Here is my position:
T – Total Depravity: Men will not seek God apart from the work of God in man.
Jer.17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”
Titus.3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
We are born depraved---but not so totally that we cannot reach out to God.
Even non-believers can do good deeds and few are TOTALLY corrupt.
However, it is necessary for God to make Himself known. I believe that from the beginning to time God has, and man is responsible for answering.
Romans 1:19-20
Re Titus 3:3 we were indeed slaves to the evil one.
U – Unconditional Election: God has chosen us not because of any merit He saw in us but by His own determination.
John.17:9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
John.6:39 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.39 "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
2Thes.2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
**** These verses could also refer to corporate election.
I'm not sure I see corporate election in these verses, but I'm too tired to study them. The verses of John require scripture and comment...not now, but I've done this for AD....in former posts.
2 Thes 2:13 refers to HOW we are saved not WHO. Salvation THROUGH SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit.....
L – Limited Atonement: God gave Christ that all who believe would be saved.
John.10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
Christ died to save those who would believe – not to save those who will not to believe (they will be judged). Historically Calvinism (since Beza) has been divided on the extent of this one.
Calvin held that Christ is the propitiation for the sins of all men, without exception. Other’s view it differently based on how they reason it out.
Is this true about Calvin? I've read statements in the institutes that do not show this to be true...and some things that are rather disconcerting to say the least.
However, I do agree with you that some Calvinists believe that Jesus died to be an atonement for all men....if He died only for the elect - there was no reason for Him to die.
I – Irresistible Grace: God's redemptive plan will be accomplished.
Rom.8:30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Agreed. God's ultimate plan will be accomplished. But somehow this includes our having a will that is free to make moral judgements. Free will is a major component of calvinism and if free will is accepted then the other concepts fall apart. However, I've listed many verses regarding free will and non one has ever been able to show me WHEN we lost this free will. I've come to have my own understanding about this and everyone should come to their own conclusion; although it's not necessary. It's not necessary that we understand EVERYTHING about God --- just what He has revealed to us.
P – Perseverance of the Saints (Eternal Security/ Eternal Life): Whoever believes will be given eternal life.
Jn.10:30 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.30 "I and My Father are one."
**** "Salvation" can be qualified by the eternal state of being saved as evidenced by being found in Christ "on that day".