What is Hyper-Calvinism? Is it Biblical?

Hyper-Calvinism is a system of extreme and radical religious beliefs that are rooted in the theological doctrines and teachings of protestant reformer John Calvin.

What are the beliefs of a Hyper-Calvinist and is Hyper-Calvinism really Biblical?

Below are some key beliefs and tenets associated with Hyper-Calvinism.

1.  Hyper-Calvinists believe in the doctrine of Limited Atonement
Limited Atonement is the belief that Jesus Christ did not shed His blood for the sins of the entire world. Hyper-Calvinists believe that Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice and atonement on the cross was limited and exclusively for the elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation, and not for all of humanity.

However the Bible explicitly contrasts the doctrine of Limited Atonement as the Scriptures reveal Jesus did not die on the cross for the elect alone, but He shed His blood for all humanity.

1 John 2:2 says: (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

In John 3:16-17 Jesus says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

2. Hyper-Calvinists believe that God deliberately created many people for the purpose of sending them to hell
The doctrine of Double Predestination is a Hyper–Calvinist belief which claims that God creates some people whose purpose in existence is to be sent to hell. Therefore this belief system asserts that God not only chooses some people (the elect) for salvation or heaven – but the same God chooses others (reprobates) for hell and damnation.

Hyper-Calvinism unfortunately goes to the extent of teaching that God loves some people but hates others. Hyper-Calvinism ultimately implies that God only loves the elect and hates the reprobates.
However the Bible clearly reveals that God loves all of humanity and all sinners to the point that He sent Jesus Christ to die for the world (John 1:29; John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).

We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and therefore Jesus Christ came to earth because of His love for mankind. He was then crucified for all sinners so that whoever believes in Him can be saved.

Romans 5:8 says: But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us

The Scriptures also reveal that God does not wish to see anyone perish but He would desire to see all people repent and enter heaven.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 reads: This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth

2 Peter 3:9 says: The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

3. Hyper-Calvinism denies the existence or participation of man’s free will
Hyper-Calvinists lean more towards determinism, fatalism and their doctrine of Double Predestination to the extent where individual human responsibility and free will is denied or minimized.

Hyper-Calvinism also misunderstands God’s sovereignty and takes His sovereignty to such extremes that human free will and human accountability is denied.

However the Bible reveals that even though God is sovereign, God has given humans free will and capacity to choose or reject Him. God has also given humanity the free will to make different choices between alternatives in their daily life, without His direct interference.

In Deuteronomy 30:15-19, God says the following: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil… I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live”

God does not force anyone to be saved because every person has the free will to either choose or reject Him. Furthermore, God will not reject anyone who desires to be saved.

4. Hyper-Calvinism downplays the need to evangelize people with the Gospel
Hyper-Calvinist theology and reasoning is that if God has already predestined some to hell and others to heaven, then why go out and preach or share the Gospel?

So Hyper-Calvinists restrict the preaching of the Gospel to themselves or those whom they deem to be “the elect” and argue that since God has already predetermined who will be saved, there is no need to evangelize unbelievers or the unelected or the reprobate.

However the Bible reveals the Gospel is meant to be preached to all humanity. Therefore Christians should not discriminate concerning who should and should not hear the Gospel.
All people must be given an opportunity to hear the Gospel and make the choice in their own heart whether to follow God or reject Him.

Mark 16:15-16 says: And He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Romans 10:14-15 says: How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Conclusion

Hyper-Calvinism is clearly not Biblical and it distorts the nature and character of God by dismissing the genuine and unconditional love that He has for all humanity.
Its teachings which lean more towards fatalism and determinism ultimately lead to denial regarding free will and individual human responsibility.

Jesus did not shed His blood for a select few, but He shed His blood on the cross for the whole world with the desire that whoever believes in Him will escape eternal punishment.
Jesus shed His blood for all sinners in the world and God desires that all people would repent and be saved despite their free will ability to reject Him.
God is sovereign but He does not violate man’s free will. Every person has the ability to make a free will choice, so it is important to share the Gospel to all people.