What is hypothetical universalism?

Whosoever Will, Not For Ours Only: A real strand within the Reformed tradition, sometimes called classic-moderate Calvinism or hypothetical universalism, holds that Christ satisfied for the sins of all men. The British delegation at Dort held it. Louis Le Blanc, the Leiden theologians, and Barthold Holtzfus all worked in this seam. On that account the satisfaction is universal and the application is particular. So the fork is not whether Christ died for all. It is the intent behind the satisfaction. On the Reformed account, including the moderate one, God desires the salvation of all men but unequally, and especially intends the salvation of those unconditionally appointed to receive faith. On mine, God desires the salvation of all men equally, antecedent to faith, considering man simply as a sinner. Consequently He saves those who are in Christ through faith.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-18.