The Closet Calvinist Podcast

Bonus Episode 12 - Pascal’s Wager — Can You Bet Your Way Into Heaven?

Bonus Episode 12 - Pascal’s Wager — Can You Bet Your Way Into Heaven? In this episode, we examine Blaise Pascal’s famous argument known as Pascal’s Wager. Pascal argued that believing in God is the most rational decision because if God exists, the reward is eternal life, and if He does not, little is lost. But can this kind of reasoning produce saving faith? From a Reformed perspective, the answer is no. Faith is not the result of a risk assessment; it is the gift of God to spiritually dead sinners whom He sovereignly regenerates and draws to Christ. * Ephesians 2:8–9 * Philippians 1:29 * 1 Corinthians 2:14 * Ephesians 2:1 * John 6:37 * John 6:44 * John 6:65 * Ezekiel 36:26 * John 3:3 * Hebrews 11:6 * Acts 16:31 * John Calvin * Charles Spurgeon Pascal’s Wager may prompt a person to think seriously about eternity, but only the sovereign grace of God can bring a sinner to genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is not a bet. Faith is a gift.

“I Will Draw All People to Myself” — John 12:32 and the Doctrine of Election

The Closet Calvinist Podcast Episode 25: “I Will Draw All People to Myself” — John 12:32 and the Doctrine of Election Episode Focus: Election, effectual calling, the meaning of “all” in Scripture Audience: Christians who believe John 12:32 refutes Calvinism or Irresistible Grace One of the most frequently quoted verses against the doctrine of election is John 12:32, where Jesus says, “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Many assume this means every individual is drawn to Christ in the same saving way—thereby denying election. In Episode 25 of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, we examine this passage in its immediate context, its use of language, and its harmony with the rest of John’s Gospel. By allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, we show that this verse does not refute election but instead affirms the global scope of Christ’s redemptive work. All Scripture references in this episode are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Does John 12:32 teach that: * Christ draws every individual without exception? Or * Christ draws all kinds of people—Jews and Gentiles alike—according to God’s sovereign purpose? * The immediate context of John 12 and the arrival of Gentiles * How Scripture uses the word “all” (all without exception vs. all without distinction) * What “draw” means elsewhere in John’s Gospel * Why drawing in John is effectual, not merely invitational * The global scope of redemption versus universal salvation * How election guarantees the success of the gospel mission * John 12:32 — “I will draw all people to myself” * John 12:20–24 — Greeks seek Jesus; the scope of redemption widens * John 12:27–33 — Jesus speaks of His death and its purpose * Matthew 28:19 — All nations * Revelation 5:9 — Every tribe, language, people, and nation * Titus 2:11 — Grace appearing to all people (all kinds) * John 6:37 — All the Father gives will come * John 6:44 — No one can come unless drawn by the Father * John 6:65 — Coming to Christ granted by the Father * John 10:14–16 — Christ lays down His life for the sheep, including “other sheep” * Romans 8:30 — Those called are justified * Acts 13:48 — Appointed to eternal life believed John 12:32 does not teach universal salvation or deny election. Instead, it proclaims that Christ’s death will draw God’s people from every nation, not Israel only. The verse speaks to the scope of redemption, not the mechanism of salvation. Christ does not merely attempt to draw sinners—He effectually draws all whom the Father has given Him. The cross does not make salvation possible; it accomplishes salvation. Election is not threatened by John 12:32. It is confirmed by it. * Episode 24: Can God’s Grace Be Resisted? — Acts 7:51 & Matthew 23:37–39 * Episode 26: Why Doesn’t God Choose His Elect at Birth? * Episode 30: Faith Is a Gift — Monergism vs. Synergism

Bonus Episode 11 — What Killed Doctrinal Preaching?

Bonus Episode 11 — What Killed Doctrinal Preaching? In this bonus episode of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, Mike Gaudiosi examines the decline of doctrinal preaching in modern churches and asks the important question: What killed doctrinal preaching? This episode discusses: * The rise of entertainment-driven churches * Why many pastors avoid controversial doctrine * Paul’s warning about “itching ears” * The danger of man-centered Christianity * Why doctrine is essential to spiritual growth * The importance of returning to expositional preaching * 2 Timothy 4:1–4 * Galatians 1:10 * Acts 2:42 * Acts 20:27 * Hosea 4:6 * Jeremiah 6:14 * Matthew 10:34 * John 21:17 Charles Spurgeon: “The coals of orthodoxy are necessary to the fire of piety.” Thank you for listening to The Closet Calvinist Podcast.

Can God’s Grace Be Resisted? — Acts 7:51 & Matthew 23:37–39

🎙️ The Closet Calvinist Podcast Episode 24: Can God’s Grace Be Resisted? — Acts 7:51 & Matthew 23:37–39 Episode Focus: Resistible vs. irresistible grace, gospel call, human responsibility Audience: Christians who believe these passages refute Irresistible Grace Two of the most frequently cited passages against the doctrine of Irresistible Grace are Acts 7:51 and Matthew 23:37–39. In both texts, people appear to resist God—leading many to conclude that God’s saving grace can be finally thwarted by human will. In Episode 24 of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, we examine these passages carefully in their historical, literary, and theological context. By distinguishing between the external call of the gospel and the effectual call of God, we show that these verses do not refute irresistible grace—but instead clarify how God’s grace operates in Scripture. All Scripture references in this episode are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Do Acts 7:51 and Matthew 23:37–39 teach that: * God’s saving grace can be finally resisted? Or * People can resist God’s external call while God’s effectual grace remains victorious? * The difference between the outward call of the gospel and inward regeneration * What it means to “resist the Holy Spirit” in Acts 7 * Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem and the nature of His desire in Matthew 23 * Why resisting God’s commands is not the same as resisting God’s saving decree * How Scripture holds human responsibility and divine sovereignty together * Why irresistible grace does not mean forced or coercive grace * Acts 7:51 — “You always resist the Holy Spirit” * Matthew 23:37–39 — Jesus laments over Jerusalem’s unwillingness * Isaiah 65:2 — God holds out His hands to a rebellious people * Matthew 22:14 — Many are called, but few are chosen * Hebrews 3:7–8 — Warning against hardening the heart * John 6:37 — All the Father gives will come * John 6:44 — No one can come unless drawn by the Father * Romans 8:30 — Those called are also justified * Acts 13:46 — People judge themselves unworthy of eternal life * Luke 19:41–44 — Jesus weeps over Jerusalem’s rejection * John 5:40 — “You refuse to come to me that you may have life” * Isaiah 46:9–10 — God’s purpose will stand * Job 42:2 — No purpose of God can be thwarted * Romans 9:19–21 — Who can resist His will? Acts 7:51 and Matthew 23:37–39 do not teach that God’s saving grace can be finally defeated by human resistance. Scripture clearly teaches that: * People can and do resist God’s commands, prophets, and external gospel call * God’s effectual grace, however, always accomplishes its saving purpose * God changes hearts rather than merely persuading them Irresistible grace does not mean people are dragged unwillingly to Christ. It means God so changes the heart that sinners willingly come. Grace is not coercive. Grace is victorious.

Bonus Episode #10 Psalm 81:13 and Irresistible Grace: Does God’s Lament Refute Calvinism?

Bonus Episode #10 Psalm 81:13 and Irresistible Grace: Does God’s Lament Refute Calvinism? In this bonus episode of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, Mike G. examines Book of Psalms and answers a common objection to the Reformed doctrine of irresistible grace. Some claim that Psalm 81:13 disproves Calvinism because God says: “Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!” (ESV) Does this mean God sincerely desires to save people who ultimately resist Him? Does this imply that His grace can fail? In this episode, we show why the answer is no. Psalm 81 is a covenantal lament in which God expresses His grief over Israel’s persistent rebellion. The passage reveals God's moral delight in obedience and the blessings that would have followed had Israel listened to Him. This verse does not describe a frustrated deity whose sovereign purposes are thwarted. Rather, it reflects the distinction between: * God’s Revealed (Preceptive) Will — what God commands and delights in * God’s Secret (Decretive) Will — what God has sovereignly ordained to come to pass The doctrine of irresistible grace teaches that when God purposes to save His elect, the Holy Spirit effectually changes their hearts so that they willingly and joyfully come to Christ. * Book of Psalms * Gospel of John * Gospel of John * Gospel of John * Book of Ezekiel * Epistle to the Romans * Book of Isaiah * Epistle to the Ephesians * Acts of the Apostles * Epistle to the Romans Psalm 81:13 expresses God’s holy displeasure over Israel’s disobedience, not a failure of His sovereign will. Israel “would not submit” to God. Their rebellion was deliberate and culpable. God does not merely invite sinners; He regenerates them, giving them a new heart that gladly responds to Christ. “All that the Father gives me will come to me.” (John 6:37) Calvin taught that passages like Psalm 81:13 reveal God’s fatherly kindness and man’s guilt, not any weakness in God’s sovereign power. When God changes the heart, Christ becomes the soul’s greatest desire. “Give what You command, and command what You will.” “God does not merely make salvation possible—He effectually saves His people.” Psalm 81:13 does not refute irresistible grace. Instead, it highlights: * God’s genuine delight in obedience * Humanity’s responsibility for rebellion * The necessity of sovereign grace * The certainty of God’s saving purpose