00.3 - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The doctrinal heresy of Hyper-Calvinism has been in existence for over four hundred years. Because of the ever-increasing influence of Hyper-Calvinism, it is essential that Christians be well informed concerning this false doctrine and not be led astray. As the day of the Lord’s return nears, churches are increasingly bombarded with doctrinal impurity and Satan endlessly attempts to destroy the vineyard of the Lord. Satan knows that time is short and will use any means at his disposal to thwart the efforts of the Church to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and win souls for His glory. The heresy of Hyper-Calvinism was once a doctrine that remained lodged in the more liberal Protestant denominations but now has permeated the ranks of the fundamental, Bible believing churches of our time. Hyper-Calvinists takes a few verses of Scripture out of context and twist them to conform to their doctrine. With the recent upsurge of Calvinism, a number of leading Calvinists have begun to take a far more aggressive stance in its public promotion. Both sides, in fact, are increasingly making this issue a matter of fellowship in the Lord, resulting in a division in a number of otherwise sound churches. In some churches, Calvinism is looked upon as a cult and members are forbidden to promote it even privately. In others only Calvinists are accepted as members. Of course this has been true of pastors and mission candidates for centuries in nearly all Presbyterian churches and even in some Baptist churches - but now that position seems to be growing.¹

Proper Bible study is taking a Scripture verses in its context to find the true meaning of the verse. Very rarely will you find an individual who becomes a Hyper-Calvinist through actual Bible study. The vast majority of Hyper-Calvinists are simple followers of man and not students of the Bible. Many missionaries, evangelists, and pastors hold to the teaching of Hyper-Calvinism today and it has become an area of contention among fundamental men and churches. Men such as C. H. Spurgeon are quoted often without a disclaimer regardless of their doctrinal position. David Hunt, in his book entitled What Love Is This?, quoted Spurgeon as saying,

“I do not ask whether you believe Calvinism. It is possible you may not. But I believe you will before you enter heaven. I am persuaded that as God may have washed your hearts, He will wash your brains before you enter heaven.”²

    There are many men, well known and highly respected, who have been caught up in this erroneous theology because of following others and a simple lack of Bible study. Men of God must be students of His Word and not just marionettes in the hands of theological writers. Their motto must be: “I will not follow man unless man follows God.” Many preachers have been duped into thinking that the only two choices available are Hyper-Calvinism or Arminianism. Since the doctrine of Hyper-Calvinism teaches “eternal security” and Arminianism “falling from grace,” the logical choice must therefore be Hyper-Calvinism. David Hunt said that

“multitudes of sincere, Bible-believing Christians are ‘Calvinists’ only by default. Thinking that the only choice is between Calvinism with its doctrine of eternally security and Arminianism with its falling away, and confident that salvation cannot be lost because of Christ’s promise to keep eternally those who believe in Him, they therefore consider themselves to be Calvinists.”³

Many preachers do not agree with all five points of the TULIP but will call themselves two or three point Calvinist. A systematic study of God’s Word will conclude that all five points of the TULIP must be rejected.

Hyper-Calvinism is not a biblical doctrine and is permeated with doctrinal error. Hyper-Calvinism is a foolish doctrine for several reasons that will be stated here and more thoroughly dealt with at a later time. First of all, Hyper-Calvinism teaches that a sinner is already saved, but just does not know it yet. He is elected and predestined for Heaven and can do nothing about it. Nothing can or will keep him from eternal salvation and, one day, he will come to the realization that he is one of God’s elect. His salvation has nothing to do with his own personal choice, but simply with God’s sovereign will. Secondly, Hyper-Calvinism is unbiblical because it destroys God’s commandment to preach the gospel to every creature. Why preach the gospel to those who cannot accept God’s salvation? It is like hanging the proverbial “carrot” of eternal life under their noses when they do not have the ability to accept it. Fourthly, Hyper-Calvinism teaches a doctrine of limited atonement that denies His death of the cross for the sins of the whole world. This teaching is contrary to clear Scripture on the subject of propitiation. Fifthly, Hyper-Calvinism is a foolish doctrine because it denies that man has a free will and, therefore, is accountable for his choices. In effect, this doctrine is placing the blame upon God for both man’s sinfulness and inability to do anything to correct the problem. If Hyper-Calvinism is correct, then Adam was also correct in Genesis chapter 3 by placing the blame for sin upon God who gave him the woman.

God’s Word must be the final authority and will clarify the muddied waters of sovereignty verses free will. In the light of the work that the Lord Jesus Christ left to the Church to accomplish, it is imperative that the pastors keep their theology pure through both diligent study and proper interpretation of God’s Word. Then and only then can the Great Commission that was entrusted to the Church’s care be carried out. Otherwise, the Church is in a dilemma. Can Christians, with all honesty, go from door to door telling others that Jesus Christ died for their sins if He did not die for the sins of the whole world? Therefore it must be both dealt with in a Scriptural manner and eradicated from the churches.