The heresy of "Hyper-Grace" is a contemporary theological movement that emphasizes God’s grace to such an extent that it downplays or even dismisses the need for repentance, confession of sins, and moral responsibility in the Christian life. Hyper-grace proponents teach that, because believers are forgiven through Christ, there is no need to repent of sins once saved, as all past, present, and future sins are already covered. This teaching often leads to an antinomian outlook, suggesting that ethical conduct is irrelevant to the Christian faith since grace “covers all.” This view is at odds with the historic Christian understanding of sanctification and the necessity of ongoing repentance in the believer’s life.
History of the Hyper-Grace Movement
The hyper-grace movement gained traction in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, largely through the teachings of charismatic and popular evangelical leaders who emphasized radical grace in a way that appeals to those frustrated with legalistic or works-based approaches to Christianity. Although the term “hyper-grace” is relatively new, similar ideas have appeared throughout church history. For example, early Gnostic heresies and antinomian movements during the Reformation era similarly asserted that grace nullifies any ethical or moral obligation for Christians. More recent proponents like Joseph Prince, Charles Stanley, Paul Ellis, and Andrew Farley have popularized these ideas, often emphasizing freedom from the “law” in ways that remove any call to self-examination or personal repentance.
Theology of Hyper-Grace and Eternal Security
Hyper-grace proponents affirm the doctrine of eternal security—the belief that once a person is saved, they cannot lose their salvation. However, they often abuse this doctrine by using it to justify the absence of moral accountability and ongoing sanctification. In their view, any need for repentance, confession, or struggle against sin after salvation implies doubt in the sufficiency of God’s grace and contradicts the assurance of eternal security. This mindset contrasts starkly with the biblical doctrine of perseverance of the saints, as affirmed in historic Reformed theology. Perseverance of the saints teaches that while God secures believers’ salvation, those truly saved will demonstrate the evidence of faith through a transformed life and the pursuit of holiness (Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:14-26). Thus, perseverance entails both divine security and human responsibility, whereby believers actively grow in grace and holiness, led by the Spirit.
Hyper-grace theology often reinterprets sin as irrelevant to a believer’s standing with God, undermining the biblical call to holiness (1 Peter 1:16). For example, Joseph Prince has argued that a focus on repentance distracts from the freedom believers have in Christ, while Charles Stanley has promoted a “once saved, always saved” doctrine that sometimes downplays the necessity of daily repentance and sanctification. Andrew Farley and Paul Ellis similarly teach that Christ’s finished work on the cross nullifies any further need for self-examination and personal repentance. This teaching creates a skewed understanding of grace that, contrary to scriptural warnings (e.g., Hebrews 12:14), disregards the process of sanctification as an essential part of the Christian journey.
Orthodox Christian Response
Historically, the church has upheld a balanced view of grace and responsibility. Scripture presents grace not as a license to sin but as the foundation for a transformed life. Paul, addressing a potential misunderstanding of grace, asks, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!" (Romans 6:1-2). The Westminster Confession, for instance, teaches that believers, justified by grace, are called to a life of gratitude and holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Perseverance of the saints means that believers are eternally secure in God’s hands, but their lives will reflect the fruits of salvation, which include repentance, growth in righteousness, and active resistance to sin.
Hyper-grace theology, by ignoring the need for repentance and sanctification, contradicts this orthodox teaching. True grace, as understood by historic Christianity, transforms believers, leading them to live lives that reflect God’s holiness. Jesus is not only our justification, covering the penalty of our sins, but also our sanctification, delivering us from the power of sin over our lives. Any theology that fails to acknowledge both aspects of Christ’s saving work is promoting an incomplete gospel, neglecting the fullness of His redemptive work. Far from negating the need for repentance, genuine grace empowers believers to continually turn to God, deepen in faith, and grow in righteousness. As Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).