What Is Hyper-Calvinism?

Colin Maxwell's web site is one of the best sources for information on Calvinism, the Gospel, and Evangelism. The site includes one  page that is entirely devoted to e-mails with questions and comments about Calvinism. Here is a recent entry in which Colin answers a question about Hyper-Calvinism.

Can you give me your definition of Hyper-Calvinism? The reason I am asking you is because you seem well versed and honest. It seems everyone has their own definition. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank you for your time. In Christ, Joe

Hi Joe, Thanks for your email and kind remarks. A Hyper Calvinist is someone who emphasises the Sovereignty of God to the practical exclusion of man's responsibility.  Human responsibility insists that all sinners should repent for their sins and believe the gospel as a duty. God commandeth all men everywhere to repent....(Acts 17:30) etc., The Hyper Calvinist denies what he brands "Duty Faith" and "Duty Repentance" (See here for a good example) arguing that duty suggests ability, although this is not actually the case. Man's inability is sin induced and he cannot sin himself out of his duties before a Holy God. Hyper Calvinism also frowns on indiscriminate gospel preaching and shrinks in horror from the concept of the free offer of the gospel, so alien to the thoughts of Calvin and historic Calvinism. See here for a balanced view of true Calvinism. Thanks for writing. Colin.

Rev. Maxwell is an itinerant evangelist in the Free Presbyterian Church: Northern Ireland.