Four-point Calvinism

What it means

Many Christians are persuaded that salvation is wholly God's work, that He chose His people unconditionally, and that He keeps them to the end, but cannot accept definite atonement. They believe that Christ died for every person in some real sense, making salvation available to all, even though only the elect will be brought to faith. This is often called four-point or moderate Calvinism, and it is common in many evangelical and Baptist churches.

Holders appeal to verses that speak of Christ as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, as the Savior of all people, and as having bought even false teachers. They believe this gives a firmer ground for offering the gospel to everyone.

The Reformed confessions teach definite atonement. They answer that "world" in John's writings often means people of every nation, not every individual, and that Christ's death is sufficient for all and sincerely offered to all, while being designed to save the elect. The disagreement is real but held within shared commitments to God's sovereign grace.

In Scripture

• 1 John 2:2

  1 John 2:2

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  Christ is the atoning sacrifice not only for our sins but for the whole world.

• 1 Timothy 4:10

  1 Timothy 4:10

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  God is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

• 2 Peter 2:1

  2 Peter 2:1

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  False teachers deny the Master who bought them.

• John 3:16

  John 3:16

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  God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.

• John 6:37

  John 6:37

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  All the Father gives to Christ will come to Him, which four-point Calvinists also affirm.