The integrated TULIP – by Bob Burridge ©2020, ©2026 arranged for group study
In the early 17th Century the followers of Jacob Arminius were promoting an unbiblical view of God and humanity.a Synod met in Dordrect in the Netherlands from 1618 to 1619. Their goal was to answer five challenges from the Arminians. They compared each of these teachings with the direct statements in God’s written word. The Synod adopted a document referred to as “The Canons of Dort”. Under five heads of doctrine they exposed the errors, and cited the biblical evidences supporting their answers.
The five chapters were published in the following order under the headings as follows:
1. Unconditional Election
2. Limited Atonement
3. Total Depravity
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints
The order was later changed. The first letters of each topic spelled the word TULIP, a flower that was well known. The headings are arranged in this order:
1. Total Depravty (sometimes called Total Inability)
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints
The order adjustment wasn’t because of a doctrinal difference. It was considered best to start by stating the problem (Total Depravity), then go on to show how the problem’s solved by God’s plan.
We can integrate the interwoven petals of the TULIP:
1. Total Depravity (Total Inability)
Our moral nature is completely corrupted because of our representation in Adam when he fell into sin.
Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned– ”
1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
This fallen nature makes us self-centered instead of God-centered until God changes us.
In that lost condition we’re unable to do anything truly good in the eyes of God.
We’re unable to come to the Savior in sincere repentance, with full trust in his work as our only hope of salvation.
2. Unconditional Election
There are no pre-conditions we are capable of satisfying for restoration to fellowship with our Creator.
Romans 9:11, “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad–in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls.”
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
We’re only made able to come to Christ in this way by the work of God’s saving grace. Therefore, our election to eternal life must be unconditional.
3. Limited Atonement
God knows all things and doesn’t change. Christ’s atonement was eternally limited in it’s intent. Those who come to Christ in true faith are those Jesus eternally chose to save by his work on the cross.
Ephesians 1:4-5, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will”
Acts 2:23 “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
4. Irresistible Grace
Since God is all powerful, he will certainly succeed in bringing to himself all those chosen eternally. There can be no power in all the universe or in the heart of any human that can resist his saving grace.
1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Hymn writer John Newton called it “Amazing Grace!” He wrote in the song by that title saying, ” ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear – the hour I first believed!”
5. Preservation of the Saints
Since God is eternally all knowing and all powerful, he will keep those he has always intends to redeem. He will preserve them as his own children forever.
John 6:37, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
Romans 8:30 “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
These 5 points of the TULIP are all integrated into one amazing eternal plan of God.
God created Adam to represent all humans who would descend from him. In our lost condition our only hope is in God as our Savior fulflling his eternal plan. Jesus represented those he chose eternally. God’s plan never fails. If our salvation was our own choice God would not be sovereign. We creatures would be. Our Creator’s plan can’t be modified by the independent choices of his creatures.
To put it all together: the 5 TULIP headings summarize our hope of God’s plan for our Salvation.
– Since our depravity is total, no one has any hope of eternal life aside from God’s work for them and in them.
– If our election was not unconditional, everyone would be lost since no fallen person is able to meet God’s conditions on his own.
– If atonement wasn’t limited, then (since some die in unbelief) God will have failed to redeem all those for whom he died.
– If God’s grace was resistible, then we are able to overcome and frustrate what God desires and he would not be all powerful.
– If God doesn’t preserve each chosen one, their falling away would deny God’s ability to accomplish all he desires concerning their salvation.
God is the enablement behind our repentance and faith in the work of our Savior. To God be all the glory!
For a full study of each of these 5 points of TULIP see
“Five Challenging Bible Facts”