What is Amyraldism / Four-Point Calvinism?

Answer

Amyraldism (sometimes spelled Amyraldianism) is a branch of Calvinism that adheres to four of Calvinism’s five points—rejecting limited atonement. Due to this, Amyraldism is occasionally referred to as “four-point Calvinism” or “moderate Calvinism.” The name Amyraldism comes from Moses Amyraut (Moyses Amyraldus), a 16th-century French theologian who played a significant role in shaping the doctrine of “hypothetical redemption” or “hypothetical universalism.” Some Calvinists view Amyraldism as a more lenient form of Calvinism; others consider it an unnecessary concession to Arminianism; while some see it as internally inconsistent and therefore illogical.

To gain a better grasp of Amyraldism, it is helpful to review the principles of Calvinism. Traditional Calvinism revolves around the five points of Calvinism, which are outlined as follows:

1. Total Depravity – Man, in his fallen state, is entirely incapable of performing any good deeds that are pleasing to God.

2. Unconditional Election – Due to man’s total depravity, he is unable (and unwilling) to seek salvation from God. Hence, God must choose sovereignly those who will be saved. His selection of individuals for salvation is unconditional, not dependent on any human qualities or actions, but solely on God’s grace.

3. Limited Atonement – To redeem those whom God has unconditionally chosen, atonement for their sins was necessary. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of the chosen and secure their forgiveness through His crucifixion.

4. Irresistible Grace – The Holy Spirit imparts the completed salvation to the chosen by compelling them to faith and repentance. This irresistible call of the Holy Spirit cannot be refused and is known as an efficacious call.

5. Perseverance of the Saints – Those whom God has chosen for salvation will endure to the

Elect, atoned for, and efficaciously called individuals are preserved in faith until the last day. They will never fall away because God has secured them with the seal of the Holy Spirit. The saints persevere because God preserves them.

As previously mentioned, the specific point that Amyraldism denies is the third point, limited atonement. Amyraldism replaces it with unlimited atonement, or the concept of “hypothetical universalism,” which asserts that Christ died for the sins of all people, not just the elect. Amyraldism upholds the doctrine of unconditional election even while teaching unlimited atonement in this manner: because God knew that not all would respond in faith to Christ’s atonement (due to man’s total depravity), He elected some to whom He would impart saving faith.

Amyraldism falls between Calvinism and Arminianism regarding the extent of the atonement. Calvinism teaches that the atonement is limited to the elect; Christ’s death on the cross ensures salvation for the elect. Arminianism teaches that the atonement is unlimited and available to all; Christ’s death on the cross makes salvation possible for all, and man must exercise faith to actualize salvation. Amyraldism teaches that Christ died for all individuals, but God only applies this salvation to those whom He has chosen. This is connected to a perspective held in some Calvinistic circles known as “unlimited/limited atonement.”

Amyraldism appears to address a challenge that a belief in limited atonement raises—specifically, the difficulty of reconciling Calvinism with passages that teach Christ died for everyone (John 3:16;2 Peter 3:9;1 John 2:2). However, Amyraldism is not without its own challenge: if Christ died for all individuals, then, logically, there are people in hell right now whose sins have been atoned for. Those in hell are not the elect, according to Amyraldism, so did God overlook people for whom Christ died? This is the main issue.The theological question facing Amyraldians is how they respond by stating that God’s salvation (through the unlimited sacrifice of Christ) is equally offered to everyone. However, this salvation comes with a condition: faith. In one sense, God’s grace is universal—He desires all to be saved, as stated in “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)—but, in another sense, His grace is narrowed down and applied (through election) only to those who do not reject salvation.

Amyraldism, or four-point Calvinism, is popular today among many evangelicals, including independent Bible churches, Baptists, and some Presbyterians. Four-point Calvinism is also essentially the position of Got Questions Ministries, as we hold the view that the extent of the atonement was unlimited.