The Forgotten Five Points of Calvinism as Stated by John Calvin

Many Christians are familiar with the famous “Five Points of Calvinism” (TULIP), but few are aware of these other significant positions that John Calvin himself held and taught. The following quotes are taken directly from Calvin’s own writings.

1. Amillennialism

Calvin rejected the literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth:

“But a little later there followed the Chiliasts, who limited the reign of Christ to a 1000 years. Now their fiction is too childish either to need or to be worth a refutation. And the Apocalypse, from which they undoubtedly drew a pretext for their error, does not support them. For the number 1000 does not apply to the eternal blessedness of the church but only to the various disturbances that awaited the church, while still toiling on the earth.”

2. Religious Persecution

Calvin advocated for the execution of those he considered heretics:

“Servetus lately wrote to me, and coupled with his letter a long volume of his delirious fancies, with the Thrasonic boast, that I should see something astonishing and unheard of. He takes it upon him to come hither, if it be agreeable to me. But I am unwilling to pledge my word for his safety, for if he shall come, I shall never permit him to depart alive, provided my authority be of any avail.”

Note: Michael Servetus was indeed executed by burning in Geneva in 1553, with Calvin’s approval.

3. Predestination to Hell

Calvin taught that God predestines certain individuals to eternal damnation:

“We call predestination God’s eternal decree, by which he compacted with himself what he willed to become of each man. For all are not created in equal condition; rather, eternal life is foreordained for some, eternal damnation for others. Therefore, as any man has been created to one or the other of these ends, we speak of him as predestinated to life or death.”

4. Infant Baptism

Calvin taught that infants should be baptized:

“Now, if we choose to investigate whether it is right to administer baptism to infants, shall we not say that a man is talking nonsense or indeed raving who would halt with the mere element of water and outward observance, but cannot bear to turn his mind to the spiritual mystery? If any account of this is made, it will be evident that baptism is properly administered to infants as something owed to them.”

5. Sacraments

Calvin taught that the sacraments have a similar function to the Word of God in offering Christ and His grace:

“Therefore, let it be regarded as a settled principle that the sacraments have the same office as the Word of God; to offer and set forth Christ to us, and in him the treasures of heavenly grace.”

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Submitted by Jeffrey D. Nachimson