Hyper-Grace theology

Hyper-Grace, also called the modern grace message, is a soteriological doctrine in Christianity which emphasizes divine grace and holds to eternal security. The view has been mostly popularized among certain expressions of Charismatic Christianity. Hyper-Grace has been advocated by Christian teachers such as Joseph Prince and Paul Ellis, among many others.^[1][2][3][4] The term "Hyper-Grace" has been given to the view by its critics, however the term has been embraced by some who teach it.^[2]

History

Hyper-Grace has mainly arisen out of theologians during the 20th and 21st centuries within the Charismatic movement. The doctrine of Hyper-Grace has caused some controversy within the Charismatic movement.^[2][3] The disagreements between Hyper-Grace theologians and other soteriological views has caused a controversy within Evangelical Christianity. The doctrines of Hyper-Grace have been critiqued by Evangelical authors such as Michael Brown and R. C. Sproul among others.^[5][6][7][8]

Joseph Prince

More prominent theologians and teachers who have been identified with the movement include:

• Andre Rabe^[2]
• Andre van der Merwe^[2]
• Andrew Farley^[2]
• Andrew Wommack^[2]
• Benjamin Dunn^[2]
• Brandon Pollard^[2]
• Chuck Crisco^[2]
• Clark Whitten^[5]
• Colin Dye^[2]
• D. R. Silva^[9]
• Francois du Toit^[2]
• Henoch Bosedi^[10]
• Jeff Turner^[2]
• John Crowder^[2]
• John Sheasby^[2]
• Joseph Prince^[2]
• Michael Reyes^[2]
• Mick Mooney^[2]
• Paul Ellis^[2]
• Rob Bell^[2]
• Rob Rufus^[5]
• Ryan Rufus^[2]
• Simon Yap^[2]
• Steve McVey^[5]
• Tony Ide^[2]

Theological views

Hyper-Grace is characterized by holding to eternal security with a high emphasis on divine grace. Hyper-Grace advocates hold that the believer is not under the Mosaic law in any sense, that one's sinful actions cannot hurt fellowship with God, denies the necessity of regular confession of sin in the life of a believer and holds to the belief that every Christian will have an equal possession in heaven.^{[3][11][12][13][14]} However, Hyper-Grace advocates reject viewing grace as a "license" to live in disobedience, viewing it as the only way to stay away from sin and emphasizing the natural consequences sin may have.^[9][15] Thus, advocates of the view have argued that grace is the most powerful motivator of obedience.^[16][17] Hyper-Grace rejects the idea of "Lordship Salvation", arguing that it leads to self examination and doubt. Advocates of Hyper-Grace deny that salvific repentance should be viewed as contrition and hatred for sin, instead being a change of mind, thus a synonym for belief in Christ.^[18][19]

This view is particularly similar to Free Grace theology with many points of agreement, however Free Grace theology is distinguished from Hyper-Grace by the emphasis of Free Grace theologians on the temporal judgements a believer can experience for their sins.^[1]

See also

• Marrow controversy
• Antinomian controversy
• Merit (Christianity)