Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism
A Sermon on Calvinism and Evangelism
Scripture
Sermon Description
What is the responsibility of evangelism? In this sermon titled “Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones distinguishes between the three from a biblical perspective in regards to evangelism. There is a great confusion today between mere activity and real spiritual work. People are always impressed by activity, but this is often carnal zeal and activism. What is “prayer-backing”? Do Calvinists need to be reminded of the responsibility of evangelism in ministry? What is the right motive for evangelism? Learn of the history of Calvinism and the over-correction that often results. Hyper-Calvinists press logic so far that they do not give the free offer of salvation to others. Hear of election, predestination, and human responsibility, and of the biblical truths that cannot be logically reconciled. God alone is responsible for salvation, while humanity alone is responsible for damnation. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that a person ought to be a great Calvinist who preaches like an Arminian. Evangelism is the result of a great urge, not mere duty; it is an inevitable fruit, not something to be added. How did Christianity spread before the printing press? Look to God for help, rather than oneself; be filled with the glory of God, rather than statistics and organizations. Stand humbled before God.
Sermon Breakdown
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by explaining that he does not like the term "responsibility of evangelism" because it suggests duty. He believes evangelism should arise inevitably from within.
- He contrasts the Arminian view of evangelism as an outward duty with the Calvinist view of evangelism arising organically from within. The Calvinist view sees evangelism as the inevitable fruit of the Spirit's work.
- He acknowledges that Calvinists can appear less interested in evangelism, especially new converts reacting against their former Arminianism. But this is a misperception. True Calvinism leads inevitably to evangelism.
- He argues that the outward zeal and activity of Arminians can be misleading. Their evangelism is often superficial, focused on decisions and numbers, not true conversion. The zeal of cults is similar. True zeal arises from seeing people's spiritual need.
- He warns against a "theoretical Calvinism" that is merely logical and not animated by the Spirit. Calvinism should never lead to dull, lifeless preaching.
- He argues that Scripture clearly teaches both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We must hold both in tension, not favoring one over the other. Hyper-Calvinism denies human responsibility.
- He illustrates how both Peter and Paul preached by commanding sinners to repent while also affirming God's sovereignty. We must do the same.
- He shows how the great evangelists of the past, like Whitefield and the Puritans, were Calvinists who preached out of a deep sense of God's glory and human need. Their Calvinism fueled their evangelism.
- He calls for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit to revive the church and fuel a new zeal for evangelism. Mere organization and human effort are not enough. We need revival.
- He concludes with a prayer for God to pour out His Spirit, revive the church, and use them powerfully for evangelism.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Believe About Calvinism and Evangelism?
Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon, here are key questions and answers about his views on Calvinism and evangelism:
What was the common criticism against Calvinists that Lloyd-Jones addressed?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones addressed the common criticism that Calvinists don't believe in evangelism or lack interest in it. He noted that Calvinists are often "contrasted unfavorably with the Armenians," and that this is "one of the commonest charges brought against us." He mentioned that the Billy Graham organization had spread this accusation about him personally across the world, leading people to write him from Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand asking if it was true that he didn't believe in evangelism.
How did Lloyd-Jones distinguish between true evangelism and mere activism?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones distinguished between true evangelism and mere activism by comparing the motives behind the activities. He suggested that much of what passes for evangelistic zeal in Arminianism is "carnal zeal" and "activism" rather than true spiritual activity. He pointed out that "activity as such proves nothing," noting that cults like Jehovah's Witnesses show similar levels of activity. True evangelism, according to Lloyd-Jones, arises from a deep understanding of the condition of unbelievers and is motivated by the love of Christ rather than organizational success or numbers.
What analogy did Lloyd-Jones use to illustrate the difference between Armenian and Calvinist evangelism?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones used the analogy of a Christmas tree versus a real fruit tree. He described Arminianism as like a Christmas tree where "you're putting things on from the outside" - artificially attaching fruit to make it look productive. In contrast, Calvinism is like "a real tree growing in an orchard" where the fruit comes naturally through "a vital process" - "it comes out of you" as an inevitable result of inner spiritual life, not something you decide to do out of duty.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the danger for new converts to Calvinism?
Answer: According to Lloyd-Jones, new converts to Calvinism often face the danger of becoming "tied up in their own logic" and "paralyzed by their own logic." They tend to react strongly against their former Arminianism and swing to the opposite extreme. They become overly theoretical and intellectual, focusing on theological systems rather than scriptural commands. This can lead them to hyper-Calvinism, where they refuse to offer salvation freely to all people because they think it contradicts their theological system.
What historical evidence did Lloyd-Jones provide to show that Calvinists have been great evangelists?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones provided numerous historical examples showing that Calvinists have been great evangelists: - The apostles who "preached day and night and were indefatigable" - The reformers like John Calvin who "preached every day of the week and twice on Sunday" - George Whitefield, whom he called "the most active man in this world" who in evangelistic zeal "leaves them all standing, even the Armenian Wesleys" - Jonathan Edwards and other American Calvinists - Charles Haddon Spurgeon, "the greatest preacher and the most active of all the preachers in the last century" - The founders of early missionary societies in the 1790s, who Lloyd-Jones noted were "all Calvinists" - Pioneers of missionary work among Native Americans like John Elliott and the Mathers
What did Lloyd-Jones identify as the true Calvinist approach to revival?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones identified the true Calvinist approach to revival as one that depends on God rather than human organization. He explained that historically, when churches were declining, Calvinists would examine themselves, fast, pray, and plead with God to "come back amongst them" - acknowledging they had "grieved the Spirit" and needed God to return. This contrasts with the modern approach of organizing evangelistic campaigns. Lloyd-Jones emphasized that "the Calvinist is a man who looks for the given," who "expects the Spirit to descend upon him" and "believes in revivals" - not merely in evangelistic campaigns.
What did Lloyd-Jones mean when he said "a dead Calvinism is a contradiction in terms"?
Answer: When Lloyd-Jones said "a dead Calvinism is a contradiction in terms," he meant that true Calvinism by its very nature should produce life, warmth, and zeal. He asserted that "a dry Calvinism" and "a dull Calvinism" are also contradictions. He explained that if someone claims to be a Calvinist but is dead, dry, or dull in their preaching, what they actually have is not true Calvinism but "intellectualism" or "determinism." True Calvinism should humble a person before God's sovereignty and fill them with love that "constraineth" them to evangelize with warmth and passion.
What did Lloyd-Jones say is the ultimate test of true Calvinism?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones said that "the test of our Calvinism is not the number of quotations, learned quotations we can produce. It's the amount of tears that we shed." He emphasized that true Calvinism produces deep emotion, citing how George Whitefield "scarcely ever preached without tears streaming down his face" and how even the brilliant theologian Jonathan Edwards had "tears streaming down his face" while listening to Whitefield preach. For Lloyd-Jones, true Calvinism results in humility, compassion, and heartfelt zeal rather than intellectual pride or mere theoretical knowledge.
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.