The Closet Calvinist Podcast

Episode 32 — Does Joshua 24:15 Refute Election? Description “Choose this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua 24:15 This verse is frequently quoted as proof that salvation ultimately depends on human choice. But does Joshua 24:15 actually refute the doctrine of election? In this episode, we examine the verse in its full covenant context and discover that it does not contradict election at all. In fa...

Bonus Episode 18: Refuting the Prescient ViewEpisode Description Many Christians reject Calvinism because they believe God's election is based on His foreknowledge of who will believe. This is commonly known as the Prescient View. According to this position, God looked down through time, saw who would freely choose Christ, and then elected those individuals to salvation. But is that what Scrip...

Episode 31 — Limited Atonement: But Who Does the Limiting—God or Man? Description Is the atonement limited? Every theological system answers yes. The real question is not whether the atonement is limited—but who does the limiting . Did Christ actually secure salvation for a definite people? Or did He merely make salvation possible, leaving its effectiveness up to human decision? In this episode, w...

Bonus Episode 17 Does Universalism Kill Evangelism? One of the most common criticisms of Calvinism is that the doctrine of election supposedly makes evangelism unnecessary. After all, if God has chosen His people before the foundation of the world, why preach the gospel? But is that objection really valid? In this episode, we examine a much bigger challenge to evangelism: universalism. If all peop...

Episode 30 — Faith Is a Gift Why Scripture Teaches Monergism, Not Synergism Description Is faith something we produce—or something God gives? In this episode, we examine whether salvation is monergistic (the work of one—God alone) or synergistic (a cooperative effort between God and man). Scripture repeatedly presents faith not as the cause of regeneration, but as its result. We explore key passag...

Bonus Episode 16: Why I Am Not a Pietist In this bonus episode, I explain why I do not identify as a Pietist, despite affirming the importance of prayer, Bible reading, personal devotion, and holiness. While Christians should pursue godliness, our assurance must never be grounded in our feelings, experiences, or spiritual performance. Instead, our confidence rests entirely in the finished work of...

Episode 29 — Does 1 Timothy 2:4 Refute Election? Description One of the most frequently cited verses against the doctrine of election is 1 Timothy 2:4 , where Paul says God “desires all people to be saved.” Many assume this verse settles the debate and proves that God chooses everyone equally and leaves the final decision to man. In this episode, we examine 1 Timothy 2:4 in its immediate context ,...

Bonus Episode 15: Does Titus 2:12 Refute Total Depravity? Many critics of Calvinism point to Titus 2:12 and claim that if God's grace teaches people to deny ungodliness, then total depravity cannot be true. In this episode, we examine the context of Titus 2 and discover that Paul is not describing the natural ability of fallen sinners but the transforming work of God's saving grace in beli...

Special Episode: Why I Don't Participate in Formal Theological Debates Episode Description In this special episode of The Closet Calvinist Podcast, Mike addresses a question that occasionally arises among listeners and fellow believers: Why don't you participate in formal theological debates? This episode is not a criticism of debate or those who are gifted in that area of ministry. Rather...

Episode 28 — Did God Choose You—or Did You Choose God? A Study of 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Description In this episode, we examine 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and address one of the most important questions in salvation theology: Who is the decisive actor in salvation—God or man? The Apostle Paul gives thanks to God—not to believers—for their salvation. That gratitude reveals the true cause behind faith, bel...

Episode Title: Bonus Episode 14: Does Jesus Teach Gnosticism in Matthew 13? Episode Summary: In this follow-up to Bonus Episode 13, Mike examines Matthew 13:10-11 and addresses the claim that Jesus' reference to the "secrets of the kingdom" resembles Gnosticism. By exploring the biblical meaning of mystery, the purpose of parables, and God's role in granting spiritual understandi...

Episode 27 — Who Did the Choosing? A Study of 1 Peter 2:9 Description In this episode, we take a close look at 1 Peter 2:9 and ask a foundational question: Who did the choosing—God or man? Many Christians assume salvation begins with a human decision. But when we let Scripture speak for itself, a different picture emerges—one where God’s sovereign choice precedes faith, calling, and belief. This e...

Bonus Episode 13: Is Calvinism the Doctrine of Fate from the Gnostics? A social media comment claimed that Calvinism is "the doctrine of fate from the gnostics." In this episode, we examine that claim biblically and historically. What was Gnosticism? Is God's sovereignty the same as fate? And does Scripture teach election and predestination? Topics Covered What Gnosticism actually ta...

The Closet Calvinist Podcast Episode 26: Why Doesn’t God Choose His Elect at Birth? Episode Focus: Election, timing of salvation, eternal decree vs. temporal conversion Audience: Christians who believe God waits until adulthood or belief to choose His people A common assumption about election is that God chooses people at some point in their life —often when they reach adulthood, maturity, or make...

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...

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 a...

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” T...

🎙️ 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 text...

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!” (...

Episode 23: “One Has Died for All” — Does 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 Refute Limited Atonement? Episode Length: ~45–60 minutes Episode Focus: Atonement, biblical interpretation, “all” language in Scripture Audience: Christians wrestling with Limited (Definite) Atonement One of the most frequently cited objections to Limited Atonement comes from 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 , where Paul writes that “one has die...

Bonus Episode 9: If God Is Sovereign, Why Is There Evil? Is God the Author of Sin? Key Question If God is sovereign, why does evil exist? Is God the author of sin? Divine Sovereignty Human Responsibility Secondary Causes God’s Holiness The Problem of Evil Isaiah 46:9–10 Ephesians 1:11 Proverbs 16:33 James 1:13 1 John 1:5 Acts 2:23 Acts 4:27–28 Genesis 50:20 Romans 9:22–23 John Calvin Martin Luther...

The Closet Calvinist Podcast Episode 22: “Not Wishing That Any Should Perish” — Does 2 Peter 3:9 Refute Election? Episode Focus: Election, God’s will, divine patience, biblical interpretation Primary Text: 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) Audience: Christians confused by apparent tension between God’s patience and sovereign election One of the most frequently quoted verses against the doctrine of election is 2 P...

Why the Church Must Defend the Faith (and Why It Doesn’t) In this bonus episode, we examine the biblical necessity of apologetics and why it is often neglected in today’s church. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) and a key insight from Van Til’s Apologetic , we show that defending the Christian faith is not optional—it is a responsibility given to every believer, and especially to church leaders. We...

Episode 69: What Comes First—Faith or Regeneration? (John 3) Does faith produce new birth, or does new birth produce faith? Special thanks to my friend and brother in Christ John L of the Reformed Reference Podcast. Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xnDbJFrb1gpwHfyEabZoG John 3:3–8 Ephesians 2:1–5 Romans 8:7–8 1 John 5:1 James 1:18 1 Peter 1:23 Romans 10:17 John 5:25 John 11 Regene...

Episode 21: Would Heaven Still Be Heaven If My Loved Ones Are Not There? Episode Focus: Election, heaven, justice, love, assurance Audience: Christians wrestling emotionally with the doctrine of election and the fate of loved ones In Episode 21, we address one of the most personal and emotionally difficult questions raised against the doctrine of election: “If I am elected by God for eternal life,...