SEMESTER 1
212 – Man’s Free Agency “2”
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY I LESSON # 12
MAN’S FREE AGENCY “2” MAN’S FREE AGENCY (CONTINUED)
IV. MAN AS MUCH A FREE AGENT AS GOD?
1. This is a thought of Thomas Paul Simmons. Correct? – Well at least worth examination.
2. Consider that whereas God controls circumstances, we do not, thus we may (by circumstances) do that which we “would not.”
3. Remember, however, that our will (with view of all the motives and consequences within our knowledge) is still choosing freely.
4. So, though our actions are never as free as God’s, our will may be; that is to say, that whatever the influences may be, we finally choose freely.
5. Our choice, or will, is ultimately the preference of our nature.
V. FREE AGENCY OF THE NATURAL MAN
1. It is true that the natural man cannot but continue in sin, while in his natural state. (Jer 17:9
, Pro 4:23, Job 14:4, Jer 13:23, Joh 6:65, Rom 8:7-8, 1Co 2:14)
2. This, however, is not due to outside compulsion, but to his own character which chooses darkness rather than light. (Joh 3:19)
III: The hog wallowing in the mire or the birds flying. If there is compulsion, it is from within, not without.
VI. FREE AGENCY AND DIVINE HARDENING OR BLINDING
1. This is biblically attributed to God. (Rom 9:18, Joh 12:40)
2. This does not mean God brings pressure upon the sinner to blind or harden him.
3. Matthew 13:14-15 attributes this very thing to the sinner.
4. Isaiah 6:10 attributes it to the prophet.
5. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 attributes it to Satan.
6. Do we have here confusion or contradiction? God forbid! It is explanation.
i. It is attributed to God because He decreed it.
ii. It is attributed to Satan, as the efficient cause.
iii. It is attributed to the prophet as their provoker.
iv. It is attributed to them because they willed it.
7. Essentially the same thing is true of the hardening of the sinner.
8. Compare Rom 9:18, Exo 4:21, Exo 7:3, Exo 7:13, Exo 9:12, Exo 10:1,20,27 and Exo 11:10, where the hardening is attributed to God, to Exo 8:15,32 and Exo 9:34 where the same hardening is attributed to Pharaoh.
9. Each hardening of his heart by God, was a hardening by Pharaoh and vice versa.