May I ask for you to elaborate?
Very often the five point of Calvinism - AKA (informally) TULIP.
I subscribe to the view that we need to distil the essence of each point to that which even children can understand. When we do that - the more untenable points actually make sense.
I teach my children - TULIP in the following way: I begin by pointing out that the essence of Calvinism is "Salvation Belongs to the LORD".
Total Depravity: All have sinned. Sin is not as evil as could be - but enough to distort the image of God such that a Savior is required. I use an illustration of a glass of water that is tainted by one drop of ink. The one drop of ink - totally dilutes into the glass of water but touches every droplet of water - turning the pure glass of water murky. Enough for most not to drink it. The glass does not become total ink - but it totally depraved. Enough such that a Holy God would not accept it.
Unconditional Election: God chooses his people unconditionally. In other words, there is nothing about any human that warrants salvation or mercy. No condition such as wealth, intelligence, race, sex, sexual orientation, age, etc. including creed, is necessary or required for God to choose. It is a situation whereby God saves us not because of something better than someone else but entirely because of his mercy.
Limited Atonement: Some people go to heaven and some people go to Hell. In other words, not everyone goes to heaven; therefore atonement is limited by definition. For older persons - I also point out the difference between assurance of salvation as a doctrine verses the sufficiency of Christ's death as a doctrine. People often quibble about whether Christ's death was sufficient for all - which I think it is. Limited Atonement as a doctrine however is quite a distinct doctrine from sufficiency. Limited Atonement is simply stating - NOT ALL people go to heaven.
Irresistible Grace: Probably the most difficult of all points to get your head around. Essentially, it means that those who are the elect cannot FOREVER resist the Spirit's call to salvation and will turn to God in repentance. It falls in line with "those who are his, know the shepherds voice". I have always likened this point for my children to chocolate. Chocolate for kids is irresistible. What sensible kid is going to reject chocolate? Once a person - sees Jesus for whom he is - cannot but fall in love with him and want to follow him.
Perseverance of the Saints: Sometimes called preservation of the Saints. This is a doctrine which teaches that God will keep his children or elect in his care. It is sometimes mistaken for a "once saved always saved" position. But this is not what the doctrine teaches. It is he who endures to the end who will be saved. This is in accordance with covenantal teaching. It is a call to faithfulness. Yet it is built on the promises of God that he will never leave or forsake his people. It is akin to baptism of infants. The promise is given that those who remain faithful - he will keep. Not a promise to those who are unfaithful - but those who remain faithful - he will keep.
Reformed or Calvinistic or biblical teaching is all about God and his promises to us. This is why I call it covenantal - in essence. It is not about us - but about God. It is the only system of doctrine which truly and faithfully and adequately assists in understanding the difference in the one and the many but also in free will and determinism and that which does not put God or humanity in a bad or unfair light.
