Perhaps it is because "Calvinism" and "Hyper-Calvinism" sound similar, many think they are the same thing. They are not. The one is the truth taught in Holy Scripture (Calvinism), and the other is a lie that comes from hell (Hyper-Calvinism).
Often when a non-Calvinist speaks critically of Calvinism, they are speaking of Hyper-Calvinism, and not Biblical Calvinism. Here is what Pastor Charles Spurgeon has to say about the heresy called Hyper-Calvinism:
“I do not believe in the way in which some people pretend to preach the gospel. They have no gospel for sinners as sinners, but only for those who are above the dead level of sinnership. And are technically styled, sensible sinners. Like the priest in [the parable of the Good Samaritan], they see the poor sinner and they say, 'He is not conscious of his need, we cannot invite him to Christ.” 'He is dead,' they say, 'It is of no use preaching to dead souls;' So they pass by to the other side, keeping close to the elect and quickened, but having nothing whatsoever to say to the dead, lest they should make out Christ to be too gracious, and His mercy to be too free...I have known ministers say, 'Well, you know, we ought to describe the sinner's state, and warn him, but we must not invite him to Christ. Yes gentlemen, you must pass by on the other side, after having looked at him, for on your own confession you have no good news for the poor wretch. I bless my Lord and Master he has given me a gospel which I can take to dead sinners, a gospel which is available for the vilest of the vile.” (from The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain Murray)
Recommended reading/listening (my post):
The Five Points of Calvinism
