MONERGISM

'Monergism' in Christian theology is the theory that the Holy Spirit alone can act to bring about the conversion of people. The idea is most often associated with Calvinism and its doctrine of irresistible grace and in particular with the differences between that theological system on the one hand and Arminianism and Roman Catholicism on the other.

Contents

Statement of the doctrine

Origins

Opposition to monergism

References

External links

Statement of the doctrine

In its simplest form monergism states that salvation is all from God, as opposed to synergism, which, in its simplest form, insists that God performs some action(s) leaving salvation incomplete until man performs some action(s) to complete salvation. According to monergism, a sinner is given pardon for sin by the death of Jesus, acceptance with God by the imputed righteousness of Jesus, and faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Sanctification then begins either instantaneously according to some, or as an on going progressive process according to others. But to remain consistent to monergism, justification must be entirely of God.

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,^[1] whose 1994 ''Catechism'' states (emphasis in original),
:Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, ''no one can merit the initial grace'' of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, ''we can then merit'' for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God's wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions.^[2]

Opposition to monergism

Synergists, typically hold that God wills a human being to follow Him and helps the person, but does not make the choice for them. They hold 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. In the synergist view, God out of love has given man this freedom of choice and so man has the option of responding 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."
Syneregists believe that monergism can 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 monergisim 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

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External links

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