Episode Focus: The gospel invitation, human will, God’s sovereignty
Audience: Christians who believe “whosoever will” contradicts Calvinism

One of the most frequently raised objections to Calvinism is the appeal to verses that say “whoever believes” or “whosoever will may come.” Many Christians assume these passages contradict the doctrines of grace—especially election and irresistible grace.

In Episode 7 of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, we examine what Scripture actually means by “whosoever will.” By letting the Bible interpret itself, we show that the universal gospel invitation and God’s sovereign grace are not in conflict, but work together in God’s plan of salvation.

Do passages that say “whoever believes”:

• Teach that human will is the decisive factor in salvation?
  Or

• Affirm a universal gospel invitation that only God’s grace enables sinners to accept?

• Where the phrase “whosoever will” appears in Scripture

• The difference between the gospel invitation and human ability

• Why Scripture says no one seeks God apart from grace

• How God makes sinners willing to come to Christ

• How divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist

• John 3:16 — Whoever believes will have eternal life

• Revelation 22:17 — Let the one who desires take the water of life

• Isaiah 55:1 — Come, everyone who thirsts

• Matthew 11:28 — Come to Me, all who labor

• Romans 3:10–11 — No one seeks for God

• John 6:44 — No one can come unless the Father draws him

• John 8:34 — Slaves to sin

• Romans 8:7 — The flesh does not submit to God

• John 6:37 — All the Father gives will come

• Ezekiel 36:26 — God gives a new heart

• John 3:3–8 — Born again by the Spirit

• Acts 16:14 — The Lord opened Lydia’s heart

• Philippians 2:13 — God works in us to will and to act

• John 6:37 — Whoever comes will not be cast out

• Romans 9:16 — Salvation depends on God’s mercy

• Acts 17:30 — God commands all people everywhere to repent

“Whosoever will” does not contradict Calvinism.

Scripture teaches that:

• The gospel invitation is genuine and universal

• Anyone who comes to Christ will be saved

• The reason anyone wills to come is because God first works in the heart

Grace does not close the door to sinners—it opens blind eyes so they willingly walk through it.

Episode Summary

In this supplemental episode, we address a common objection to the doctrine of Irresistible Grace by comparing two encounters with Jesus: the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus the tax collector. Both men encountered Christ, but only one experienced saving grace. Scripture reveals that the difference lies not in human willingness, but in God’s sovereign, effectual call.

• Luke 18:18–23 – The Rich Young Ruler

• Luke 19:1–10 – Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

• John 6:37

• John 6:44

• John 6:65

• Ezekiel 36:26–27

• Romans 8:7–8

• Ephesians 2:1–5

• 1 Corinthians 1:23–24

• External call vs. effectual call

• Human inability and spiritual bondage

• Christ’s sovereign initiative in salvation

• Grace that transforms the heart

• Salvation as mercy, not obligation

“Irresistible Grace does not mean no one resists God—it means no one resists God when He gives a new heart.”

The Closet Calvinist Podcast

Episode 6: Is Calvinism Fair? What About God’s Justice?

Episode Focus: God’s justice, fairness, mercy, grace, election
Audience: Christians wrestling with questions of fairness and divine sovereignty

One of the most emotionally charged objections to Calvinism is the question of fairness. Many people ask whether it is just for God to choose some for salvation and not others, and whether election makes God unjust.

In Episode 6 of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, we examine what Scripture actually teaches about fairness, justice, and mercy. Rather than asking whether Calvinism is fair by human standards, this episode asks a deeper biblical question: What do sinners truly deserve—and what does grace really mean?

Is Calvinism:

• Unfair and unjust?
  Or

• A biblical explanation of God’s mercy toward undeserving sinners?

• How modern ideas of “fairness” differ from biblical justice

• Why Scripture never describes salvation as something God owes

• Paul’s direct response to the fairness objection in Romans 9

• Why mercy, by definition, cannot be demanded

• The difference between justice and grace

• How God’s justice and mercy meet perfectly at the cross

• Deuteronomy 32:4 — All God’s ways are just

• Psalm 89:14 — Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne

• Romans 9:14 — “Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!”

• Romans 3:10–12 — No one is righteous

• Romans 3:23 — All have sinned

• Romans 6:23 — The wages of sin is death

• Exodus 33:19 — God has mercy on whom He has mercy

• Romans 9:15–16 — Mercy depends on God, not human will or effort

• Ephesians 2:8–9 — Salvation by grace, not works

• Matthew 20:1–15 — The parable of the laborers in the vineyard

• Job 41:11 — Who has a claim against God?

• Isaiah 55:8–9 — God’s ways higher than human ways

• Romans 3:24–26 — God is just and the justifier

• Isaiah 53:5–6 — Christ bears the punishment for sinners

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 — Christ was made sin for us

Calvinism is unfair.

If God were fair, every sinner would receive judgment. The wonder of the gospel is not that God does not save everyone—but that He saves anyone at all.

Grace is not something God owes.
Mercy is not something sinners deserve.
Salvation is a gift—freely given and sovereignly bestowed.