T.U.L.I.P. on Tuesday not only has a nice alliteration but John Calvin, the person responsible for T.U.L.I.P., was born on Tuesday, July 10, 1509. If you are a Calvinist, Presbyterian, or know your theology, you will be familiar with T.U.L.I.P. also known as The Canons of Dort: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. The Canons of Dort were a rejection of the Arminian views and set forth the Reformed doctrine at the conclusion of the Synod of Dort that started on Tuesday, November 13, 1618, and ended on Wednesday, May 29, 1619. I’m going to assume T.U.L.I.P. was finalized on the 179th meeting, Tuesday, May 28, 1619, before the final meeting on the 29th to keep my Tuesdays’ associations with T.U.L.I.P.

Below are five short songs† I wrote and recorded one for each letter in T.U.L.I.P. Why you ask? I’ve been brushing up on my studies of the history of Christian theology, and I was inspired to write the songs after going through the section on Calvin and Reformed doctrine.

Total Depravity

Sitting shivering
In the heat of night
Sliced by rays
In the dark of light

Soul lies frayed
So depraved

Every thought a mortal
Every action a mortal
Every thought and action
A mortal Sin!

Unconditional Election

Some are elected
Others left in sin
Punished and damned
For their many transgressions
They can never win

Those few saved by grace
Unconditional love
Receive salvation
They are the few
Elected from above

All others
All the others
All the others get
All the others get damnation

Limited Atonement

Limited Atonement
Didn’t die for all
Elected are saved
Reprobates fall

No prevenient grace
Jeopardy double
Only the elect
Will make it through
Without any trouble

Redemption certain or
Redemption none
It’s predestination
Foreknown by

The One

Irresistible Grace

Irresistible Grace
Efficacy calls
Only some
But not all

For salvation

It could be me
It could be you
It may be neither
Grace for the few

Is Irresistible

Perseverance of the Saints

One saved always saved
No more death by
Trespasses and sins
Security of sanctification

Condition is secure
Eternal justification
Salvation for the
Saints persevere

 

†All songs are written, performed, recorded, and copyrighted by Timothy Price.