Verse-by-Verse Demolition Series

Every Verse They Throw at You — Answered

Arminians have a handful of go-to verses they cite against the doctrines of grace. Here, we take every single one and demonstrate — exegetically, contextually, grammatically — that these verses actually support Reformed soteriology when properly understood.

9
Demolished
30+
Planned
3
Tiers
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."— 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
Tier 1The "Big Guns" — Verses Arminians Always Use

The heavy artillery. The verses cited most often, most confidently, and most incorrectly against the doctrines of grace.

01
John 3:16 — "For God so loved the WORLD"
"World" (kosmos) doesn't mean every individual without exception
Demolished 02
1 Timothy 2:4 — "God desires ALL to be saved"
Decretive vs. prescriptive will; "all kinds of people"
Demolished 03
2 Peter 3:9 — "Not willing that ANY should perish"
The "you" is the elect; God is patient with His people
Demolished 04
Matthew 23:37 — "How often I would have gathered you"
Jerusalem's leaders vs. their children — two different groups
Demolished 05
Revelation 3:20 — "Behold, I stand at the door and knock"
Written to a CHURCH, not unbelievers
Demolished 06
Acts 7:51 — "You always resist the Holy Spirit"
External call vs. internal/effectual call
Demolished 07
1 John 2:2 — "Propitiation for the whole world"
World vs. Jews only; same author wrote John 10
Demolished
08
Ezekiel 18:23 — "Do I take pleasure in the death of the wicked?"
God's revealed will vs. His decretive will
Coming
09
John 12:32 — "I will draw ALL people to myself"
"All" means all kinds; same draw-word as John 6:44
Coming
Tier 2Secondary Proof Texts

Verses cited less frequently but still used to challenge Reformed theology. Each falls apart under careful exegesis.

10
Hebrews 6:4-6 — "Fallen away"
Tasting vs. eating; external participation vs. regeneration
Coming
11
2 Peter 2:1 — "Denying the Master who bought them"
Corporate vs. individual atonement language
Coming
12
1 Timothy 4:10 — "Savior of all people, especially believers"
General providence vs. saving grace
Coming
13
Deuteronomy 30:19 — "Choose life"
Command does not equal ability
Coming
14
Joshua 24:15 — "Choose this day whom you will serve"
Spoken to covenant people, not about initial salvation
Coming
15
John 1:12 — "To all who received him"
Verse 13: "born not of the will of man, but of God"
Coming
16
Romans 10:9 — "If you confess... you will be saved"
Who enables confession? Philippians 2:13
Coming
17
Titus 2:11 — "The grace of God has appeared to ALL"
Grace appearing does not equal grace saving
Coming
Tier 3The Rest — Every Remaining Proof Text

Every other verse cited against Reformed theology. No stone left unturned.

18
Hebrews 2:9 — "He might taste death for everyone"
"Everyone" = the many sons He brings to glory (v.10)
Coming
19
John 5:40 — "You refuse to come to me"
Willful refusal confirms depravity, not free will
Coming
20
Matthew 11:28 — "Come to me, all who labor"
Invitation given; ability granted only by the Father (v.27)
Coming
21
Mark 16:16 — "Whoever believes and is baptized"
Describes believers; doesn't address who enables belief
Coming
22
Acts 16:31 — "Believe in the Lord Jesus"
Same chapter: God opened Lydia's heart (v.14)
Coming
23
Romans 1:16 — "Power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"
The gospel is powerful — but who grants the believing?
Coming
NewArticle Demolitions — Popular Anti-Reformed Articles Answered

Beyond individual verses, entire articles and essays are written against the doctrines of grace. Here we take the most popular and influential ones and dismantle them point by point with rigorous exegesis.

01
When Philosophy Replaces Exegesis
Dismantling "Orthodoxy and Predestination" — an Orthodox article that cites one verse, six philosophers, and zero Eastern Fathers
Demolished 02
FACTS Check: Dismantling the Arminian Framework
The Society of Evangelical Arminians' FACTS acronym — prevenient grace, universal atonement, conditional election — dismantled point by point with Greek exegesis
Demolished
NewObjections Answered — Common Theological Objections Dismantled

The most common objections to the doctrines of grace answered with Scripture, logic, and the witness of church history.

01
"Does Predestination Make God the Author of Sin?"
Primary vs. secondary causation, WCF 3.1, and 5 biblical examples where God ordained evil for good
Answered 02
"If God Predestined Everything, Why Command Anything?"
God ordains both the ends AND the means — election is the engine of evangelism
Answered
03
"What About the Person Who Never Heard?"
Romans 1, general vs. special revelation, and the justice of God
Coming
04
"Did Jesus Die for Everyone?"
Definite atonement — for whom did Christ actually secure redemption?
Coming
05
"Doesn't Election Make Evangelism Pointless?"
Election as the engine of evangelism — from Carey to the ends of the earth
Coming
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."— Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

Deepen Your Understanding

God Desires All Men to Be Saved

1 Timothy 2:4 — A foundational text in the debate on divine will and human salvation.

The Patience of God and His Not Willing Any to Perish

2 Peter 3:9 — Understanding the true meaning of divine patience and preference.

The Propitiation for the Whole World

1 John 2:2 — Christ's universal sufficiency and particular efficacy examined.

God So Loved the World

John 3:16 — Perhaps the most misquoted verse in Scripture, properly interpreted.

Is God the Author of Sin?

Address a primary objection and understand God's sovereignty in relation to sin.

If Predestined, Why Command?

A classic objection answered—God ordains both the ends and the means.