Why is “faith” omitted as a doctrinal consideration in TULIP (five point) Calvinism?

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The important thing to remember is that each of the items in TULIP was a response to the (Arminian) Remonstrants own five point rejection of Calvinism. Thus the simple reason why faith is omitted is because the Remonstrants weren't critiquing the place of faith, per se, but the place of grace in salvation. Because TULIP is a response to a critique, the debate was framed by the Remonstrants, not the "Calvinists."

Reformed theology has always closely affirmed the "five solas," including sola fide (solely by faith). Faith is assumed an absolutely essential part of Reformed belief. For example, Westminster Confession of Faith 14.1:

The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

As you can see, and this is worked throughout the Westminster Standards, faith is seen as a part of God's grace. However, grace is obviously more than just faith -- it is also God's grace that "the rain falls on the just and the unjust," for example (Mt. 5.45). But, directly to your question regarding TULIP, the issue is simply that neither Calvin nor the later Reformed theologians were the ones to frame the five point debate, they were only responding, and thus the fact that faith isn't in TULIP only speaks to a particular Reformed-"Arminian" controversy and not Reformed belief in general.

Upvote:4

The TULIP from Calvinism is derived from this one principle that is hard to deny if you are a Bible believing Christian:

God has complete sovereignty over all that is.

The logic that Calvinists take after that consideration does not lead them to list faith as a major point, nor does it require them to do so.

The faith of the individual is covered under the I, Irresistible Grace, and slightly under the U, Unconditional Election.

God's grace is irresistible, meaning that you cannot refuse it once it is offered to you. That is your faith, for which you were unconditionally elected to receive, meaning you did not earn it in anyway, which includes whatever you might believe.

To clarify things, here is the chronology of events:

  1. You are unconditionally elected to receive grace.
  2. God pours that grace upon you. It is irresistible and you accept it.
  3. The grace of God works in you and builds faith in you.
  4. You then freely and willingly come to God because of that faith within you.

This site sums the points well.

Upvote:8

The TULIP acronym is intended to define the Calvinist position - however it is not intended to define that position relative to non-Christians, it is intended to define it relative to other Christians. It doesn't include doctrines that are considered basic to Christianity, or Protestantism. So you will find no emphasis on:

  • Necessity of faith;
  • Primacy of Scripture
  • Deity of Jesus
  • The Trinity

among others. All of these would absolutely be considered necessary to be a Calvinist, but would also be believed by the people the Calvinists are looking to distinguish themselves from.

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