A common accusation from Calvinists against Arminians is that Arminian theology undermines the doctrine of assurance of salvation. The argument goes as follows: if salvation can be forfeited, then believers can never have true confidence that they are saved. Calvinists argue that their doctrine of unconditional election and perseverance of the saints provides a stronger foundation for assurance, since the elect are eternally secure and cannot fall away.
However, this accusation is misguided and fails to accurately represent the Arminian view. Arminianism, properly understood, affirms a robust doctrine of assurance—one that is biblically grounded, experientially real, and pastorally encouraging. This rebuttal will demonstrate that Arminian theology does not undermine assurance but rather places it on a more biblical and meaningful foundation.
The True Basis of Assurance: Present Faith in Christ, Not an Unconditional Decree
One of the primary flaws in the Calvinist argument is that it misidentifies the foundation of assurance.Calvinism locates assurance in God’s unconditional election and irrevocable decree. The problem is that one cannot directly know whether they are elect—they can only infer it by persevering in faith. Arminianism, by contrast, locates assurance in present faith in Christ, as taught in Scripture.
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” — John 3:36
Biblical assurance is not about knowing whether one was chosen before the foundation of the world—it is about knowing whether one is trusting in Christ today. If a person is actively believing in Christ, they can be fully assured of their salvation.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” — 1 John 5:13
This assurance is immediate and real, not based on a hidden decree of election, but on the explicit promises of God in Scripture to those who trust in Him.
Calvinism’s Assurance Is Not as Strong as It Claims
While Calvinists claim that their theology provides a stronger assurance, in reality, it often leads to uncertainty and self-examination that undermines confidence in salvation.
In Calvinism, not everyone who thinks they are elect actually is. Many who profess faith and show outward signs of conversion may turn out to be reprobate.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21–23
“They went out from us, but they were not of us…” — 1 John 2:19
Since only the elect persevere, Calvinists must engage in lifelong self-examination to determine whether their faith is genuine. This often results in doubt rather than confidence, because one can never be 100% sure that they are not among the self-deceived reprobate.
By contrast, Arminianism provides an assurance that is not based on whether one was eternally predestined, but on a present and real relationship with Christ. A believer does not need to wonder, “Am I elect?” but simply needs to trust, “Am I abiding in Christ today?”
Arminian Assurance Is Dynamic, Not Fragile
Calvinists often argue that if salvation can be lost, then assurance is always fragile and uncertain. However, this is a misrepresentation of the Arminian view. Arminians do not believe a person can lose their salvation easily or accidentally. Salvation is only lost through persistent, willful rebellion and rejection of Christ (Hebrews 10:26-29). This is different from struggling with sin or having seasons of doubt.
Arminians affirm that believers can have full assurance as long as they continue in faith. Assurance is not fragile—it is dynamic. Just as faith in Christ brings salvation, continued faith brings continued assurance.
“He has now reconciled you… if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel.” — Colossians 1:22-23
A believer does not need to live in constant fear, but they are called to actively abide in Christ. The Holy Spirit assures us that we are children of God as we walk with Him.
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” — Romans 8:16 –
Arminian assurance is not passive presumption—it is living confidence in Christ.
The Bible Teaches Conditional Security, Not Unconditional Perseverance
One reason Arminians reject the Calvinist doctrine of eternal security (once saved, always saved) is because Scripture repeatedly warns against falling away:
- John 15:6 – “If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers…”
- Hebrews 6:4-6 – A warning against falling away after experiencing salvation.
- Hebrews 10:26-29 – A severe warning against deliberate sin and apostasy.
- 2 Peter 2:20-22 – A person who escapes corruption but later returns to it is worse off than before.
Arminians take these warnings seriously. If salvation is unconditionally guaranteed, why would Scripture warn believers against falling away?
Rather than undermining assurance, these warnings reinforce the importance of faithfulness. Arminians affirm that assurance is real, but also that genuine faith perseveres. Those who abandon faith lose assurance, not because God is unfaithful, but because they have rejected His grace.
Arminian Assurance Promotes Holiness and Perseverance
A final problem with the Calvinist critique is that their version of assurance can lead to complacency. If salvation is unconditionally secured, what prevents a person from falling into sin with no fear of consequences?
Arminians emphasize that assurance should lead to holiness.
“Everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.” — 1 John 3:3
Assurance is not a passive state, but a dynamic, growing relationship with Christ. Arminianism teaches that true believers will naturally persevere in faith because they love God, not merely because they are eternally decreed to do so.
Arminian Assurance Is Biblically Grounded and Spiritually Healthy
The Calvinist accusation that Arminianism undermines assurance is unfounded. On the contrary, Arminian theology provides a more biblically consistent, experientially real, and pastorally encouraging model of assurance. True assurance is found in present faith in Christ, not in a hidden decree of election. Calvinist assurance is actually weaker than claimed, since many “professing believers” might turn out to be reprobate.
Arminian assurance is dynamic, not fragile—confidence in Christ grows as faith endures. The Bible teaches conditional security, meaning perseverance is necessary, not optional. Arminian assurance leads to holiness and active perseverance, rather than complacency.
Rather than undermining assurance, Arminianism upholds a biblical view of salvation—one that is both secure in Christ and calls believers to faithfulness.
