IS MONERGISM OR SYNERGISM BIBLICALLY CORRECT?
By Ezekiel Kimosop
This question should perhaps be rephrased: Which between the Monergism and Synergism theories best describes the biblical view of salvation?
My view is that neither of the two terminologies perfectly encapsulates the order of salvation in its exhaustive essence. The Synergistic view is however closer to the revelation of Scripture, in my view. I will defend this view at the concluding section of this article.
Monergism, in Christian theology, is the doctrine that God is the sole agent in salvation, with no human contribution or cooperation. The word monergism is a compound word that derives from the Greek monos (sole) and ergon (work) and refers to a single source acting alone. The Greek root meaning is "one work," signifying that salvation is the sole work of God. It emphasizes that God's grace alone initiates and accomplishes salvation, highlighting the individual's inability to contribute to their own spiritual renewal. Monergism emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty in salvation, asserting that He is the one who initiates and brings about saving faith in individuals.
Monergism attempts to exclusively ascribe the choosing of those to be saved to the operation of God's sovereign grace. It insists that the depraved sinner is unable to come to God unaided and therefore has no responsibility in the salvation process, popularly identified by the Latin acronym Ordo Salutis. Some of the texts of Scripture cited in support of the monergism view include Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29-30; 9:10-13; 16:14-15. Monergism is a soteriological theory embraced by the deterministic soteriology groups.
Synergism is defined as a state in which two or more organisms or substances work together to produce a positive effect that is significantly greater than the sum of their individual effects, as seen in the enhanced efficacy of combined plant extracts compared to their exclusive use. Synergism is derived from the Greek word sunergos which denotes "working together". It is the equivalent of the Latin term synergia. It underscores the view that salvation is the result of the cooperative effort between God and humanity in salvation - that God's grace is effected when the sinner cooperates and responds to God upon his conviction of sin.
The Synergism theory holds that the salvation process involves the operation of God's grace and the cooperation of the sinner in making an informed response to the calling of God in Christ. This is where the synergism concept lies. Synergism recognizes the input of the sinner in the salvation process. Some of the leading Scripture texts cited in this context include John 3:16-17; Acts 2:37-38 16:30-31and Romans 10:5-13.
It is instructive that Monergism and Synergism are theological terms that have been employed in presenting two parallel theological theories that may easily pass for the extreme ends of the soteriological continuum - two abstract suppositional analogies that are diametrically opposed. Neither term exhaustively explains the order of salvation in its divine essence. Each theory represents man's attempt at explaining how God's grace operates in salvation.
Even if, peradventure, it is granted that the two terminologies are theologically admissible for argument sake, the synergistic view of salvation appears to stand out taller. Granted that salvation is exclusively initiated by God, and serves His divine purposes in Christ, it is impossible to discount the view that it contemplates the sinner's response or input. My view is that no text or passage of Scripture demonstrates that God secretly selects some sinners for salvation against their will or knowledge and rejects the rest by deliberately denying them His saving grace. Besides, the mornergistic argument that the sinner's exercise of faith countermands God's sovereignty is theologically inconceivable. Several texts of Scripture including Genesis 2:16-17 reveal that God permits human beings the exercise of free will in their response to God.
In His dealings with Israel, God often laments about His people's decision to abandon their covenant and pleads for their return (cf. Judges 2; Hosea 2). This is evidence that God permits men to exercise free will in their dealing with Him. Obedience to God is informed by a free will choice on man's part. This applies to the sinner's dealing with God in Christ. God's condemnation of sinners in Revelation 20:11-15 is evidence that choices have consequences.
Ephesians 1:4-5 reveals that God chose us [believers, the church] in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world...having predestined us [believers, the church] to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself..." God chose Christ as the instrument by which those who would believer would be chosen. No sinners could have been chosen outside the works of Calvary.
God had determined in His perfect omniscience, foreknowledge, and sovereignty, to save sinful men through Christ at His appointed time when His divine clock synchronized with human history. The statement of Ephesians 1:4-5 is evidence of the futuristic projection of what God sought to accomplish through the incarnate coming of Christ. Nothing in the text suggests or implies that the choosing of sinners in Christ was concluded in eternity past!
The deterministic view appears to be intrinsically warped in a theological labyrinth. In its attempt to deny the sinner's responsibility or role in the salvation process, it invariably buttresses and obscures God's revelation of Himself. God's offer of salvation in Christ is predicated on a free will response from the sinner. To discount this fact is perhaps to deny the revelation and authority of Scripture. On the converse, it is impossible to deny the operation of God's grace in salvation as the pivotal anchor on which the salvation of the sinner stands. Scripture proclaims that the sinner is saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). God alone should receive glory for the works of the cross through which sinful men can be reconciled with a holy and righteous God (Romans 5:8).
Can a sinner reject God's saving grace? Deterministic soteriology adherents would readily respond to this question in the negative. They would argue that God's sovereignty would be placed in doubt if the creature can resist His will! This argument is founded on the presumption that God's invitation is irresistible to those who have been predestined to eternal life and that those who rebel against God were never invited to salvation. This theological inference ignores the countless illustrations in Scripture where men, in the exercise of their of free will decisions, rebelled against God yet a few righteous men such as Noah obeyed the voice of God (Genesis 6:1-8). Adam and Eve fell for Satan's deception and were punished by God. On countless occasions, Israel fell into moral ruin as a nation and God's judgment fell upon them.
Yes, a sinner who hears the gospel proclaimed is at liberty to accept or reject God's invitation in Christ. Scripture conveys the consequences for disobediences. John 3:16-17 reveals that this position is contemplated in the revelation of Scripture. The sinner will however be solely liable for their decision to walk away from God. This is the reason God's judgement is outlined in Revelation 20:11-15.
So which between Monergism and Synergism is biblical? Both theories convey some aspects of biblical truth. Both recognize the operation of God's grace as pivotal to the process of salvation. Monergism however denies human responsibility in salvation.
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2025
