Calvinism’s Proof Texts

Calvinism’s Proof Texts

The passages collected below are Scriptures regularly appealed to in support of Calvinist theology. They are organized according to the doctrines or theological claims for which they are commonly used. Some passages appear under more than one heading because Calvinists may appeal to the same passage in support of more than one doctrine.

The purpose of this collection is not to provide the complete examination of each passage on this page. Instead, each Scripture reference serves as a doorway to the Bible commentary or article where that passage is examined in its biblical context. The question throughout is not whether Calvinism can cite a verse in support of a doctrine, but whether the verse, examined within its immediate context and the whole counsel of Scripture, actually establishes the theological conclusion being drawn from it.

Total Depravity and Total Inability

• Click here to see: John 1:9–13
• Click here to see: John 3:16–21
• Click here to see: John 5:26–27, 40
• Click here to see: John 6:22–40
• Click here to see: John 6:65
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 3:9-20
• Click here to see: 1 Corinthians 2:14
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Ephesians 2:1-9

Unconditional Election and God’s Choosing

• Click here to see: John 6:37–40
• Click here to see: John 6:44–45
• Click here to see: John 6:65
• Click here to see: John 17:2, 6, 8–9, 22, 24
• Click here to see: Acts 13:48
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 8:28-30
• Click here to see: Ephesians 1:3–14
• Click here to see: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14
• Click here to see: 1 Peter 1:1–2

Foreknowledge

• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 8:29-30
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 11:2
• Click HERE For Commentary On: 1 Peter 1:2
• Click HERE For Commentary On: 1 Peter 1:20

Predestination

• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 4:27-28
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 8:29-30
• Click HERE For Commentary On: 1 Corinthians 2:7
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Ephesians 1:5
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Ephesians 1:11

Effectual Calling and Irresistible Grace

• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 6:37
• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 6:44-45
• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 6:65
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 13:48
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 1:6-7
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 8:30
• Click HERE For Commentary On: 2 Thessalonians 2:14

God’s Sovereignty, Divine Decree, and Determination

• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 4:27-28
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 8:28
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 9:6-24
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Ephesians 1:11

Hardening

• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 12:39-40
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Romans 9:17-18

Human Response and Resistance to God

• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 3:16-21
• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 5:40
• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 7:37
• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 12:32
• Click HERE For Commentary On: John 20:30-31
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 7:51
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 13:42-52
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 16:6-10
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Acts 17:30

Israel, Election, and the Remnant

• Click HERE For Commentary On: Genesis 25:23
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Exodus 33:19
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Jeremiah 18:1-10
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Malachi 1:2-3

The Book of Life, Election, and Preservation

• Click HERE For Commentary On: Exodus 32:32-33
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Psalm 69:28
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Philippians 4:3
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Revelation 3:5
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Revelation 13:8
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Revelation 17:8
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Revelation 20:12-15
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Revelation 21:27
• Click HERE For Commentary On: Revelation 22:19