What is hyper-Calvinism and is it biblical?

Answer

A straightforward explanation is that hyper-Calvinism entails the belief that God saves the elect according to His sovereign will, with minimal reliance on traditional methods of salvation such as evangelism, preaching, and prayer for the lost. To an unbiblical extent, hyper-Calvinists tend to overemphasize God’s sovereignty while downplaying man’s responsibility in the process of salvation.

One evident consequence of hyper-Calvinism is its tendency to diminish the urge to evangelize the unsaved. Churches or denominations subscribing to hyper-Calvinistic doctrines often exhibit fatalism, aloofness, and a lack of assurance in faith. There is a notable lack of emphasis on God’s love for both the lost and His chosen people, replaced instead by an undue focus on God’s sovereignty, His selection of the saved, and His judgment upon the lost. The hyper-Calvinist’s gospel centers on the proclamation of God’s salvation for the elect and condemnation for the unsaved.

The Bible unequivocally affirms God’s sovereignty over the entire universe (Daniel 4:34-35), including the salvation of humanity (Ephesians 1:3-12). However, alongside His sovereignty, the Bible also teaches that God’s primary motivation for saving the lost is His love (Ephesians 1:4-5; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10), and that His method of saving the lost involves the proclamation of His Word (Romans 10:14-15). The Bible also emphasizes the believer’s duty to zealously and earnestly share the message with unbelievers; as representatives of Christ, we are urged to implore people to reconcile with God (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

Hyper-Calvinism takes a biblical doctrine, God’s sovereignty, and pushes it to an unbiblical extreme. By doing so, the hyper-Calvinist diminishes the importance of God’s love and the essential nature of evangelism.