A Calvinist is someone who adheres to the theological teachings of John Calvin, a 16th-century Protestant Reformer. Calvinism emphasizes the sovereignty of God over all aspects of life and salvation, teaching that God alone initiates and accomplishes the redemption of sinners. At its core, Calvinism upholds a high view of Scripture, God's glory, and the total dependence of humanity on divine grace.
The central doctrines of Calvinism are often summarized by the acronym TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Total Depravity teaches that sin affects every part of human nature, making people unable to choose God without His intervention. Unconditional Election asserts that God chooses individuals for salvation based on His will alone, not on any foreseen merit. Limited Atonement means Christ's death effectively secured salvation for those whom God has chosen. Irresistible Grace teaches that God's call to salvation cannot ultimately be resisted. Perseverance of the Saints affirms that those truly saved will endure in faith to the end.
A Calvinist believes that salvation is entirely the work of God from beginning to end. Human effort, though important in the Christian life, plays no role in securing salvation. This leads Calvinists to great humility and assurance, knowing that their salvation rests not on their own performance but on God's unchanging promise.
Calvinism also impacts how one views life beyond personal salvation. Calvinists typically hold that God's sovereignty extends to all areas—history, government, family, and individual vocation. Thus, many Calvinists see their daily lives as acts of worship, seeking to glorify God in all they do. In short, a Calvinist is someone who trusts fully in God's sovereign grace, finds assurance in His promises, and seeks to live all of life for the glory of God.
This article is intended to provide a ‘window sticker’ definition of Calvinism. It serves as neither an endorsement nor refutation of the views formulated by John Calvin and adhered to by his followers. That’s a discussion for another time. It is sufficient to say here that our church identifies with no man, or theological system created by a man. We adhere strictly to Scripture using the literal / historical / grammatical hermeneutic of interpretation. Our work of interpreting Scripture is greatly aided by the insights of theologians of the past but we do not rest on tradition or personality for our understanding of the Scripture.