Hyper-Calvinism

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by Mike Ratliff

Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11 ESV)

At a former church in Oklahoma in 1997 I donated a great deal of my free time to rewire the office areas for network access, configured the networking gear they had and helped them get their peer-to-peer network operational. Not long after that, the church staff had the pastor’s secretary call me to come up to the church after work, which I did. When I got there, they presented me with a gift in gratitude. It was a John MacArthur Study Bible, which had just been released on the market. I still have it. One Sunday not long after this, I was talking with some fellow deacons in between services. One noticed my new Bible and told me that John MacArthur was a Hyper-Calvinist. That was actually the first time I had ever heard that term so I was not sure what he meant. I was not even sure what Calvinism was. I had never heard of the term Arminianism either.

A lot has changed since then. When I began studying doctrine as part of my research for a book I as preparing to write I kept running into the vestiges of some very intense debates between Arminians and Calvinists. I studied them both and discovered that my own theology (such as it was) was simply a mishmash of both systems. I think this is the state of most Southern Baptists since doctrine is so lightly taught and, therefore, not understood well across the majority of the churches in that denomination. Over several months of study, prayer, and repentance, I came to the place where I became a five-point Calvinist. It was tough. When I began blogging and participating in “discussions” across the Internet about these things, I experienced my first taste of ridicule, accusation, and outright hostility because I was a Calvinist. The term Hyper-Calvinist was used a great deal against all Reformed believers in those discussions.

I did more research and found excellent resources at Monergism.com, A Puritans Mind, and many others that had scholarly articles that laid out the differences between Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism, Arminianism, Calvinism, and Hyper-Calvinism. Hyper-Calvinism interested me quite a bit because of the accusations. It was as I studied it that I saw clearly that it was not genuine Calvinism at all and, in fact, was the culprit behind the ending of the Great Awakening in the mid-18th Century. Follow this link to a fine article that clearly lays out what Hyper-Calvinism really is. I found this one a couple of years ago, but had forgot about it. Then some good friends sent me the link today just as I was seeking the Lord’s will for tonight’s article. Thanks Paul and Luann!

It was also through this study that I saw that true Calvinism is highly evangelical. No one would argue that Charles Spurgeon was a Hyper-Calvinist since he was called the “Prince of Preachers” and preached the gospel fervently until his death. However, He was a 5-point Calvinist as was John Broadus and Asahel Nettlton. John MacArthur is no Hyper-Calvinist either.

What each of us should do who are Calvinists is examine ourselves to see if we are leaning too far towards the hyper side of Reformed theology. We must never forget that God created a system of salvation based on His Sovereignty while Man is still responsible to repent and believe. We are under orders to make disciples from all nations. We elect no one. That is God’s purview not ours. Just as we deny that people are saved through “decisional regeneration” we also deny that people are saved through “doctrinal regeneration.”

I am amazed when I run across a person who is just as I was before 2004 when God changed everything. Their spiritual immaturity is amazingly blind. This makes them vulnerable to all sorts of bad theology and wrong focus as those who know how to manipulate people do so within them with a vengeance. Their devotion to their local church or denomination is idolatrous and their pride in belonging to their “group” who believes just like them is the evidence of that blindness. I am speaking from my own experience here my brethren. I remember very well what I was like back then. I also remember very well as I was awakened from that spiritual slumber how many who I thought were my friends became quite vicious with me, calling me a Hyper-Calvinist, as I told them the truth. What struck me about that though was that they had no basis for their wrath. They could not give me a concrete reason for their resistance let alone any scripture to back up why they hated Reformed Theology so. The reason is, of course, that they were ensnared by the idol of Free Will. It keeps its victims in ignorance because any serious study of God’s Word reveals the fallacy of it. It is very similar to the idol of Hyper-Calvinism, however; in its case, the blinding mechanism is doctrinal pride rather then ignorance.

My brethren, as I stated above, we should examine ourselves and repent of what God shows us. Let us forsake doctrinal pride of any type. We are nothing nor can we do anything good outside of God’s grace as we abide in Christ (John 15).

Soli Deo Gloria!

18 thoughts on “Hyper-Calvinism”

  1. Pingback: Hyper-Calvinism - Reformata

  2. Great post Mike! 🙂 Sometimes we find ourselves leaning to far one way or another way in being 5 pointers. Not meaning to, but its easy to do! May we always examine ourselves and keep the 5 points straight and not drift into some form of hyper-calvinism. Phils article with the list of ‘leaning to far’ was and is a big help. We have been ‘calvinists’ for 8 almost 9 years now and it suprised me how many other calvinist who are 5 pointers, can every now and then throw in some ‘hyper’, and we will tend to agree. Its sneeks in gradually. Its a slow poison. All we want to do is to totally be in His will and be pleasing to Him. Anything extreme is not good huh??

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  3. Yes, Amen Paul and Luann. I catch that in myself at times as well. That is why it is such a good idea to review articles like Phil’s from time to time. Reading Spurgeon’s sermons will do that as well. 🙂

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  4. One of the problems I find among Calvinist and Arminians, is both can have too low a view of the Doctrine Of Regeneration. In other words, looking at man, in his condition, bound to his nature before the work of God, and that same man after God does that work. If the Holy Spirit is working behind the gospel message, then that message should never be changed, and always be preached. Like Spurgeon said, if the “elect” had yellow strips painted on their backs, his job would be lifting up shirts to check who the “elect” are… It’s impossible for a true Christian, to not produce fruit, that fruit isn’t work it happens because the “nature” and heart of that man has been supernaturally changed by God. I truly feel that a Calvinist, done right, has the greatest “gratitude” for what God has done for him in on the Cross in Jesus Christ, and what springs out of that is a great desire along with a new heart & nature for service for his new Master. IE preaching, missions, and having the privilege, of being a part of the Great Commission!

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  5. Thanks for this post! I was raised in the Baptist faith — an independent Baptist church in the south. It definitely wasn’t reformed theology. My first experience in a reformed church was in one leaning toward hyper-Calvinism. It left a really bad taste in my mouth until I found that spurgeon.org link a year and a half ago. It made a huge difference.

    I’m still in process. I’d say that I’m leaning heavily toward reformed, but having a little difficulty with some of it. I’ll have to dive into more of your links. Thanks for the springboard! I desperately want to understand this doctrine.

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  6. Did you ever walk on a balancing beam as a kid? The problem with a balancing beam is that is you can’t lean left or right. If you do, you fall off. Right doctrine is much the same way. If you focus on the end of the board and walk you have a good chance of going all the way. Some times we stop to see how we are doing and get a little wobbly. If you fall it is only about 6″ to the ground. And there is good news, God helps us along the way. If we start to lean He steadies us. Even if we fall on our faces he picks us up. But the key is looking at the end of the beam. That is where you are headed. This continual focusing on the prize, helps us make minor adjustments all along the way. That is my aim, and I’m glad I am not going it alone.
    Wonderful post Mike

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  8. Hang in there Jen. I know exactly what you are talking about, having been right where you are. Keep you eyes on the prize and do not let anyone distract you from that with dogma. We walk by faith not by sight. You are on the right track my sister.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

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  10. Amen Mike, thanks for the message, good providence as always.

    That´s something I also need to remember, specially that mercy that God still loves with compassion the heathen, and that He does comands me to do the same, in His Word..

    Blessings to all in Christ
    Joao

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  11. Hi Mike,

    I can relate to your journey quite a bit but I ended up different. I think Phil Johnson misrepresents hyper-calvinism quite a bit. Here are a couple of articles that I think you will be interested in. The second one is a rebutal to Johnson’s Article.

    http://www.pristinegrace.org/media.php?id=400

    http://www.predestinarian.net/library/showentry.php?e=4

    By the way many people call me a hyper-calvinist. While I don’t think the term is accurate since it contains a lot of baggage it is what I am. I deny the “free offer” of the gospel. I deny “duty faith”. I believe in Justification from eternity. These alone are enough to make me a hyper-calvinist. However I do preach the gospel to all people because I do not know who is elect or not. While there are some hyper-calvinist that don’t share the gospel they don’t represent all of those who are called hypers. Read the two articles I linked to.

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  13. Another amen from Australia. Thank you Mike for taking the time to write/include these articles on your blog- the more I study and research – the easier I am finding it to under stand terminologies/historical christianity etc. And Jen, like you, I am still in the process also (being an escapee from pentecostal experiential christianity!)
    It’s these discussions where we see men and women in Christ, sharing their journey (and ongoing maturity in Christ), that shows God’s Word, and His love, in action.
    So brothers and sisters in Christ – thank you!

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  14. I’ve only been web active for about three years now, on any regular basis. One thing I found fascinating when I started making my way around the blog world was to find out that apparently, all Calvinists are harsh and unloving. I had never known all that many people personally who held to the doctrine, and only a couple of them seemed remotely close to unloving. But I really think that was just their personalities.

    I started really reading the blogs of those who held to Calvinism, and still can’t understand where in the world people get that idea. Most of those who hold to the doctrines of grace that I’ve ‘met’ online are certainly worthy of emulating.

    And so my education continues…
    🙂

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  16. Jen ,

    I know what you are talking about. When I first began my journey into becoming reformed I came across men such John Hendryx at Monergism.com and Dr. Riddlebarger at the Riddleblog and Dr. McMahon at A Puritan’s Mind. Them plus all of those others giving me direction were warm and gentle and full of information. Isn’t that what Christians are supposed to be like in imitating their Saviour? Yes, of course, I pray that God will continue to lead you into His truth.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

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  17. Hi Mike,

    Did you ever get a chance to read the two articles I linked to? I would be interested in your thoughts on them. I also didn’t mention that I’m a missonary in India. Think about that! Most people would call me a hyper-calvinist but I’m spending my time sharing the gospel to everyone I meet half way across the world, mainly in remote villages. That’s a conundrum, isn’t it. My view is that there are elect from all tongues, tribes and nations. I personally don’t know who the elect are and Christ commands us to make disciples of all nations through sharing the Gospel. I guess where I’d be different is that I don’t pressure people into “accepting Christ” or “making a decision” or praying the “sinner’s prayer”. I share the gospel message as clearly as I can and then ask what people think about it. If the accept the message great. If they reject it, that’s great too. I personally can’t save anyone, I’m just a messenger not a savior. It is my belief, that when the elect of God hear the Gospel message they will respond to it. If someone responds then I begin the process of making a disciple through teaching on the scriputures. Take Acts 13 for a good example. Notice how Paul and Barnabas share the gospel and their response when some people reject it. Then it says this in Act 13:48 “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” What a good example!

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  18. Pingback: A Sharing: Hyper-Calvinism « Diary of a Broken Vessel

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