Original Research

A Pentecostal response to the five doctrines of grace in Calvinism

Mookgo S. Kgatle
African Journal of Pentecostal Studies | Vol 3, No 1 | a121 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajops.v3i1.121 | © 2026 Mookgo S. Kgatle | This work is licensed under Other
Submitted: 29 November 2025 | Published: 20 July 2026

About the author(s)

Mookgo S. Kgatle, Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Calvinism is known for its five doctrines of grace, embraced within Reformed Christianity, and has previously been conceptualised and theorised within the theology of grace. This doctrine requires a Pentecostal response that is necessary in developing a Pentecostal theology of grace in an era where Pentecostalism is expanding.
Objectives: The five doctrines can be summarised as: (1) total depravity, (2) unconditional election, (3) limited atonement, (4) irresistible grace, and (5) the perseverance of the saints.
Methods: This article is a Pentecostal response to these five doctrines of grace in the development of a Pentecostal theology of grace.
Results: In other words, the article examines how Pentecostals relate to each of the doctrines as a means of defining a theology of grace within the Pentecostal tradition. To achieve this, a historical overview of Calvinism was given as part of the background to the five doctrines of grace.
Conclusion: The five doctrines were outlined, and each was explained through a review of Calvin’s works and contemporary literature, offering a Pentecostal response. The primary objective of the article is to develop a Pentecostal theology of grace that applies to the Pentecostal tradition.
Contribution: This article makes a valuable contribution to the theology of grace by proposing a Pentecostal response to the five doctrines of grace in Calvinism. The article proposes a Pentecostal theology of grace that recognizes human agency in the plan of salvation.


Keywords

Pentecostal theology; Calvinism; reformation; theology of grace; atonement; perseverance; election; depravity

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

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