Episode 9: Arminian Counter-Arguments — and Calvinist Responses from Scripture
Episode Focus: Arminian objections, Calvinist responses, biblical theology
Audience: Christians seeking clarity on the Calvinism–Arminianism debate
In this episode, we address several of the most common Arminian objections to Calvinism and examine how Calvinism responds—not with philosophy or speculation—but with Scripture.
This episode is not a polemic against Arminians. Many faithful believers hold Arminian convictions and sincerely desire to honor Christ. The goal here is not to question motives, but to ask a single, foundational question:
What does the Bible actually teach?
Do common Arminian counter-arguments:
Faithfully represent the teaching of Scripture?
Or
Miss key biblical distinctions about grace, sovereignty, and salvation?
God’s will and desire in salvation
Whether election is based on foreseen faith
The biblical silence on prevenient grace
The nature and sincerity of the gospel offer
Human freedom and irresistible grace
God’s sovereignty and the problem of sin
Calvinist Response: Scripture distinguishes between God’s revealed will and His sovereign saving will.
1 Timothy 2:4 — God desires all kinds of people to be saved
2 Peter 3:9 — God’s patience toward His people
John 6:37 — All the Father gives will come to Christ
John 6:39 — Christ loses none of those given to Him
Calvinist Response: Scripture grounds election in God’s purpose and mercy, not human response.
Romans 9:11–13 — Election before works or faith
Romans 9:16 — Salvation depends on God’s mercy
Ephesians 1:4–5 — Chosen before the foundation of the world
Ephesians 2:8–9 — Faith is a gift of grace
Calvinist Response: Scripture teaches effectual grace, not merely enabling grace.
John 6:44 — No one can come unless drawn by the Father
John 6:37 — Those drawn will come
Acts 16:14 — The Lord opens Lydia’s heart
Ezekiel 36:26 — God gives a new heart
Calvinist Response: The gospel is sincere because God commands all to repent and promises salvation to all who come.
Matthew 1:21 — Christ saves His people from their sins
John 10:11 — The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep
Acts 17:30 — God commands all people everywhere to repent
John 6:37 — Whoever comes will never be cast out
Calvinist Response: Scripture defines freedom as liberation from sin, not autonomy from God.
John 8:34 — Slaves to sin
Romans 8:7 — The flesh cannot submit to God
Ezekiel 36:26–27 — God changes the heart
Philippians 2:13 — God works in us to will and to act
Calvinist Response: Scripture affirms God’s holiness and sovereign control without making Him morally responsible for sin.
James 1:13 — God is not the author of evil
Genesis 50:20 — God uses evil intentions for good
Acts 2:23 — God’s sovereign plan carried out by sinful men
Isaiah 10:5–15 — God uses wicked nations without endorsing their sin
Arminian objections often arise from sincere concerns about God’s character, justice, and human responsibility. Calvinism does not dismiss those concerns—it answers them biblically.
Scripture teaches that:
God is sovereign
Humans are morally responsible
Grace is effective
Christ truly saves
God alone receives the glory
As Romans 11:36 declares:
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be glory forever. Amen.”
