Why Lazarus Is Not a Calvinist: Debunking the Regeneration Analogy

Why Lazarus Is Not a Calvinist: Debunking the Regeneration Analogy


One of the most common Calvinist analogies for regeneration is the story of Lazarus in John 11. The argument goes like this:


“Lazarus was dead. He couldn’t respond to Jesus until Jesus gave him life. That’s how salvation works—God must first make us spiritually alive before we can respond.”


At first glance, this seems powerful. After all, dead people don’t make choices.  But when we dig deeper, we find that this analogy stretches the text beyond its purpose and ends up contradicting the very nature of how the Gospel calls people to respond.


1. Lazarus’ Resurrection Was Physical, Not Spiritual


The biggest flaw in the Calvinist use of John 11 is that it conflates physical death with spiritual death. Yes, Lazarus was physically dead—his body was lifeless in a tomb for four days. But the Bible does not teach that spiritual deadness is equivalent to being a literal corpse. Spiritual death refers to alienation from God, not inability to hear or respond.


Ephesians 2:1 says we were “dead in trespasses and sins,” but this death is moral and relational—not metaphysical. The prodigal son in Luke 15 was “dead” and then “alive again,” yet he chose to return.


To say Lazarus had no choice because he was physically dead is to import a false equivalency into the text. If you want a valid analogy, you need a spiritually dead person who is still mentally and volitionally active—just like the sinners Jesus preached to.



2. Lazarus Was Already a Believer


John 11:3 shows that Lazarus was someone 

“whom Jesus loved.” He was already in a covenant relationship with Christ. This was not a conversion moment—this was a miracle done to glorify God and confirm Jesus’ identity. In other words, Lazarus' resurrection says nothing about how unbelievers become believers. If anything, it’s a demonstration of resurrection power at the end of the age—pointing forward to the general resurrection, not inward to spiritual regeneration.


3. Jesus Raised Others Who Weren’t Elect in the Calvinist Sense


If Jesus raising someone from the dead means they were unconditionally elected and regenerated, then what do we do with:


The widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7)


Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5)


Dorcas (Acts 9, raised by Peter)


None of these resurrection stories are used to teach election. Why? Because they're about God’s power over death, not about the steps of salvation. Calvinists pick Lazarus for convenience, but the logic would force them to apply the same theology to everyone else raised—many of whom we know nothing about spiritually.



4. Jesus’ Call Is Not Irresistible—It Is Personal and Relational


Calvinists argue that Lazarus is proof that God must call you to life before you can respond. But in Scripture, the call to salvation is relational and covenantal—it is not a magical voice that brings someone into faith.


“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27


Notice, Jesus speaks to those who already hear. The call isn’t irresistible—it’s recognized by those who are already open, willing, and faithful. The Lazarus event is a sign, not a salvific blueprint.



5. The Gospel Is Not Spoken to Corpses


The Bible never commands us to preach the gospel to literal dead people. Yet Calvinism insists that unbelievers are spiritually just like Lazarus—incapable of response unless first regenerated.


But if this were true:


Why does Jesus constantly command people to repent and believe? Why does the Spirit convict the world (John 16:8)? Why are people held accountable for rejecting the call if they were never able to hear it in the first place? Lazarus didn’t reject or accept the call. He was simply raised. But the Gospel isn’t like that—it is something we are called to respond to (Mark 1:15, Romans 10:9–17). That means the ability to respond must exist prior to regeneration.



6. Regeneration Follows Faith in Scripture


Throughout the New Testament, faith precedes new life:


“To all who received him...he gave power to become children of God.” (John 1:12)


“Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)


“That you may believe and by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)


Calvinism reverses this: “You must have life before you can believe.” But Scripture says: believe, and you will live.



Conclusion


The raising of Lazarus was a sign to glorify Jesus and show His authority over death (John 11:4, 25–26). It was a foreshadowing of the resurrection hope for all believers—not a theological diagram for how people are saved.

Using Lazarus as a picture of regeneration misrepresents:


The nature of covenant death


The role of faith


And the purpose of Jesus’ miracles.


If anything, Lazarus points to the promise of 70 AD resurrection. So no, Lazarus was not a Calvinist. He was a beloved friend of Jesus, raised for God's glory, not to prove a doctrine of predestination. Let’s read him as John intended: as a witness to Jesus’ power over death, and as a preview of the resurrection for all who trust Him.

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