According to Reformed theology, God's grace is irresistible.
It’s 9:55 a.m. in the RSC room 154. Prof. Kinsinger has been talking about tulips for the past half hour. I know this little Dutch community takes pride in their tulips each spring, you think to yourself as you doodle in your notebook, but what does this have to do with God?
Northwestern’s identity is grounded in the Reformed tradition after being founded by the Reformed Church of America (RCA) in 1882. Yet only 35% of NW students actually come from a Reformed background. There’s no need to feel singled out or left behind, though. It’s not only easy to understand the basics of the Reformed tradition but it’s also relatively simple to dive right in. Centered on God and devoted to Christ Jesus, those who follow the Reformed tradition are welcoming and eager to share the Good News.
But now you’re even asking me, “What do tulips have to do with anything?” Fortunately for us, TULIP as an acronym is used to describe the five points of Calvinism that the Reformed theology adheres to. The first is total depravity which represents the understanding that all humans are completely affected by sin. We’re a fallen people and unable to choose God by our own will. As such, God grants that we believe, enables us to believe, and predestines those who will call on His Name.
The second point is unconditional election. God does not look at the individual when picking and choosing who will be given the status of the elect. As written in Ephesians, “In love [God] predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.”
With that being said, however, the third point is limited atonement. The Reformed tradition upholds the idea that Jesus died only for those God predestined – only the elect. It’s understood that although His sacrifice is sufficient enough for everyone, it’s only effective for – able to save and bring eternal life to – those who have been predestined by God for eternal life with Him.
Following limited atonement is irresistible grace. According to this tradition, predestination not only means that God chooses the elect but also that the elect are unable to refuse it. It’s God’s goodness that leads men toward repentance when the Holy Spirit has worked in the hearts and minds of the elect. His grace is enough for us, and irresistibly so.
The fifth point of Calvinism is that of the perserverance of the Saints. Because the election is done according to the Father’s will, because the Son has redeemed, and because the Holy Spirit has worked in and through the elect, they cannot lose their salvation. Thus, they have eternal security to become saints of God.
As a Reformed body, NW believes that the three attributes of God are omnipotence (He has the power to do anything He desires), omnipresence (He is in all places at all times) and omniscience (He knows all things). Another vastly important argument NW upholds is that of justification. This is God’s act of making a sinner righteous before Him. Prof. Kinsinger helps his students remember it by saying, “Justification is ‘just as if I had not sinned.’”
Besides this and the points of TULIP, “the Reformed tradition emphasizes Christian education and the Protestant work ethic, which is a Dutch thing too,” Senior Marji Mulder pointed out. “Work hard and you will be rewarded. It’s not that our work will bring us salvation, but rather we work as a praise offering to God.”
Redemption, works and grace are three founding covenants that structure the way Northwestern works. Does that mean “Reformed is the only way to go?” Certainly not. NW lives and works “Soli Deo Gloria” – glory to God alone. As long as He’s getting glory, all shall be happy.
