Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - How God Works in Men's Hearts

The sources discuss the complex interplay between God's sovereignty, Satan's influence, and human will. True free will, according to the texts, is an internal capacity for choice and inclination, not determined by outward success or the ability to achieve every desire. However, this internal capacity is significantly limited. Humanity is seen as captive to sin and under the power of the devil, willingly submitting to his leading. Augustine's analogy of the will as a horse ridden by either God or the devil illustrates this influence.Despite these limitations, humans are held responsible for their voluntary sins. God, while not the author of evil, is portrayed as sovereign over all events, including those involving human choices and evil. He actively works in the world, inclining human wills even in external matters and using both Satan and the wicked to accomplish His righteous purposes and judgments.The concept of God "hardening" hearts is explained in two ways: by withdrawing His grace and by actively directing individuals' wills, sometimes through Satan, to fulfill His plans. In events where God, Satan, and humans are all active, their purposes and manners of acting are distinct, ensuring God's righteousness remains blameless while the wickedness of Satan and humanity is evident. Ultimately, God's dominion stands above human freedom, yet humans make genuine choices within this framework.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed