Monergism is a theological term used primarily within Reformed theology to describe the belief that the work of salvation is entirely the work of God alone, without any cooperative effort from humans. Derived from the Greek words “mono” (meaning “one” or “alone”) and “ergon” (meaning “work”), monergism asserts that God is the sole agent in the initiation and completion of salvation. This doctrine stands in contrast to synergism, which posits that human free will cooperates with divine grace in the process of salvation.

Historical Development of Monergism

Early Church and Augustine

The seeds of monergistic thought can be traced back to the early Church, particularly through the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo.

• St. Augustine (354-430): Augustine emphasized the sovereignty of God’s grace in the salvation of sinners. In his debates with Pelagius, who argued that humans could achieve salvation through their own efforts, Augustine insisted that salvation is solely the work of God’s grace.
  • Doctrine of Original Sin: Augustine taught that all humans are born with original sin, which renders them incapable of seeking God or doing good without divine intervention.
  • Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This passage reflects Augustine’s emphasis on salvation as a gift of God’s grace, not a result of human effort.

Reformation and Calvinism

Monergism was further developed and solidified during the Protestant Reformation, particularly by the Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin.

• Martin Luther (1483-1546): Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide) emphasized that salvation is entirely the work of God’s grace. In his work The Bondage of the Will, Luther argued that human will is in bondage to sin and can only be freed by God’s sovereign grace.
  • Romans 9:16: “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” This verse supports Luther’s view that salvation depends entirely on God’s mercy, not on human will or effort.
• John Calvin (1509-1564): Calvin’s theology further articulated the principles of monergism. In his Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin taught the doctrines of total depravity and unconditional election, which assert that humans are completely incapable of saving themselves and that God elects individuals to salvation according to His sovereign will.
  • Total Depravity: Calvin taught that every aspect of human nature is affected by sin, rendering humans utterly incapable of seeking God or doing good without His intervention.
  • Unconditional Election: Calvin asserted that God’s election of individuals to salvation is not based on any foreseen merit or action on their part but solely on His sovereign grace.
  • John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This verse underlines Calvin’s teaching that it is God who draws individuals to Christ, highlighting the monergistic nature of salvation.

Post-Reformation Developments

Monergism continued to be a central tenet in Reformed theology, with further developments and refinements by later theologians.

• Synod of Dort (1618-1619): The Synod of Dort was convened to address the challenges posed by Arminianism, which advocated a synergistic view of salvation. The Canons of Dort affirmed the monergistic doctrines of total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints (collectively known as TULIP).
  • Irresistible Grace: This doctrine teaches that God’s grace to save a person cannot be resisted when He chooses to bestow it, underscoring the monergistic belief that salvation is entirely the work of God.
  • Perseverance of the Saints: This doctrine holds that those whom God has elected and regenerated will persevere in faith and will not ultimately fall away, as their salvation is secure in God’s sovereign will.
  • Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This verse supports the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, indicating that God will complete the work of salvation He has begun.

Theological Emphases of Monergism

Sovereignty of God

Monergism emphasizes the absolute sovereignty of God in all aspects of salvation. God’s will is the ultimate cause of salvation, and human will is subordinated to God’s divine purpose.

• Divine Initiative: Salvation is initiated by God’s sovereign choice, not by any human decision or action. God chooses to save individuals according to His own purposes and grace.
  • Ephesians 1:4-5: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” This passage emphasizes God’s sovereign choice in salvation.

Total Depravity

Monergism teaches that due to original sin, humans are totally depraved and incapable of seeking God or doing good without divine intervention. Human nature is fundamentally flawed and enslaved to sin.

• Human Inability: Humans cannot contribute to their own salvation because they are spiritually dead and incapable of responding to God apart from His grace.
  • Romans 3:10-12: “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'” This passage underscores the total depravity of humanity.

Unconditional Election

Monergism asserts that God’s election of individuals to salvation is unconditional, based solely on His grace and not on any foreseen merit or action on their part.

• Sovereign Choice: God elects individuals to salvation according to His own sovereign will and purpose, independent of human actions or decisions.
  • Romans 9:11-12: “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.'” This passage illustrates the principle of unconditional election.

Irresistible Grace

Monergism teaches that God’s grace is irresistible, meaning that when God chooses to bestow grace on an individual, it effectively brings about their salvation. The individual cannot resist or thwart God’s saving purpose.

• Effectual Calling: When God calls an individual to salvation, that call is effectual and leads to the person’s regeneration and faith.
  • John 6:37: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” This verse emphasizes the effectiveness of God’s call in bringing individuals to Christ.

Perseverance of the Saints

Monergism holds that those whom God has elected and regenerated will persevere in faith and will ultimately be saved. Their salvation is secure in God’s sovereign will.

• Eternal Security: Believers are assured of their salvation because it is grounded in God’s unchanging purposes and power.
  • John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” This passage assures believers of the security of their salvation.

Protestant Engagement with Monergism

Reformed and Calvinist Traditions

Monergism is a central tenet of Reformed and Calvinist theology. These traditions emphasize the sovereignty of God, the doctrines of grace, and the absolute dependence of humans on God for salvation.

• Westminster Confession of Faith (1646): This historic Reformed confession articulates the principles of monergism, affirming God’s sovereign election and the effectual calling of the elect.
  • Chapter X, Of Effectual Calling: “All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ.”

Critiques and Alternative Views

While monergism is central to Reformed theology, it has been critiqued by other Christian traditions that advocate synergistic views of salvation, such as Arminianism and Catholicism.

• Arminianism: Arminians argue that human free will plays a role in salvation and that God’s grace enables but does not compel a response of faith. They assert that individuals can resist God’s grace.
  • Synergism: Arminian theology posits that salvation involves a cooperative effort between God’s grace and human free will, contrasting with the monergistic emphasis on divine sovereignty.
  • Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” This verse is often cited by Arminians to argue that humans can resist God’s grace.

Evangelical Perspectives

Many evangelical Christians hold to monergistic principles, particularly within denominations that trace their theological heritage to the Reformation. However, there is also a diversity of views within evangelicalism, with some holding to synergistic views of salvation.

• Gospel-Centered Theology: Evangelicals who embrace monergism emphasize the centrality of the gospel, the necessity of divine grace, and the assurance of salvation based on God’s sovereign work.
  • Galatians 1:11-12: “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” This passage highlights the divine origin of the gospel, which aligns with the monergistic understanding of salvation as God’s work.

Practical Implications of Monergism in Christian Life

Assurance of Salvation

Monergism provides believers with a strong assurance of salvation, rooted in the belief that their salvation is entirely the work of God and is not dependent on their own efforts or ability to maintain faith.

• Confidence in God’s Sovereignty: Believers can rest in the assurance that God, who began the work of salvation in them, will bring it to completion.
  • Hebrews 12:2: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This verse emphasizes that Jesus is the author and finisher of faith, providing assurance to believers.

Humility and Gratitude

Monergism fosters a deep sense of humility and gratitude, as believers recognize that their salvation is entirely the result of God’s grace and not their own merit.

• Dependence on Grace: Believers are reminded of their total dependence on God’s grace for their salvation, leading to a posture of humility before God.
  • Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This passage encourages humility and gratitude for God’s gift of salvation.

Motivation for Holiness

While monergism emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation, it also motivates believers to pursue holiness, recognizing that their sanctification is the outworking of God’s grace in their lives.

• Sanctification as God’s Work: Believers are called to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in them to will and to act according to His good purpose.
  • Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” This passage highlights the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in the process of sanctification.

Conclusion

From a Christian worldview, Monergism is a theological doctrine that emphasizes the sovereignty of God in the work of salvation, asserting that God alone is the agent who initiates, sustains, and completes the process of saving sinners. Rooted in the teachings of Augustine and developed during the Reformation by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, monergism is a key component of Reformed theology.

Historically, monergism has been affirmed by the Reformed and Calvinist traditions, which emphasize the doctrines of grace, the total depravity of humanity, and the unconditional nature of God’s election. The Synod of Dort further solidified these doctrines in response to the synergistic views of Arminianism.

Theologically, monergism underscores the absolute dependence of humans on God’s grace for salvation, rejecting any notion that human effort or will can contribute to the saving work of God. It emphasizes the doctrines of total depravity, unconditional election, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints.

Practically, monergism provides believers with assurance of salvation, fosters humility and gratitude, and motivates the pursuit of holiness. It reminds Christians that their salvation is entirely the work of God, who is both the author and perfecter of their faith.