Monergism

Monergism is the name for the belief held by some in Christian theology that through the preaching of the word, the Holy Spirit alone can act to effectually bring about the spiritual regeneration of people that they might understand and believe the gospel. The idea is most often associated with Calvinism and its doctrine of irresistible grace and in particular with the differences between Calvinism on the one hand and Arminianism and Roman Catholicism on the other.

Statement of the doctrine

In its simplest form monergism states that the regeneration of an individual is the work of God the Holy Spirit alone, as opposed to synergism, which, in its simplest form, insists that the human will cooperates with God's grace in order to be regenerated. To the synergist faith comes from our unregenerated human nature. Thus salvation is not complete until the individual performs some action(s). According to monergism, faith in Christ only springs from a renewed heart since no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' apart from the Holy Spirit.

Origins

In modern formulations derived from the theology of the Reformation, monergism is the position that the grace of God is the only efficient cause in beginning and effecting conversion. Monergism is set in opposition to a doctrine of synergy, which is purported to be the position of the Roman Catholic Church.

Opposition to monergism

Synergists typically believe that God wills a human being to follow Him and helps the person, but does not determine the choice for the individual. Synergists believe that because man is made in the "image and likeness of God," he has the ability to love, which is by its nature a free gift of self. According to the synergist view, in his love God has given man freedom of choice so that man is able to respond to God's grace. Synergists look to various Biblical passages, such as the parable on the talents and the passage "If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart."

Synergists believe that monergism inevitably leads to fatalism. The argument is that there is no necessity to live in a godly and decent way and obey God's law if one cannot have an influence in his or her personal salvation.

Another argument against monergism is that it is comparable to the lottery; for the human being, the eventual outcome of grace could just as well be the result of drawing a lot or a divine whim.

Usually synergists reject the solas principles of Luther altogether and rather rely either on synergism or voluntarism.

References

External links

• Monergism.com - many articles in favor of a Calvinistic monergism