The Foundation Of Calvinism

It has been said on here many times that John Calvin coined the acronym T. U. L. I. P and that is true but the points of TULIP are biblical doctrine... So I asked myself what separates those of the Calvinist brethren from the Freewill brethren?... Those of the Calvinist brethren were not always of the Calvinist mindset, they were also of the Freewill brethren and I'm sure if you asked them they would tell you so... Where is the dividing point that separates the two?... You know with the Freewill brethren because their name tells their doctrine... Freewill/Free choice!
So then what is the foundation of Calvinism?... The foundation of Calvinism is Total Depravity... Without this biblical doctrine all the other points of doctrine fall like dominoes... There is no Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace or Preservation of Saints... In your Total Depravity Jesus Christ saved you Ephesians 2:5 says so: Saved by Grace!
2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved

To further emphasis the point of your Total Depravity, Ephesians 2:8 states once again:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It was not your Faith that saved you but the Faith of the Son Of God who loved you and gave himself for you... The gift of God... Hebrews 12:2 He was the author and finisher of our Faith... And brethren according to our Total Depravity he tread the winepress alone... Once the dead alien sinner is face to face with his condition, only then does he see the full sovereign grace of God... As the following indicates... Your comments are highly appreciated... Brother Glen

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved

2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Thanks for clearing that up but that doesn't change the intent of the post... Brother Glen