The Imbalance of Hyper-Calvinism

Growing up, I heard the term “Calvinism” only a couple of times. I understood that nobody really believed it anymore. It wasn’t until I was 30 that I was introduced to actual Calvinist doctrine. In His providence, God blessed me with friends and a church who were gracious, kind, and patient. They bore with me as I asked many questions, sometimes responding with indignation to this unfamiliar and often hostile view of Scripture. I touch upon my experience in Leaving Calvinism’s Parking Lot.

My introduction to Calvinism was very serene. However, I have come to find that this is not the case for many people. The Internet allows loud voices to project a presence disproportionate to their actual influence. This is especially true for a group called “Hyper Calvinists.” Hyper Calvinists rarely see themselves as such; they view themselves not only as the only real Calvinists but also as the only real Christians.

Hyper Calvinism is a set of errant beliefs that contradict Scripture. Its relation to Calvinism is tangential, rooted in an imbalance of foundational Christian doctrines, including evangelism and God’s relation to the existence of evil. In discussions about Calvinism, the term “Hyper-Calvinism” often arises with varying definitions. To clarify, Hyper-Calvinism represents a set of beliefs that diverge significantly from traditional Calvinist doctrine. These beliefs are deeply rooted in an extreme form of supralapsarianism, leading to several theological errors and are considered heretical by orthodox Christian standards.

Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism

Supralapsarianism is a theological perspective concerning the logical order of God’s decrees in relation to the fall of man (lapsus). Supralapsarians hold that God’s decree to elect some to salvation and others to reprobation occurred logically prior to His decree to allow the fall. This view emphasizes God’s sovereign choice in election before considering humanity’s fallen state.

Infralapsarianism, on the other hand, posits that God’s decree to elect some and pass over others logically follows His decree to permit the fall. This view maintains that the fall was part of God’s plan but not the primary focus in His decree of election and reprobation.

Traditional Calvinism includes both infralapsarianism and supralapsarianism but maintains a balance that avoids extreme interpretations. Calvinists debate these perspectives while holding to the overarching doctrines of God’s sovereignty and grace.

Hyper-Calvinism, however, takes supralapsarianism to an extreme, leading to beliefs inconsistent with Calvinism proper and orthodox Christian doctrine. This extreme view results in several theological errors, such as denying the need for evangelism and asserting that assurance of election must precede faith and repentance. These positions distort the balance and harmony found within traditional Calvinist doctrine.

Beliefs & Errors of Hyper-Calvinism

Hyper-Calvinists do not all hold the same beliefs. They may hold to some or all of the following beliefs. For example, in my experiences, only specific cults hold to the view of “racial election.”

Notably, all of these beliefs at first glance seem random and unconnected. This is why it was important to introduce the concept of Hyper Supralapsarianism. Each of these beliefs is a result of a Hyper Supralapsarianist understanding of God’s decree:

1. God as the Author of Sin: Hyper-Calvinists may assert that God is the first cause and author of sin and evil, an extreme interpretation of God’s sovereignty that traditional Calvinism rejects. Scripture states, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one” (James 1:13).
2. Denial of Human Will: This view holds that men have no will of their own and that secondary causes are of no effect, contradicting the Calvinist balance of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Joseph’s exchange with his brothers illustrates the compatibility of divine sovereignty and human responsibility: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
3. Rejection of Evangelism: Hyper-Calvinists often believe it is wrong to evangelize, undermining the Great Commission and the universal call to repentance. Jesus commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
4. Assurance Before Faith: They may claim that assurance of election must be sought prior to repentance and faith, contrary to the Calvinist understanding of the order of salvation. Scripture teaches that faith comes first: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
5. Belief in Predestination Alone: Some equate saving faith with belief in the doctrine of predestination, neglecting the broader scope of faith in Christ. Scripture emphasizes faith in Christ: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
6. Neo-Gnostic Calvinism: An extreme view that only Calvinists are true Christians, disregarding the diverse expressions of genuine Christian faith. Scripture teaches that the gospel is for all who believe: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Romans 10:13).
7. Racial Election: A dangerous belief that God has chosen some races of men and rejected others, which is antithetical to the gospel. This view is a minority position among Hyper-Calvinists. Scripture proclaims the universality of the gospel: “There is neither Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

The Error of Imbalance

The primary error in Hyper-Calvinism is its imbalance and extremity. By overemphasizing certain aspects of God’s sovereignty and predestination, it distorts the biblical portrayal of God’s character and the nature of His decrees. Doctrinal errors often arise from such imbalances, leading to practical and theological consequences that contradict Scripture.

Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 LSB

Conclusion

Hyper-Calvinism, or Hyper Supralapsarianism, is a departure from orthodox Christian belief and is rightly considered heretical. It diverges from Calvinism proper by taking key doctrines, such as God’s sovereignty and predestination, to an extreme that denies human responsibility and evangelism. While Calvinism maintains a balanced biblical understanding of God’s sovereignty in salvation, Hyper-Calvinism distorts essential aspects of God’s character and rejects direct commands from God, such as the call to repent and evangelize, making it a significant deviation from biblical Christianity.

It is crucial for Christians to distinguish between historical Calvinism, which maintains a balance of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, and Hyper-Calvinism, which leads to theological and practical errors. Understanding and adhering to biblical teaching helps avoid such extremes, promoting a balanced and faithful expression of Christian doctrine.