The Arminian TULIP

Calvin's "TULIP":
T - Total Depravity
U - Unconditional Election
L - Limited Atonement
I - Irresistible Grace
P - Perseverance of the Saints

Well, first of all Merry Christmas everyone! I had a thought today that I wanted to share with everyone...something to chew on. As we are constantly defining and redefining our faith, and for those of us who hold to it, Arminianism, there is something that I think is worth considering.

During an online debate one time with a Calvinist who was much more learned than I at the time, he pointed out to me that all of us limit the atonement, and I found myself actually having to agree with him.

Only Universalists actually believe in Unlimited Atonement. We define Unlimited Atonement as being universal in scope, but efficacious only in those with faith. By this, we actually mean that the atonement positionally is universal, but is ACTUALLY limited. It is limited to those who have faith.

With this said, is it possible that, perhaps, we agree with TULIP more than we might want to admit, we just DEFINE what TULIP means differently? Being a Baptist Arminian, I find myself saying that I agree with "T", but disagree with Calvinists on the extent of its effects. I agree with "P", but disagree with Calvinists as to its cause. If I'm being honest, I have to say then that I agree with "L" also, but disagree with Calvinists that the atonement is limited to the "elect," but rather it is limited to those who have faith.

This only leaves one letter, and that is "I". Of course, I believe that grace is resistable, but I'm starting to wonder if I somehow also believe in "I", but simply define it differently as well...? I have to think about that one some...

Seeing that Arminius was Reformed, and well respected by his peers, I wonder if this is not also the way that he saw his own beliefs. I own his complete written works, and have never read where he said this outright, but I wonder if this is the thought in the back of his mind.

This is an inner conflict of some sort with me, as I wonder if we also believe in the concepts of TULIP, but just define them differently.