hyper-Calvinism
Sign in to saveAlso known as False Calvinism, High Calvinism
Hyper-Calvinism is an offshoot of Protestant theology that places a strong emphasis on God's sovereignty at the expense of human responsibility. It is at times regarded as a variation of Calvinism, but critics emphasize its differences from traditional Calvinistic beliefs. Hyper-Calvinism distinguishes itself from traditional Calvinism when it comes to the "sufficiency and efficiency" of Christ's atonement. Predestination in Calvinism traditionally argues that only the elect are able to understand Christ's atonement, but that the sufficiency of the atonement stretches to all humanity, while Hy
~24 min read
Article
20 sectionsContents
- Definitions
- Historic definitions of the term
- Modern definitions of the term
- Adherents
- Differences from orthodox Calvinism
- Hyper-Calvinism doctrine
- The Gospel Standard Articles of Faith and statements by ministers
- Orthodox Calvinistic doctrine
- John Calvin
- Confessions and catechisms
- Opposition to the doctrine
- Biblical references used in favor of orthodox Calvinism
- Biblical references used in favor of the concept of duty-faith
- Support for the doctrine
- Biblical references used to support the position of gospel invitations going to certain persons only
- Biblical references used against duty-faith
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Hyper-Calvinism is an offshoot of Protestant theology that places a strong emphasis on God's sovereignty at the expense of human responsibility. It is at times regarded as a variation of Calvinism, but critics emphasize its differences from traditional Calvinistic beliefs. Hyper-Calvinism distinguishes itself from traditional Calvinism when it comes to the "sufficiency and efficiency" of Christ's atonement. Predestination in Calvinism traditionally argues that only the elect are able to understand Christ's atonement, but that the sufficiency of the atonement stretches to all humanity, while Hyper-Calvinism argues the atonement is sufficient only to the elect.
The term originated in the 19th century as a sometimes-pejorative descriptor predated by terms such as "false Calvinism" and "High Calvinism". The term can be used vaguely, and its distinction from traditional Calvinism is not always clear; writers such as Jim Ellis have suggested that Hyper-Calvinism as a concept is sometimes applied broadly to denominations more theologically conservative than the speaker's, rather than to a consistent theological stance. Nonetheless, Hyper-Calvinism is distinguished as a distinct theological viewpoint, associated with figures such as the 18th-century theologian John Gill.