Definition: Hyper-Calvinism is precisely what Arminians would believe if Arminians believed in the five points of Calvinism.
That’s it. That’s about as nice a definition as I can think of. OK, maybe not exactly suitable for a dictionary, but check out how well it works:
| 1) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean there would be no real point in preaching the gospel. Bingo: Here you have what is probably the most famous characteristic statement of hyper-Calvinism ever uttered, when Calvinist missionary William Carey was scolded, “Sit down, young man; when God decides to save the heathen, He will do it without your help or mine.” |
| 2) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean God would have no real love of any kind for the non-elect. Yep: Exactly what hyper-Calvinists proclaim. |
| 3) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean God would have no real offer of the Gospel to unbelievers and no real command for them to repent and believe. Check again: Another mark of hyper-Calvinism. |
4) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean you would have to ask yourself if you were one of the elect before you could be saved. We’re on a roll: Hyper-Calvinism, front and central. |
| 5) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean the elect would be saved whether they believed or not. Need I say more? Hyper-Calvinism of the most tragic kind. |
| 6) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean you would not really be responsible for your choices (if we could even speak of people really having choices in the first place, for that matter). Am I starting to repeat myself? Hyper-Calvinism all the way. |
| 7) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean no unsaved person could ever do any morally good thing in any sense whatsoever. One more time: Hyper-Calvinism. |
| 8) | Arminians charge that if the five points of Calvinism were true, that would mean God would get the same kind and degree of pleasure from the judgment of the non-elect as He does from the salvation of the elect. Time to wrap it up: Hyper-Calvinism right down the line. |
Admittedly, most people with hyper-Calvinist tendencies are probably not quite so blatant as to hold all these views, at least not without significant qualification. But beware! They really are out there! So when you meet someone who loudly claims to be a Calvinist, yet exhibits the attitude described by one or more of these points, understand that he is not really what is traditionally called a Calvinist. He is probably . . . yep, you guessed it: an Arminian who believes in the five points of Calvinism.
This page copyright © 2010 Edward A. Morris. Created February 1, 2010. Last updated February 1, 2010.