In this first part of a two-part series on "Hard Topics: Election and Free Will," Alexis addresses the theological concepts of election and free will in salvation. She explains that while all Christians believe God is sovereign, they disagree on how His sovereignty works with human responsibility. Roper introduces Calvinism and its TULIP framework (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints), which emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation. She acknowledges the tensions and weaknesses in this theological position, promising to address the free will perspective in the following week. Throughout the interactive message, she encourages students to wrestle with these concepts while maintaining unity on essential Christian beliefs.