Understanding the Differences Among Calvinists: 3-Point, 4-Point, 5-Point, and Hyper-Calvinism

Well, there are some points in Calvinism that some people who label themselves “Calvinist” don’t accept. However, for me, one can’t consider himself a Calvinist if one does not accept the five points. The five points work seamlessly and are logically flawless together and supported by Scriptures. Further, they have a basis in Church history as they are the ones laid down by the Synod of Dort in response to Arminianism. (A side note: The most famous five-point Calvinist among independent Baptists was probably Charles Spurgeon.) You can’t take one point away and still call it Calvinism. It’s the whole package. You can’t call yourself a Calvinist if you don’t accept the five points. But that’s just me; I can’t impose labels on people if they insist on calling themselves a Calvinist if they only accept three or four points. But if we are to be technical about it…

Most Calvinists do not consider somebody to be a Calvinist if he/she only adheres to three points, and there are a lot of reasons for this, but probably the major reason is that people who claim to be “three pointers” take just any three points in Calvinism among the five. This is somewhat confusing and hard to label. A “four-point Calvinist” is, to be precise, an offshoot of Calvinism called “Amyraldism.” They have issues with regards to only one point: limited atonement.

With regards to hyper-Calvinism, they believe the five points, but they mistakenly make a seemingly logical conclusion that is not based on Scriptures. Much can be said about what they believe, but to illustrate a consequence of what they believe is resorting to some sort of fatalism wherein they would normally not resort to any kind of evangelism, having this erroneous thinking that it is a futile effort as God has already elected certain individuals for salvation. You and I know this is totally wrong and indeed very unscriptural. On the one hand, the doctrine of election is very explicit and can be found all over Scriptures; on the other hand, we are explicitly commanded to go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

Here is a good read on the five points written by John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-we-believe-about-the-five-points-of-calvinism

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