Podcast Summary: Back to the Bible Podcast

Episode 131: Romans 11 and Calvinism, Part 1

Host: Larsen B. Plyler
Date: November 16, 2025

Main Theme

Exploring Romans 11 and Its Implications for Calvinism
In this episode, Larsen B. Plyler embarks on a scriptural examination of Romans 11 to address and critique Calvinist doctrine, focusing particularly on notions of election, predestination, and free will. Drawing on a recent debate between Bruce Reeves and Joel Ellis, Plyler seeks to clarify what the apostle Paul is teaching in Romans—especially the powerful image of the olive tree—and how this challenges Calvinistic interpretations of God’s sovereignty, salvation, and human choice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Study Context and Recent Debate

• Plyler references (02:38) a debate between Bruce Reeves (free will, God's sovereignty) and Joel Ellis (Calvinistic view) at Pepper Road church in Athens, Alabama.
• He praises both for handling the discussion thoughtfully and recommends listeners review both sides critically (03:22).
• “Make sure you're listening to both sides and considering that in light of the scripture, trying to understand what each man is saying and try to compare that to the word of God to see if it indeed lines up.” — [Larsen B. Plyler, 03:22]

2. Summary of Calvinist Argument

• Joel Ellis argued God has an “eternal list” of the elect, predetermined for salvation, and only they will be saved (04:21).
• Ellis maintains that choices and history are under God’s complete control, yet claims people still sin of their “own free choice” (04:50).
• Plyler identifies what he perceives as contradictions in Ellis’s perspective: “Now that seems kind of backward and speaking out of both sides of our mouth, as far as I can tell.” — [Larsen B. Plyler, 14:01]

3. Host’s Response: Free Will and God’s Sovereignty

• Plyler affirms that God is ultimately in control of history and will accomplish His purposes, but individuals have the ability to choose their response to God (05:25).
• “He wants you to be a part of that number. But it depends on him reaching his hands out to you and you not being disobedient and obstinate to him in order for such a thing to occur.” — [06:55]

4. Critique of Calvinism’s Core Doctrines

• Calvinism: Humanity is so corrupted by sin that only a divine act enables faith; God predestined the elect, Christ died only for them (limited atonement), and they (the elect) will invariably persevere (15:17).
• Plyler objects to the notion that someone could be “in a covenant relationship with God, but are not on the eternal list... not because of their willingness, but because God determined from the beginning that they would not persevere to the end” (12:55).
• On perseverance: “I think what the Bible teaches is that the confidence that you can have is that if you are in Christ, if you are growing in him, if you are faithful to him... we can have confidence that today we're in right standing with the Lord and that if we are faithful to the end, then may we have the confidence that we are given in the Scriptures.” — [15:08]

5. Influence of Calvinism in Christian Thought

• Many Bible study resources and commentaries, even by able scholars Plyler admires, are influenced by, or saturated with, Calvinist ideas (17:57).
• He cautions listeners to be alert to Calvinistic influences when consulting denominational sources (18:29).

6. Romans 11 as a Refutation of Calvinism

• Key passage: Romans 11:17-24.
• The “olive tree” image illustrates that:
  • Jewish branches (unbelievers) broke off due to unbelief;
  • Gentiles, through faith, were grafted in;
  • Jewish individuals can be grafted back in if they return to faith;
  • Gentile believers can be cut off if they lose faith.
• “The case was not settled in either instance.” — [21:56]
• “Anybody can be blotted out. Even those who look faithful today may not be faithful tomorrow, but not because of God's eternal decree, but because of their faithfulness or lack thereof.” — [16:59]

7. Exegesis and Application from Romans 9-11

• Not all physical descendants of Abraham are “true Israel”—God always defined His people with a certain narrowness (19:32).
• Gentiles haven’t “replaced” the Jews; rather, anyone—Jew or Gentile—who meets God’s conditions (i.e., faith in Christ) is included (20:38).
• The host’s reading is that Romans 11:26 (“all Israel will be saved”) refers to descendants of Abraham who meet God’s requirements for true Israel (21:39).

8. Detailed Reading and Commentary: Romans 11:13-24

• Plyler reads and comments on the passage, emphasizing:
  • Rootedness in Jewish patriarchs (“the root supports you” — 23:13).
  • Gentile inclusion is by faith; exclusion follows unbelief.
  • The conditional language (“if you continue in his kindness, otherwise you will also be cut off” — 24:44) conflicts directly with unconditional perseverance in Calvinism.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “The creator God who made all things and for whom all things were created, is stretching out his hands, is reaching out his arms to a people who are disobedient and obstinate.” — [Larsen B. Plyler, 06:37]
• “Let me tell you, he wants you to be a part of that number. But it depends on him reaching his hands out to you and you not being disobedient and obstinate to him in order for such a thing to occur.” — [06:55]
• On Romans 11: “The Jews were broken off because they did not have faith, and the Gentiles were grafted in because they did have faith, but the case was not settled in either instance.” — [21:56]
• “If some of the Gentiles... lost their faith, they would be severed. If some Jews who had previously rejected the message came to faith, they could be grafted back in.” — [25:52]
• “It sounds to me like he’s got two books of life. But one’s written in permanent marker and one’s written in dry erase.” — [16:35] (on the logical problem in certain Calvinist perspectives)

Important Timestamps

• 03:22: Encouragement to listen to the full Calvinism debate on YouTube.
• 04:21: Summary of Joel Ellis’s Calvinist argument.
• 06:37: God “stretching out His hands” to Israel – discussion of divine desire and human response.
• 12:55: Critique of “eternal list” and being in the covenant but not truly saved.
• 15:08: How Christians can have biblical confidence in salvation.
• 16:35: “Permanent marker and dry erase” metaphor for the books of life in Calvinism.
• 19:32: Not all who descend from Abraham are true Israel.
• 20:38: Whether “Israel” is redefined in including Gentiles.
• 21:39: Exegesis on Romans 11:26 – “all Israel will be saved.”
• 21:56: Romans 11:17-24 as a refutation of Calvinism.
• 23:13–25:52: Detailed reading and commentary on the olive tree allegory.
• 29:36: Sign-off and hint at deeper discussion in future episodes.

Flow and Tone

Throughout, Plyler adopts a respectful, measured, and clear tone, urging listeners to be “shaped by the Scripture” (01:54) and not by tradition. He is firm yet irenic in assessing Calvinism, stresses the importance of studying Scripture for oneself, and prepares listeners for further, deeper consideration in upcoming episodes.

Conclusion

This episode sets the stage for a series critiquing Calvinism’s doctrine of election by exegetically unpacking Romans 11. Plyler encourages careful, open Bible study and highlights the scriptural tension between God’s sovereignty and genuine human responsibility—insisting that the Pauline olive tree metaphor upholds conditional security, the need for faith, and the possibility of restoration, in contrast to classic Calvinist interpretations.

To be continued...