Monergism

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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 1 Origins 2 Opposition to monergism 3 Monergism in Islam 4 Sources 5 External links

[edit] 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, in opposition to a doctrine of synergism which is purported to be the position of the Roman Catholic Church¹. However, the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church states,

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.²

But the Catechism of the Catholic Church goes on to state:

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. ³

Therefore, by the official words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church the official teaching of the Catholic Church is that of synergism.

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

[edit] Opposition to monergism

Opponents of Monergism claim that it 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 we cannot have an influence in our own personal salvation. What is the point on living in a godly way and obey the God's laws, if we cannot by any measure have any influence on our eternal fate? Wouldn't it be far more reasonable to live under our carnal instincts and desires and commit sin at will, since the outcome is anyway the same whether we obey the law or not? This question was first presented by Pelagius who was later deemed a heretic at the Council of Ephesus in 431. Augustine presented a series of rebuttals against the teachings of Pelagianism beginning in AD 411, although there is some dispute as to whether or not the questions had been answered properly.

Another argument against Monergisim is that Monergism 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. Many Monergist orientations, such as Calvinism, imply that indeed is the question: only God knows the saved and the reprobated, and the human being can by no means have any information of his or her eventual fate.

What opponents of monergism fail to answer though, is how an individuals works bring about salvation and yet salvation is at the same time not by works. Usually opponents of monergism reject the solas principle altogether and rather rely either on synergism or voluntarism.

[edit] Monergism in Islam

Monergism is the canonized doctrine in Islam, and it is mentioned in several passages in the Qur'an, the best known being S. 14:4 “Allah leads astray whomsoever He will and guides whomsoever he will”. Combined with the doctrines of predestination and kismet, Islam is a strongly Monergist religion. As the opponents of Monergism have pointed, this has indeed led into deep Fatalism in the Islamic countries. When a muslim says Insha'Allah, he implies "may the God's will happen"; likewise bismillah implies "it is all in God's hands", leaving no leeway on subject's own will or actions. The only exception on Monergism on salvation in Islam is jihad; by dying in the Holy War for Islam, anyone can enter the Paradise at will.

Unlike in Christianity, the Islamic Monergism does not imply monergism of grace, but monergism of God's will.

[edit] Sources

1. D W H Arnold and C G Fry, The Way, the Truth, and the Life: An Introduction to Lutheran Christianity; J T Mueller, Christian Dogmatics; L Berkhof, Systematic Theology.
2. CCC 2010
3. CCC 2010

[edit] External links

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