Podcast Summary: "Why TULIP Is Not Enough"

Podcast: Know What You Believe with Michael Horton
Host: Michael Horton
Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Michael Horton challenges the tendency to reduce Calvinism and the Reformed faith to the five points popularly summarized by the TULIP acronym. He traces the historical origins and theological nuances of Reformed confessions, critiques the limitations of TULIP, and calls listeners to a deeper appreciation of the richness, beauty, and breadth of Reformed theology—especially as it concerns creation, glorification, and the ultimate hope of the Gospel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem with TULIP as a Summary (00:43)

• Reductionism of TULIP:
  Horton notes how TULIP (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints) oversimplifies the breadth of the Reformed tradition.

  • “First of all, it's reductionistic. The Reformed confession is more beautiful, it's fuller, it's richer than that. Not saying these doctrines are unimportant... but there's a lot more there.” (00:49)

• Origin of the Term "Calvinism":
  He points out “Calvinism” was not a self-chosen label, but one given by others.

  • “Just as Luther's followers preferred to be called evangelicals but were labeled Lutherans by Rome... Lutherans coined the term Calvinist…” (01:18)

• Origins and Limitations of TULIP:
  The acronym arose in 20th-century America and was initially a response to Arminian criticisms, not a comprehensive summary of Reformed thought.

  • “The clever Tulip acronym is used as shorthand for Calvinism and the entire Reformed tradition. ...Its aptness can be questioned.” (01:47)

2. Historical and Theological Context (02:28)

• Predestination’s Role:
  Predestination is important, but not the “central dogma” from which all other Reformed doctrines flow.

  • “Contrary to popular misconception, Calvin didn’t in fact differ from the average Augustinian theologian, either in the substance or the importance of his doctrine of predestination.” (02:55)
  • “It wasn’t a central dogma from which all other doctrines were developed.” (03:27)

• Response to Arminianism:
  The Five Points of Calvinism (as outlined at the Synod of Dort) developed as a response to the Arminian “Remonstrance,” not as a summary of the entire faith.

  • “Even what we know as the Five Points of Calvinism emerged as a response to internal challenges.” (04:02)

• International Nature of Dordt:
  The Synod was not merely Dutch—it included delegates from across Europe.

  • “Representatives from the Church of England, the Church of Scotland... Hungary, Poland, Switzerland and elsewhere.” (04:38)

3. The Breadth and Beauty of Reformed Confessions (05:10)

• Beyond Five Points:
  Horton urges engaging Reformed confessions themselves, rather than relying on summary devices like TULIP.

  • “It's always better to read a confession than to reduce it to a clever device.” (05:20)

• Scriptural Depth:
  The Canons of Dort use abundant scriptural argumentation.

  • “An abundant appeal to specific scriptural passages, not just proof texting, but demonstrating how dependent the argument itself is upon the passages selected.” (05:28)

4. The Major Omissions of TULIP (06:01)

• Missing Creation and Glorification:
  By starting with “Total Depravity” and ending with “Perseverance of the Saints,” TULIP omits the doctrines of creation in the image of God and the final hope of glorification.

  • “How can you leave out creation in the image of God before you talk about the Fall? ...If you leave glorification out, what's the hope for restoration?” (06:16)
  • “Do we just hope for perseverance? We'll just persevere. To what?... But it's completely absent from TULIP.” (06:32)

• Historical Emphasis on Glorification:
  The Church Fathers and Reformers frequently extolled glorification—a hope that is central but neglected in popular summaries.

  • “A rich vein of Christocentric mysticism runs from Irenaeus... to Luther, Calvin and the other reformers... made glorification a staple of tomes and sermons…” (06:41)

5. Beauty, Goodness, and Glorification (07:19)

• Quoting C.S. Lewis:
  Horton references Lewis’ longing to be united with beauty, tying it to the Christian hope of glorification.

  • “We do not merely want to see beauty... We want something else which can hardly be put into words, to be united with the beauty we see...” (07:37, quoting C.S. Lewis)

• Glorification in Paul’s Gospel Summary:
  Horton highlights 2 Timothy as a summary that integrates election, calling, incarnation, perseverance, and especially glorification.

  • “Maybe my favorite Pauline summary of the Gospel is in the Second Letter to Timothy.... ‘...who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.’” (08:30)

• Glorification as Essential:
  Our confession must include the hope of becoming truly alive in Christ.

  • “In justification we are given... the beauty of Christ as our righteousness. In sanctification, the Spirit begins to conform us... But in glorification we will be made inwardly and outwardly, the most beautiful creatures in the universe. Whatever our confession is, that has to be in it.” (09:30)

• The Power of Beauty in the Gospel:
  He calls for a presentation of the Gospel that is so alluring and beautiful that people might wish it to be true, even if they doubt it.

  • “If truth is not good and beautiful, it can't lure us from all the idols around us.” (09:48)
  • “We must present the gospel in such a way that even if somebody's not persuaded of its truth, they might wish that it were true.” (09:52)

• Irenaeus’ Striking Words:
  Horton closes the main discussion by quoting Irenaeus:

  • “…the glory of God is man fully alive, but the life of man. Man is the vision of God.” (10:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On TULIP’s Shortcomings:
  “It's hard to find a good flower for a more accurate acronym. Maybe we could stay away from the flowers for a while.” (02:00)

• On Confessional Depth:
  “These five Points do not summarize the whole teaching of Reformed theology, but they certainly are essentials to its faith and practice. But Tulip also can miss the beauty in the Reformed Confessions. That's why the TULIP acronym can't be used as a summary of the whole Reformed confession.” (05:41)

• On Glorification:
  “Not a dreary afterlife of disembodied souls playing harps for eternity, but man fully alive. Now that's beautiful. And that's part of what it means to be confessional.” (10:09)

Key Timestamps

• 00:43: Horton introduces his concerns about TULIP and the reduction of Calvinism.
• 02:28: Discussion of predestination’s role and Calvin’s actual theology.
• 04:02: The Five Points as a historical response to Arminianism.
• 05:10: The value of reading confessions rather than relying on summary devices.
• 06:01: Critique of TULIP's omissions—especially creation and glorification.
• 07:37: Quoting C.S. Lewis on beauty and longing.
• 08:30: Paul's summary of the Gospel in 2 Timothy.
• 09:30: Explanation of glorification as the fulfillment of Christian hope.
• 10:00: Irenaeus’ quote—“the glory of God is man fully alive.”

Tone and Style

Horton speaks warmly, thoughtfully, and with theological precision, often drawing on church history, literature, and Scripture to invite listeners into a fuller and more beautiful understanding of the faith than mere slogans or acronyms can provide.

Conclusion

Michael Horton’s episode is both a critique of reductive summaries like TULIP and an invitation to relish the beauty, complexity, and hope that characterize Reformed theology. He champions a richer, Christ-centered confessionalism—one that calls the church and its members to marvel at the story of redemption, from creation to glorification.