Hyper-Calvinists vs Hyper Calvinists; Armenians vs Arminians
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Since there's some confusion regarding the proper meaning of the terms, I thought it might be worth re-posting something I wrote last year:
Best line of the day: "There are more pro-life, stay-at-home moms involved in Planned Parenthood than Hyper-Calvinists in the SBC."
If you're one of those who think that the SBC (and the broader Reformed movement) contain a bunch of "hyper-Calvinists," you'll want to read Nathan Finn's post. {link fixed}
Remember, two cardinal rules to debating Calvinism: first, while some Arminians are Armenians and some Armenians are Arminians, Armenians and Arminians are two very different groups. Second, while it's true that some Calvinists can be a bit hyper, that doesn't make them Hyper-Calvinists.
For a good introduction to Hyper-Calvinism--what it is and isn't--check out Spurgeon Vs Hyper Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching by Iain H. Murray. Finn's post also contains a helpful summary by Timothy George.
And if you hear professors referring to the evangelical Reformed movement as "hyper-Calvinism," you can be sure that they are either operating in ignorance or taking cheap shots. Hyper-Calvinism is real--but it's an ugly doctrine that distorts the gospel, and it's not being promoted by today's Reformed teachers.
(HT: Michael Haykin)
* * *
Best line of the day: "There are more pro-life, stay-at-home moms involved in Planned Parenthood than Hyper-Calvinists in the SBC."
If you're one of those who think that the SBC (and the broader Reformed movement) contain a bunch of "hyper-Calvinists," you'll want to read Nathan Finn's post. {link fixed}
Remember, two cardinal rules to debating Calvinism: first, while some Arminians are Armenians and some Armenians are Arminians, Armenians and Arminians are two very different groups. Second, while it's true that some Calvinists can be a bit hyper, that doesn't make them Hyper-Calvinists.
For a good introduction to Hyper-Calvinism--what it is and isn't--check out Spurgeon Vs Hyper Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching by Iain H. Murray. Finn's post also contains a helpful summary by Timothy George.
And if you hear professors referring to the evangelical Reformed movement as "hyper-Calvinism," you can be sure that they are either operating in ignorance or taking cheap shots. Hyper-Calvinism is real--but it's an ugly doctrine that distorts the gospel, and it's not being promoted by today's Reformed teachers.
(HT: Michael Haykin)
posted by JT at Tuesday, August 07, 2007
16 Comments:
the picture to illustrate your "some Calvinists are hyper" statement? priceless. made me laugh out loud.
Justin,
Your link to Nathan Finn is a dead link. Just thought you would like to know. I'm curious to read what Nathan had to say. Thanks for you continued vigilance to promote the truth.
"And if you hear professors referring to the evangelical Reformed movement as "hyper-Calvinism," you can be sure that they are either operating in ignorance or taking cheap shots."
agreed!
Would you also agree that anyone who equates Arminianism with "semi-pelagianism" is likewise in error?
This post has been removed by the author.
Recently I had a friend ask me for a suggestion on a good intro book to Calvinism and Arminianism. Anyone have some good suggestions?
I'm still laughing.
Jon,
IVP published a couple of books a few years ago that might be of help: (1) Why I Am a Calvinist and (2) Why I Am an Arminian.
JT
JT,
I think those books were titled:
1. Why I Am Not a Calvinist (Walls/Dongell)
2. Why I Am Not an Arminian
The former came out in 2004; not sure on the authors or release date of the latter.
Calling those who have a theology congruent with Jacobus Arminius "Armenians" is almost as painful as referring to the last book of the Bible as "RevelationS" (plural).
The Hyper-Calvinism issue is another beating, especially in the SBC.
I love Tom Ascol on the subject:
"It might be beneficial to distinguish Calvinism from hyper-Calvinism because the two are often confused. (Indeed some writers and teachers confuse them so often and so willingly that one must wonder if the practice is intentional.) In one sense, hyper-Calvinism, like Arminianism, is a rationalistic perversion of true Calvinism. Whereas Arminianism destroys the sovereignty of God, hyper-Calvinism destroys the responsibility of man. The irony is that both Arminianism and hyper-Calvinism start from the same, erroneous rationalistic presupposition: Man's ability and responsibility are coextensive. That is, they must match up exactly or else it is irrational. If a man is to be held responsible for something, then he must have the ability to do it. On the other hand, if a man does not have the ability to perform it, he cannot be obligated to do it."
When Hyper-Calvinists go to bed at night, they check their closets for Chuck Spurgeon.
"Hyper-Calvinism" is also sort of a misleading label since it's really a step back toward an Arm./ Man-Centered world view. It presupposes (along with most Arminians) that God wouldn't/ couldn't command of us something that we cannot do.
I agree that the IVP books are good introductions. "Debating Calvinism" featuring James White and David Hunt is certainly an interesting read, though some might think Hunt is not the best representative of the Arminian position. I still think Sproul's "Chosen by God" is a good intro to the Calvinist understanding of salvation. A debate was held in April 2002 at Southland Christian Church, near Louisville with Tom Schreiner and Bruce Ware (Southern Seminary) defending Calvinism and Joe Dongell and Jerry Walls (Asbury Semrinary)defending Arminianism. A video copy of that debate (available through Southern??) is a great introduction to the issues.
This is good stuff. It really gets the brian cells bouncing around....does that mean they are hyper...does that mean I am hyper or Hyper or...never mind.
Calvinists who are hyper! grate article man. I consider spurgeons' viewpoint on the matter at worst psycotic at best exemplary.
Thanks for your clarification on this topic. I run into calvinist-haters all the time who put Calvinists in the hyper category. It's nice to see a well thought out response. Keep up the good posts!
Http://www.missionaryroad.com
ken
WOW.. if profs look at the reformed movement as hyper, they should have grown up in my church ( google Don Fortner/ Scott Richardson)....they think reformed is legalistic verging on freewill! I am happy to say I am a much gentler version;)
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