A fivefold definition: The definition I am proposing outlines five varieties of hyper-Calvinism, listed here in a declining order, from the worst kind to a less extreme variety (which some might prefer to class as "ultra-high Calvinism"):Read the whole thing.
A hyper-Calvinist is someone who either:All five varieties of hyper-Calvinism undermine evangelism or twist the gospel message.
- Denies that the gospel call applies to all who hear,
- OR Denies that faith is the duty of every sinner,
- OR Denies that the gospel makes any "offer" of Christ, salvation, or mercy to the non-elect (or denies that the offer of divine mercy is free and universal),
- OR Denies that there is such a thing as "common grace,"
- OR Denies that God has any sort of love for the non-elect.
For more on this subject, see Iain Murray's book, Spurgeon v. Hyper Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching.
You can also read Phil Johnson's latest response to the ongoing caricatures and misunderstandings of David Allen--a professor of preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a participant in the "John 3:16" conference.
Update: Link to the "response" now fixed.