Hopkinsian: Discover This Seldom Seen

Discover the deep roots of hopkinsian theology and how it shaped American religious history.

Introduction

The theological framework created by Samuel Hopkins (1721–1803), a well-known American theologian and follower of Jonathan Edwards, within the larger context of New England Calvinism is known as hopkinsian. With its severe views on human depravity, divine sovereignty, and disinterested benevolence, this system—also referred to as hopkinsian Calvinism—represents a fundamental progression of Puritan Reformed philosophy.

By emphasizing moral responsibility, revivalistic passion, and an unwavering dedication to God’s glory, Hopkin sianism aimed to reformulate Calvinist principles. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it had a significant impact on religious life in the United States.

The History of Hopkinsian Theory

Jonathan Edwards was Samuel Hopkins’ teacher, and his works and sermons had a significant impact on his theological perspective. Hopkins carried on his mentor’s legacy after his death by creating a methodical theology that emphasized the need for regeneration, the immorality of human nature, and the self-denial necessary for genuine Christian living.

Hopkins’s seminal work, “System of Doctrines Contained in Divine Revelation” (1793), documented his theological advances. For a new generation of American believers, he redefined orthodox Calvinism in it by providing a thorough understanding of Christian theology.

Fundamental Ideas in Hopkinsian Theology

1. Disinterested Goodwill

Disinterested benevolence, the notion that ultimate virtue entails total selflessness, is one of hopkin sian most characteristic tenets. Hopkins asserts that Christians must put God and others before their own salvation. According to him, self-love—putting one’s own well-being ahead of God’s glory or the welfare of the universe—is the ultimate sin.

According to this theory, salvation must result from a willingness to be damned if doing so would further God’s greater purpose rather than from selfish desire.

2. Complete immorality and depravity

Hopkinsian shared the views of orthodox Calvinists regarding the complete depravity of humanity. They expanded on this idea, however, by claiming that sinners are morally incapable of obeying God because to their willful resistance to God’s will rather than a lack of ability.

This supports the idea that regeneration is an act of God’s sovereignty and that, in its absence, the human will continues to rebel against God’s righteousness.

3. God’s Sovereignty and Unconditional Election

By highlighting that God’s decision to save some people and not others is based only on His almighty will and not on anticipated merit or deeds, Hopkins defended the Calvinist idea of unconditional election. According to this theory, predestination is no longer a severe edict but rather an act of divine justice and grace.

According to hopkin sian, God’s sovereignty is absolute. Even while it is still beyond human comprehension, all action in the universe, including sin, is under His authority and a part of His final design.

4. The Need for Evangelical Compliance

Hopkinsian emphasized the need for human accountability while also highlighting divine sovereignty. A life of dedication, service, and holiness is expected of the regenerated believer. Evangelical obedience is the sign of salvation rather than its cause. This includes actively engaging in social justice initiatives, missionary activity, and the quest for moral purity.

Abolitionism and Hopkinsianism

Hopkins’s groundbreaking opposition to slavery is a noteworthy part of his legacy. Hopkins aggressively supported abolitionist principles and was among the first American theologians to declare slavery to be sinful. One of the first theological denunciations of slavery in North America was found in his essay A Dialogue Concerning the Slavery of the Africans, published in 1776.

Hopkins maintained that the emancipation of slaves was a necessary condition for genuine Christian kindness. hopkin sian was a strong force in the Christian abolitionist movement because many of his adherents continued this tradition into the 19th century.

The Hopkinsian School: Legacy and Influences

Hopkinsian impact extended beyond New England to the larger religious landscape of America. Among Hopkins’s followers, referred to as the New Divinity guys, were well-known theologians like:

• Nathaniel Emmons
  Joseph Bellamy
• Jonathan Edwards Jr.

These figures helped systematize and propagate Hopkins’s ideas through preaching, publications, and theological education. The Hopkin sian school played a key role in shaping the Second Great Awakening, a major religious revival that swept through the United States in the early 1800s.

Criticisms and Controversies

Despite its contributions, hopkin sian attracted significant criticism for its strict moral demands and controversial doctrinal positions. Some theologians accused it of promoting works-based righteousness or fostering emotional extremism.

The idea of “willingness to be damned” was especially contentious. Critics argued that this notion ran contrary to the biblical teaching of hope in Christ and the promise of salvation. Nonetheless, hopkinsian viewed it as a litmus test of true virtue.

The Decline and Enduring Impact of Hopkin Sianism

By the mid-19th century, hopkinsian began to decline as newer theological movements, such as Arminianism, liberal theology, and dispensationalism, gained popularity. However, its legacy endures in several ways:

• Moral reform movements, especially abolitionism and temperance.
  Evangelical revivalism rooted in personal piety and holiness.
• Reformed seminaries that preserved and adapted Hopkinsian insights.

Many modern Reformed and evangelical scholars still study Hopkins for his rigorous moral theology and bold stand against social injustice.

The Use of Hopkin Sianism in Modern Theology

Theologians now reexamine hopkinsian to examine its spiritual intensity and ethical radicalism. Its focus on God’s glory, moral responsibility, and disinterested love is still relevant in conversations about Christian virtue, ethics, and social action.

Although hopkinsian theology as a formal school has waned, its tenets are nevertheless relevant in discussions concerning the place of purity, selflessness, and divine justice in the Christian life today.

FAQs 

1. What is meant by Hopkinsian?

Samuel Hopkins’ theological views, which emphasize unselfish love, complete depravity, and moral responsibility, are referred to as Hopkinsian.

2. Was there a church in Hopkinsianism?

No, it was a theological movement that took place in churches that already existed, particularly in New England.

3. Disinterested benevolence: what is it?

It is the belief that genuine Christian morality is loving God and people without considering one’s own interests.

4. Were the Hopkinsians pro-slavery?

No. Among the first American theologians to openly condemn slavery was Samuel Hopkins.

5. What caused the decrease in Hopkin sianism?

Softer theological movements that placed more emphasis on emotion, free will, and inclusive redemption eventually eclipsed it.

Conclusion 

Despite not being the most widely accepted theology today, hopkinsian is unquestionably one of the most intellectually stimulating and ethically demanding systems in American history. It teaches us to accept our flaws, love without expecting anything in return, and strive for virtue even when it’s difficult. Reading hopkinsian theology is like unlocking a lost book to me; it’s filled with honesty, grit, and a passionate love of truth.