I saw someone discussing hard determinism vs. compatibilism on social media which got me scrambling to see exactly what was meant by that, and soon after that I read about "Compatibilistic Theodicy" in the Biblical doctrine book.
Actually, I'm pretty certain it was the very next time I read in the book.
Timing
Side Note:
I was in chapter 3 (and finally finished it this week).
I recommend it, although it occasionally boggles my mind.
I don't know how well I'll remember the things I'm learning, but I hope that some of it will stick.
Thoughts:
Here is my thinking on hard determinism:
If hard determinism means that people are not held responsible / culpable for their sinful actions, then it would not be the same as compatibilism (soft determinism) which is more like what is what we see in Scripture.
The Bible surely makes it clear that people are still held responsible for sin (Habakkuk 1:5-11) no matter that God superintends everything for His purposes.
Genesis 50:20 NASB
God warns people about sin and the judgment coming to sinners, but an unbeliever's freedom to choose is limited by their nature (unbelievers are slaves to sin and under the headship of Adam and are unable to obey God).
God hardens hard hearts (Pharoah hardened his heart and God hardened Pharoah's heart, God gives people over to sin as a judgment in Romans 1, etc.), and God has stirred up kings to attack or take people as captives (1 Chronicles 5:26; Jeremiah 28:14), and He sent His people into exile as a judgment (I'm reading Jeremiah).
So, again, I can see that God can direct wills, and He governs all the circumstances and secondary causes (even the sins of people) in the universe to bring about His purposes.
We can see from history that God brings judgment, mercy & grace, and trials.
God will one day bring about the ultimate justice.
Those who are His are covered by His blood & righteousness, and those who are not will face eternal judgment (and Hell).
What about choosing God?
We are not responsible for our first or second birth (John 3) or for God's foreknowledge and drawing of those He's chosen.
Our wills would never choose God apart from His changing our nature and His supernaturally regenerating us according to His predetermined plan.
We also can't keep ourselves saved by our choices either, but our salvation will be evident to others by our love & obedience and fruit which is evidence of His work in us.
God will complete the good work He started in His sheep, and He will not lose any of His true children.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
Romans 8:29 NASB
Romans 8:29 NASB
It's a mercy that God chooses to save people who would not be able to will toward God apart from God.
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Romans 9:16 NASB
Those of us who are Christians have Christ's righteousness imputed to us, but we still sin.
We are to confess our sins to God, and He is faithful & just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Our new nature frees us to be able to do what is right, and God works in us to give us the desire and ability to obey and to glorify Him.
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 NASB
We as believers should be glad that God works all things for His glory & our ultimate good despite how things may look. Our family has been having a number of trials, and sometimes it seems there is no ending in sight.
Romans 8:28 NASB
I have a long ways to go in sanctification, and the more I suffer the more I see my sinfulness (rebelliousness, anxiety, doubts, etc.).
I pray God will cause me to grow and to better reflect God's glory like the moon reflects the sun.