Your Calvinism is Showing

I’ve attended many Bible Study Groups over the years, and one thing is for certain, there will be a point during one of the discussions where I’ll be labeled as a Calvinist. Early on,. I had no idea what that meant, I thought I was just reading the Bible and understanding it as it was plain and simple. Turns out there was a man named John Calvin who came up an acrostic called TULIP which after reading it made me super concerned that people would label me as such.

Fast forward, now I really don’t mind if people label me as such. It just show that people just don’t understand things. Do some research and understand for yourself. I guess the more concerning thing is that Xians throw out labels as pejoratives.

Big picture: Calvinism emphasizes that salvation is 100% God’s work from start to finish—humans don’t initiate it, earn it, or keep it going. It’s all about God’s grace and sovereignty.

🌱 T – Total Depravity“Dead Battery”

🔋 Imagine a phone with a completely dead battery—it can’t turn itself back on.

  • We’re spiritually dead, not just weak. Only God jump-starts the heart.

🌤 U – Unconditional Election“Adoption Papers”

📜 Parents don’t adopt based on a child’s achievements. They choose out of love.

  • God’s choice isn’t based on our goodness, but His mercy.

🎯 L – Limited/Definite Atonement“Targeted Rescue”

🚁 A rescue helicopter doesn’t just circle overhead—it lowers the rope for specific people.

  • Jesus’ death doesn’t just make salvation possible—it guarantees it for His people.

🧲 I – Irresistible Grace“Magnet Pull”

🪙 A strong magnet doesn’t force metal—it naturally draws it in.

  • God changes our hearts so that we freely want Him.

🛡 P – Perseverance/Preservation“Tight Grip”

🤝 If it depended on us holding God’s hand, we’d let go. But He’s holding us—and He never drops His children.