monergistic

Monergistic is an adjective describing a doctrinal position in Christian soteriology that asserts God alone is the author and efficient cause of salvation. The term derives from the Greek mono- meaning "one" and ergon meaning "work," and is typically contrasted with synergistic systems, which hold that divine grace and human response cooperate in salvation.

In monergism, regeneration, faith, conversion, and perseverance are viewed as actions of God’s grace active in individuals, rather than outcomes produced by human effort. While believers may respond in faith, that faith itself is regarded as a gift or effect of divine initiative, not a human achievement. Monergism is most closely associated with Reformational and Calvinist traditions, which emphasize doctrines such as total depravity, unconditional election, and irresistible grace as defining features of God’s sovereign work of salvation.

In contrast, synergistic frameworks hold that God’s grace cooperates with human freedom or effort to accomplish salvation, making human response and cooperation essential components. Arminianism and many Catholic and Orthodox positions articulate some form of synergy, though there are variations in how grace and freedom are understood.

Critics of monergism argue that it risks underemphasizing human responsibility and can imply deterministic beliefs about belief. Proponents contend that it safeguards divine sovereignty, clarifies the scope of grace, and explains why salvation is viewed as entirely a work of God.

See also concepts such as synergism, predestination, irresistible grace, and Calvinism for related discussions.