele s pode ser salvo atravs de Cristo, ele no precisa adiar uma deciso por Cristo at que Deus lhe concede um tipo especial de f. He already has exactly the faith he needs. Ele j tem exatamente a f que ele precisa.

Yieldedness of the Saints Rendio dos Santos

Possible distortion: As eventuais distores: Some might view Point P alone as an excuse for carelessness in the Christian life. Alguns podem ver Ponto P s como uma desculpa para o descuido na vida crist. Corrective: Corretiva:

The doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints is balanced by the doctrine of Yieldedness of the Saints. A doutrina da Perseverana dos Santos equilibrado pela doutrina da rendio dos Santos.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. Portanto, irmos, dar a diligncia para tornar a sua vocao e eleio: em vez de se fizerdes estas coisas, nunca jamais cair. 2 Peter 1:10 2 Pedro 1:10

The proof that a man is saved is a life befitting a saved man. A prova de que um homem salvo uma vida, um homem digno salvos.

DAISY DAISY
The doctrines that bring TULIP into balance therefore constitute another five points, which we will call the doctrines of responsibility. As doutrinas que trazem TULIP em equilbrio, portanto, constituir outro de cinco pontos, que chamamos as doutrinas de responsabilidade. T = Total Depravity T = Depravao Total U = Unconditional Election U = Eleio Incondicional L = Limited Atonement L = Expiao limitada I = Irresistible Grace I = graa irresistvel D = Deliberate Sin D = pecado deliberado A = All-Encompassing Call A = Call All-Englobando I = Infinite Love I = Amor Infinito S = Spontaneous Faith S = A f espontnea

P = Perseverance of the Saints P Y = Yieldedness of the Saints = Perseverana dos Santos Y = rendio dos Santos

Common Objections to the Doctrine of Election Objees comuns para a Doutrina da Eleio
The doctrine of election disregards the free will of man. A doutrina da eleio ignora o livre-arbtrio do homem. It looks to many as if TULIP is saying that every man is appointed to a destiny which he cannot alterthat he faces heaven or hell without consideration of what he himself wants. Parece que muitos, como se TULIP est dizendo que cada homem designado para um destino que ele no pode alterar o que ele enfrenta o cu ou o inferno sem levar em conta o que ele quer. But TULIP does not deny that a man's future depends on his own free choice. Mas TULIP no nega que o futuro do homem depende de sua prpria escolha livre. It merely starts on the premise that every man's free choice, apart from grace, is to reject God. Limitou-se a inicia-se na premissa de que a livre escolha de cada um, alm de graa, rejeitar a Deus. Only by grace can a man's heart be changed so that his free choice is to accept salvation in Christ. Somente pela graa podemos corao de um homem ser alterado para que sua escolha livre para aceitar a salvao em Cristo. Yet this defense of TULIP spawns another objection. No entanto, esta defesa da TULIP gera outra objeo.

God would be unjust to grant saving grace to some and to withhold it from others. Deus seria injusto ao conceder a graa salvadora para alguns e para ret-lo dos outros. I will answer this objection by means of a parable. Eu vou responder a esta objeco, por meio de uma parbola. Suppose I see ten people walking resolutely toward a cliff. Suponha que eu veja dez pessoas caminhando decididamente em direo a um precipcio. One is my own child. Um deles o meu prprio filho. I vehemently warn them all, but they laugh in my face and trample underfoot the evidence I show them of their peril. Eu veementemente avis-los todos, mas eles riem da minha cara e ps pisam as provas que eu mostro-lhes a sua conta e risco. If I then tackle my child and tie him down so that he can go no farther, am I unjust because I do not forcibly restrain the rest, because I let them suffer the consequences of their stupidity? Ora, se eu resolver o meu filho e amarr-lo para que ele possa ir mais longe, eu sou injusto, porque eu no forosamente conter o resto, porque eu deix-los sofrer as conseqncias de sua estupidez? This is a poor analogy to God's predicament, because the issue between man and God is more personal. Esta a analogia pobre contrariedade Deus, porque a questo entre o homem e Deus mais pessoal. Man has allied himself with God's archenemy. O homem se aliou com o arquiinimigo de Deus. Is God unjust if He does not intervene to save every man from the consequences of his own deliberate treason against God? Deus injusto se Ele no intervm para salvar todos os homens das conseqncias de sua prpria traio deliberada contra Deus? By no means. De maneira nenhuma. He is infinitely gracious to save any man. Ele infinitamente misericordioso para salvar algum. Many Christians have not come to terms with the clear teaching of Romans 9. Muitos cristos no chegaram a um acordo com o claro ensinamento de Romanos 9.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 10 E no somente isto, mas tambm Rebeca, quando concebeu de um, at mesmo por nosso pai Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 11 (para as crianas que ainda no nasceu, no tendo feito bem ou mal, para que o propsito de Deus segundo a eleio ficasse firme, no de obras, mas por aquele que chama;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 12 Foi-lhe dito: O maior servir o menor. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 13 Como est escrito: Amei Jac, Esa, mas eu odiava. 14 What shall we say then? 14 Que diremos, pois? Is there unrighteousness with God? H injustia da parte de Deus? God forbid. Deus me livre. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 15 Porque diz a Moiss: Terei misericrdia de quem eu quiser ter misericrdia, e terei compaixo de quem me aprouver ter compaixo. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 16 Assim, pois, no depende do que quer, nem daquele que corre, mas de misericrdia que Deus sheweth. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 17 Porque diz a Escritura a Fara, mesmo para o mesmo efeito que eu te levantei, para que eu pudesse mostrar meu poder em ti, e que meu nome seja anunciado em toda a terra. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 18 Portanto, tem ele misericrdia de quem quer ter misericrdia, e quem quer endurece. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? 19 Dirs ento para mim, Por que ele ainda se queixa? For who hath resisted his will? Para quem tem resistido sua vontade? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? 20 Mas, homem, quem s tu, que a Deus replicas? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Porventura a coisa formada dir ao que a formou: Porque me fizeste assim? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 21 no tem o oleiro poder sobre o barro, para da mesma massa fazer um vaso para honra e outro para desonra? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 22 E se Deus, querendo mostrar a sua ira e tornar conhecido seu poder, suportou com muita longanimidade os vasos de ira preparados para a perdio: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory. 23 E que ele poderia dar a conhecer as riquezas da sua glria nos vasos de misericrdia, que de antemo preparou para a glria. Romans 9:10-23 Romanos 9:10-23

We cannot fathom all the reasons why God has not chosen to save everyone. Ns no podemos compreender as razes pelas quais Deus no escolheu salvar todos. But one reason, according to this passage, is that God is "willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known" (v. 22). Mas um dos motivos, de acordo com esta passagem, que Deus est "disposto a mostrar sua ira e tornar conhecido o seu poder" (v. 22). He wants us to know Him in all the complexity of His Person. Ele quer que ns conhecemos em toda a complexidade da sua pessoa. Inseparable from His character is a holy wrath toward such perfidy as man has committed, and inseparable from His divine resources is the power to implement eternal retribution. Inseparvel de sua personagem uma ira santa na direo perfdia como o homem cometeu, e inseparvel Seus recursos divina o poder de aplicar punio eterna. So that we might love Him better, He wants to show us a full picture of His holiness and power. Para que possamos am-Lo melhor, Ele quer nos mostrar uma viso completa de sua santidade e poder. God expressly states that He wants every man to be saved. Deus afirma expressamente que Ele quer que todos os homens sejam salvos. It has seemed to many that the doctrine of election runs afoul of the New Testament principle that God desires the salvation of all men. Pareceu a muitos que a doutrina da eleio executado em conflito com o princpio do Novo Testamento que Deus deseja a salvao de todos os homens.
Who [God] will have all men to be saved , and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Que [Deus] que todos os homens sejam salvos e cheguem ao pleno conhecimento da verdade. 1 Timothy 2:4 1 Timteo 2:4 The Lord is . O Senhor . . . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. longnimo para conosco, os, no querendo que nenhum perea, seno que todos cheguem ao arrependimento. 2 Peter 3:9 2 Pedro 3:9

But these texts are intended primarily to accomplish the following purposes: Mas estes textos so destinados principalmente para realizar as seguintes finalidades: 1. 1. They give a general answer to the problem of evil. Eles do uma resposta geral para o problema do mal. God is disclaiming responsibility for the death that entered the world through sin. Deus est negando a responsabilidade pela morte, que entrou no mundo atravs do pecado. He is saying that a sinner perishes not by God's choice, but by his own choice, as a result of his free decision to enlist in the cosmic rebellion against God. Ele est dizendo que um pecador no perece por escolha de Deus, mas por sua prpria escolha, como resultado da sua deciso livre para se alistar na rebelio csmica contra Deus. Perhaps it will be helpful to consider an analogous case. Talvez seja til examinar um caso anlogo. Suppose our country was overrun by a foreign army, and as they swept through my town, a hostile soldier came to my door with the obvious intent of shooting anyone he found inside. Suponha que nosso pas foi invadida por um exrcito estrangeiro, e como eles varreu minha cidade, um soldado hostis vieram minha porta com a inteno bvia de algum disparar ele encontrou l dentro. In self-defense, I would aim my gun at the door and pull the trigger as soon as he burst through. Em auto-defesa, eu teria como objectivo a minha arma na porta e puxar o gatilho, logo que estourou completamente. While waiting tensely for the moment of battle, I might well feel that I had no desire to kill this man, that I was not willing that he should perish. Enquanto espera tensa para o momento da batalha, eu poderia sentir que eu no tinha vontade de matar este homem, que eu no estava querendo que ele perea. Yet to protect everything I held dear, I would not hesitate to kill him as soon as he appeared, and I would rest assured that he himself bore the blame for his death. No entanto, para proteger tudo o que eu amava, eu no hesitaria em mat-lo logo que ele apareceu, eu teria certeza de que ele prprio furo a culpa por morrer. An objector might press the analogy further and say, "Yes, but if you were all-powerful like God, you could capture the soldier and change his allegiance." Um oponente pode pressionar a analogia mais longe e dizer: "Sim, mas se voc fosse todo-poderoso como Deus, voc poderia capturar o soldado e mudar a sua lealdade." I could, but probably I would not, especially if he

were a hardened killer, guilty of many atrocities in the past. Eu poderia, mas provavelmente eu no teria, especialmente se ele fosse um assassino endurecido, culpada de muitas atrocidades no passado. And if I should take his life, I would not be acting unjustly by any standard. E se eu tomar sua vida, eu no estaria agindo injustamente por qualquer padro. If I spared his life, I would not be treating him justly, but extending undeserved mercy and grace. Se eu poupou sua vida, eu no seria trat-lo com justia, mas alargando imerecida misericrdia e graa. We are all like that soldier. Somos todos como esse soldado. We are hardened sinners, with a record of transgressions leaving no grounds in justice to spare our lives. Somos pecadores endurecido, com um registro de transgresses sem deixar motivos de justia para poupar nossas vidas. If God chooses not to save us, He is just. Se Deus no escolhe para nos salvar, Ele justo. If He saves us, He is gracious and merciful. Se Ele nos salva, porque Ele clemente e misericordioso. 2. 2. These texts give an answer to the sinner seeking God's will concerning salvation. Estes textos do uma resposta ao pecador que busca a vontade de Deus sobre a salvao. God never tells such an inquirer, "I want you to be lost." Deus nunca diz como um inquiridor: "Eu quero que voc seja perdido". His answer is always, "I want you to be saved." Sua resposta sempre: "Eu quero que voc seja salvo".

The Doctrines of Grace

Many today identify Calvinism with the system of doctrine that bears the name TULIP. The letters of the acronym correspond to five doctrines known as the doctrines of grace, also as the five points of Calvinism.

T = Total depravity U = Unconditional election L = Limited atonement I = Irresistible grace P = Perseverance of the saints

Calvin himself never codified the doctrines of grace in this manner. Indeed, he would have objected to how these doctrines are understood and taught by some who call themselves Calvinists. Yet when properly formulated, all five points are Biblical in substance, although they easily become unbiblical in emphasis unless they are kept in balance with the doctrines of responsibility.

Total Depravity
Question addressed by the first point: Who is worthy to be saved? Defensible answer: God finds nothing in any man that makes him deserving of eternal life. Every man is totally depraved. Defense:
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12

Indefensible answer: Man is incapable of doing good. Refutation: Although Scripture says, "The plowing of the wicked, is sin" (Prov. 21:4), it is judging not the act, but the motive. The motive may be tainted either by prideful self-sufficiency or by idolatrous dependence on heathen gods. But because plowing helps to sustain life, the act itself may be wholly good.

Unconditional Election
Question arising from the first point and addressed by the second point: Though all men are too wicked to deserve eternal life, God chooses (elects) some for salvation. Does He choose them because they are less wicked? Defensible answer: The answer is, no. God's decision to bestow saving grace takes no account of human merit. That is, divine election is unconditional. Defense: Paul was saved, though he was the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Indefensible answer: God's bestowal of saving grace is arbitrary. Refutation: God's avowal, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Rom. 9:13), does not mean that His love for Jacob was arbitrary or at random. God loves His elect because He made them to be vessels of honor and, seeing the end from the beginning, He has known from eternity past what by grace they would become. So, His election is not without consideration of each man's person and potential. It is motivated by love for those who will someday conform to the image of Christ.

Limited Atonement
Question arising from the second point and addressed by the third: If God saves men although they are sinners, will all be saved? Defensible answer: All men will not be saved. The benefits of Christ's atonement are not bestowed on all men, but reserved for a few. Defense:

Jesus said,
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Point L, properly understood, is a rejection of universalism. Indefensible answer: Christ died only for the elect. Refutation: Many passages teach that Christ died for all men.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 . . . We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10

Christ's redemptive work was evidently sufficient to purchase salvation for all men, would they simply accept it. But though it was universally sufficient, it was not universally efficient. That is, it did not actually confer salvation upon all men.

Irresistible Grace
Question arising from the third point and addressed by the fourth: God saves sinners through the gospel, which urges them to believe in Christ as their Savior. But if human depravity will keep at least some from responding correctly to the gospel, will not all be lost, since all are by nature equally froward and hostile to the truth? Defensible answer: God is capable of saving a man even though he is God's bitter enemy. Divine grace works irresistibly upon a stubborn heart and transforms it so that it is willing to believe the gospel. Defense:

Paul, again, is the sterling example. He was the chief of sinners, but God saved him. Moreover, Jesus said that although a camel could go through the eye of a needle more easily than a rich man could attain heaven, with God all things are possible (Luke 18:25-27). Indefensible answer: God saves sinners against their will. Refutation: God never forces a man to accept Christ. Rather, He works in a man's heart and mind until, of his own free volition, he desires to accept Christ.

Perseverance of the Saints

Question arising from the fourth point and addressed by the fifth: If salvation is entirely a work of God, might He take it away just as irresistibly as He gave it? Defensible answer: A man truly saved will never lose his salvation. Defense: Jesus promised,
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Indefensible answer: Any man who believes he is saved can be sure of his salvation. Refutation: Jesus warned,
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

The Doctrines of Responsibility

TULIP clearly presents the Biblical doctrines of divine grace, but ignores the Biblical doctrines of human responsibility. For each of the five points of Calvinism, there is a counterbalancing truth.

Deliberate Sin
Possible distortion: Point T alone could lead some to believe that depravity is a condition we passively receive. Corrective: The doctrine of Total Depravity is balanced by the doctrine of Deliberate Sin.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

We all cooperate with our innate depravity by sinning wilfully. Sin is our conscious choice.

All-Encompassing Call
Possible distortion: Point U alone could be taken to mean that some might be denied salvation though they desire it. Corrective: The doctrine of Unconditional Election is balanced by the doctrine of All-Encompassing Call.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 . . . And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is available to whoever wants it.

Infinite Love
Possible distortion: Some might infer from Point L alone that God is indifferent to the lost. Corrective: The doctrine of Limited Atonement is balanced by the doctrine of Infinite Love.
The Lord is . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

God loves the whole world of man, including all who will reject His love.

Spontaneous Faith
Possible distortion: Point I alone could be construed as saying that a man should wait for saving faith to descend mysteriously from above. Corrective: The doctrine of Irresistible Grace is balanced by the doctrine of Spontaneous Faith.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

Saving faith originates in the authentic desires of a man's heart. It comes not from without, but from within. If, in his heart, a man desires to be saved and believes that he can be saved only through Christ, he need not postpone a decision for Christ until God grants him a special kind of faith. He already has exactly the faith he needs.

Yieldedness of the Saints

Possible distortion: Some might view Point P alone as an excuse for carelessness in the Christian life. Corrective: The doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints is balanced by the doctrine of Yieldedness of the Saints.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:10

The proof that a man is saved is a life befitting a saved man.

DAISY
The doctrines that bring TULIP into balance therefore constitute another five points, which we will call the doctrines of responsibility.

T = Total Depravity U = Unconditional Election L = Limited Atonement I = Irresistible Grace P = Perseverance of the Saints

D = Deliberate Sin A = All-Encompassing Call I = Infinite Love S = Spontaneous Faith Y = Yieldedness of the Saints

Common Objections to the Doctrine of Election

The doctrine of election disregards the free will of man. It looks to many as if TULIP is saying that every man is appointed to a destiny which he cannot alterthat he faces heaven or hell without consideration of what he himself wants. But TULIP does not deny that a man's future depends on his own free choice. It merely starts on the premise that every man's free choice, apart from grace, is to reject God. Only by grace can a man's heart be changed so that his free choice is to accept salvation in Christ. Yet this defense of TULIP spawns another objection. God would be unjust to grant saving grace to some and to withhold it from others. I will answer this objection by means of a parable. Suppose I see ten people walking resolutely toward a cliff. One is my own child. I vehemently warn them all, but they laugh in my face and trample underfoot the evidence I show them of their peril. If I then tackle my child and tie him down so that he can go no farther, am I unjust because I do not forcibly restrain the rest, because I let them suffer the consequences of their stupidity? This is a poor analogy to God's predicament, because the issue between man and God is more personal. Man has allied himself with God's archenemy. Is God unjust if He does not intervene to save every man from the consequences of his own deliberate treason against God? By no means. He is infinitely gracious to save any man. Many Christians have not come to terms with the clear teaching of Romans 9.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory. Romans 9:10-23

We cannot fathom all the reasons why God has not chosen to save everyone. But one reason, according to this passage, is that God is "willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known" (v. 22). He wants us to know Him in all the complexity of His Person. Inseparable from His character is a holy wrath toward such perfidy as man has committed, and inseparable from His divine resources is the power to implement eternal retribution. So that we might love Him better, He wants to show us a full picture of His holiness and power. God expressly states that He wants every man to be saved. It has seemed to many that the doctrine of election runs afoul of the New Testament principle that God desires the salvation of all men.
Who [God] will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:4

The Lord is . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

But these texts are intended primarily to accomplish the following purposes: 1. They give a general answer to the problem of evil. God is disclaiming responsibility for the death that entered the world through sin. He is saying that a sinner perishes not by God's choice, but by his own choice, as a result of his free decision to enlist in the cosmic rebellion against God. Perhaps it will be helpful to consider an analogous case. Suppose our country was overrun by a foreign army, and as they swept through my town, a hostile soldier came to my door with the obvious intent of shooting anyone he found inside. In self-defense, I would aim my gun at the door and pull the trigger as soon as he burst through. While waiting tensely for the moment of battle, I might well feel that I had no desire to kill this man, that I was not willing that he should perish. Yet to protect everything I held dear, I would not hesitate to kill him as soon as he appeared, and I would rest assured that he himself bore the blame for his death. An objector might press the analogy further and say, "Yes, but if you were all-powerful like God, you could capture the soldier and change his allegiance." I could, but probably I would not, especially if he were a hardened killer, guilty of many atrocities in the past. And if I should take his life, I would not be acting unjustly by any standard. If I spared his life, I would not be treating him justly, but extending undeserved mercy and grace. We are all like that soldier. We are hardened sinners, with a record of transgressions leaving no grounds in justice to spare our lives. If God chooses not to save us, He is just. If He saves us, He is gracious and merciful. 2. These texts give an answer to the sinner seeking God's will concerning salvation. God never tells such an inquirer, "I want you to be lost." His answer is always, "I want you to be saved."