If anything affecting someone’s salvation can be finally controlled by the action, inaction, or governing parameters of God, then God is ultimately sovereign over salvation, and Calvinism is essentially true. In other words, if we prod into the reasons for someone’s salvation, and the conversation ends up with a statement beginning with “because God…”, Calvinism is essentially true.
An example conversation between a Calvinist (C) and an Arminian (A) might go something like this:
A: The disciples had the free will to embrace the finished work of Jesus.
C: Because God, at His own discretion, opened their eyes to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
A: But their free will was the operative means after that illumination. They still could have rejected him.
C: Because God is omnipotent, He can override any creature’s rebellious will at any moment if He so chooses. He overruled Balaam’s intention to curse Israel and made him bless them instead (Num. 22–24). If any of the disciples would have continued to resist, God could have given them a Saul-of-Tarsus-level blinding light experience. Free will is not sacred—God overrides it when He pleases.
A: But wouldn’t that make obedience robotic rather than free?
C: Not at all. God defines what true freedom is, beyond any human-imposed definitions. The unaided human will is actually enslaved by sin, not free. In Heaven, our will has its greatest freedom. Without the influence of the world, flesh, and the devil, the desire to sin will be absent. Therefore, the ability to choose evil isn’t necessary for genuine love or obedience.
A: But what if even a Saul-of-Tarsus-level blinding light experience couldn’t open the disciples’ eyes?
C: If God cannot exert a level of persuasion that is guaranteed to be effective, then He is not omnipotent. But to entertain your hypothesis, let me ask you a question. Do you believe that those who die before the age of accountability go to heaven?
A: Yes
C: And you believe that God has the power to take anyone’s physical life at any moment?
A: Yes
C: Then surely you agree that God could take the life of anyone prematurely to ensure they make it to Heaven.
A: Ok, fine. Then let’s assume there is no “age of accountability”. Then God can’t use physical death to ensure someone’s eternal life, right?
C: Do you believe that someone can lose their salvation, and that some are in Hell who were once destined to Heaven?
A: Yes
C: Then surely you agree that God could have taken their lives before their alleged apostasy. Hasn’t He done such merciful terminations in the past, like when He took the lives of straying Corinthian believers to prevent their condemnation (1 Cor 11:30-32)?
A: Ok, you got me there. Let’s assume someone can’t lose their salvation. Then God can’t use physical death to ensure someone’s eternal life, right?
C: Then perhaps He could use physical birth to control it. Do you believe that those who are ignorant, such as those with mental handicaps or those born in locations where they will never hear the Gospel, will be granted mercy?
A: I tend to believe that.
C: Then surely you agree that God can dictate the physical circumstances, location, and timing of someone’s birth to guarantee they have such ignorance. Doesn’t He control all of these things (Acts 17:26)?
A: Yes, but He can’t just do this universally?
C: Why not? Because of something external obligating Him? Will He have to answer to some higher power?
A: No, I suppose He must govern a certain way that aligns with His own nature.
C: Exactly! Because God…
Because God created each person at the precise time and place of His choosing (Acts 17:26), with the body, mind, and faculties He ordained—sight, hearing, intellect, and capacity to process truth.
Because God chose what kind of home they’d be born into, what culture, what language, and what access to Scripture they would or wouldn’t have.
Because God distributed spiritual gifts to the messengers who preached to them (1 Cor. 12:11), empowered by His Spirit, equipped with the words, tone, and timing that would reach their ears.
Because God governed the degree of conviction they felt—whether the Word came with power, or fell on deaf ears.
Because God decides when to give illuminating grace, or withhold it. He hardens or softens (Rom. 9:18), opens or closes hearts (Acts 16:14), and gives repentance or leaves in blindness (2 Tim. 2:25–26).
Because God rules even over the rules—every principle of justice, mercy, or patience by which He acts flows not from outside Him, but from His own sovereign nature and will (Eph. 1:11).
Therefore, no one believes unless God ordains it. Every step—from existence to understanding, from hearing to faith—is under His absolute control.
The Middle Ground 