Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Su Gracia Gratuita (Spanish Blog)
    • Graça sem limites (Portuguese Blog)
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Home
→
Journal Articles
→
Book Reviews
→
Hyper-Calvinism & the Call of the Gospel

Hyper-Calvinism & the Call of the Gospel

Posted in Book Reviews

Hyper-Calvinism & the Call of the Gospel.Revised Edition. By David J. Engelsma. Grand Rapids: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1994. 216 pp. Paper, $13.95.

The author, a committed Calvinist, on the one hand rejects that hyper-Calvinist view that God is not calling everyone to believe in Christ and be born again. However, on the other hand he also rejects the view that God wants all to be saved. In Engelsma’s view, God wants all to hear, but He doesn’t desire all to be saved (e.g., p. 67).

Unlimited atonement is rejected, of course, by Engelsma (pp. 61-65).

Engelsma says that hyper-Calvinism is in a sense antinomian! He writes: “Hyper-Calvinism is antinomianism with reference to the preaching of the gospel, especially the imperative of the gospel, and with reference to the duty of men so addressed…The gospel is to be preached only to the elect, and only they are to be called to faith” (p. 204).

He labels both Arminianism and hyper-Calvinism as heresies! He speaks of the need to “check the wildfire spread of the freewill cancer” (p. 193) and “the Arminian heresy” (p. 194). Yet he also warns that “a Reformed church must guard against the subtle inroads of the hyper-Calvinist heresy with all vigilance” (p. 205).

Amazingly the author chides hyper-Calvinists for being afraid of preaching the simple message of John 3:16! Note these biting words: “The spirit of hyper-Calvinism is embarrassment and hesitation, that is fear…over declaring the promise ‘Whosoever believes shall not perish, but have everlasting life.’ This language is not suspect. It is not the language of Arminian ‘free-willism.’ It is pure, sound, biblical language” (p. 208).

Scripture, Reformed writers from the past and present, and the Reformed confessions are the basis for Engelsma’s defense of his position.

This book is an opportunity to listen to a committed five-point Calvinist speaking to other five-point Calvinists about what he considers to be an extreme form of Calvinism on the one hand, and the free-will positions of Arminians, on the other. It is a fascinating book. I think it is well worth reading and having.

Robert N. Wilkin
Editor
Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society

Denton, Texas

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
Bob Wilkin

by Bob Wilkin

Bob Wilkin is Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society and co-host of Grace in Focus Radio. He lives in Highland Village, TX with his wife, Sharon. His latest book is Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance.

Cart

Recently Added

January 15, 2021

Dos aspectos de la cruz

He comenzado a trabajar en serio en mi próximo libro. Como continuación de mi libro anterior, Chosen to Serve [Elegido para servir]—que trataba con la...
January 15, 2021

Is it Possible to be a True Disciple In Isolation?

In todays episode of Grace in Focus, Bob and Shawn will be chatting about isolation in the life of a believer. Can a believer grow,...
January 15, 2021

Do Not Trust in Politicians

Did you ever notice that the New Testament barely mentions the names or actions of the ruling authorities of the day? For example, during the...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • The Gospel Under Siege: Faith and Works in Tension $16.00 $7.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Hardcover) $13.95 $5.00
  • Tough Texts: Did Jesus Teach Salvation by Works? $18.00 $10.00
  • Best of Zane Hodges - 2 DVD Set $40.00 $15.00
  • Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance $15.00 $7.00
Grace Evangelical Society
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

Tweets by GESwebmaster