Having given in the last post an introduction and what I see as the issue, let’s get specific.
It is quite true that archetypal hyper-Calvinism first appeared among the early English Strict and Particular Baptists. It can be seen, for example, in the teachings of men like Joseph Hussey (d. 1726), Lewis Wayman (d. 1764), John Brine (d. 1765), and to some extent in John Gill (d. 1771).^7 However, the theological extreme held by these men, properly denoted as hyper-Calvinism and properly denoted as error, is rather distinct and certainly deserves a more explicit definition than merely an “over-emphasis of irresistible grace which undermines evangelism.” And it certainly deserves to be defined in a way that does not confuse it with legitimate 5-point Calvinism. David Engelsma does just that in the following.
Hyper-Calvinism is the denial that God in the preaching of the gospel calls everyone who hears the preaching to repent and believe. It is the denial that the church should call everyone in the preaching. It is the denial that the unregenerated have a duty to repent and believe. It manifests itself in the practice of the preacher’s addressing the call of the gospel, “repent and believe on Christ crucified,” only to those in his audience who show signs of regeneration and, thereby, of election, namely, some conviction of sin and some interest in salvation.^8
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Categories: Hyper-Calvinism · Theology
Hyper-Calvinism is a term of derision that today is often used to negatively label anyone with a strong theological view of God’s sovereignty in the affairs of men. A legitimate understanding of hyper-Calvinism, in its technical sense, appears to be lost today. It seems as if anyone to the right of one’s own theological position is fair game to be labeled a hyper-Calvinist. For example, Arminians regard any who hold to unconditional election as hyper-Calvinists. The four-point Calvinist views the five-point Calvinist as “hyper” because he holds to a limited atonement. We also find five-point infralapsarians referring to five-point supralapsarians as hyper-Calvinists because of their view of the relationship between the fall of man and God’s predestination of the elect.^1
There is indeed such a thing as hyper-Calvinism; but it may be shown both historically and theologically that it is not unconditional election, limited atonement, or supralapsarianism that make a hyper-Calvinist. All of these characteristics fall solidly within orthodox historic Calvinism. The disagreements and discussions regarding these particular theological points are not to be confused with the issue of “hyper-Calvinism.” To label one who holds any or all of these views as a hyper-Calvinist is to display a serious case of theological and historical ignorance. (more…)
Categories: Hyper-Calvinism · Theology
