Compatibilism

[taylor510ce]

Mike,

On Sunday, you introduced the congregation to a theological term, "Compatibilism." If you would, please define Compatibilism. Also, my question is:

If Compatibilism is true, is God the source of sin?

And also, if that is true, can anyone say, "Oh it's ok for me to do whatever because It's compatible with God's will, and He'll use it sovereignly."

[Mike Miller]

"Compatibilism" is simply the term used to describe the view that "absolute divine sovereignty is compatible with human significance and real human choices" (Grudem). In other words, God is absolutely in control, but people still make choices for which we are responsible and accountable. An excellent example of this being played out in Scripture is the crucifixion of Jesus. Acts 2:23 says that Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God," but also that he was "crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men." Acts 4:27-28 says that Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were "gathered together against" Jesus to what God had "predestined to take place." In other words, numerous people, by their own choice, conspired to kill Jesus. And at the same time, they did exactly what God foreordained for them to do.

Another example comes from the account of Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his brothers. They were guilty of great sin against him. However, Genesis 50:20 says that the brothers did what they did with evil intentions, but God did it with good intentions (see also Genesis 45:5-8). So, who is responsible for Joseph being sold--God or the brothers? Yes.

We are free moral creatures, but God is absolutely in control. This differs from the determinism prevalent in many worldviews (such as Islam) in that compatibilism holds to the belief that our choices matter. Nevertheless, our choices do not take place outside of God's sovereign will. Compatibilism, then, affirms that "in one sense events are fully (100 percent) caused by God and fully (100 percent) caused by the creatures as well" (Grudem, 319).

So, does this mean that God is the author of sin? A superficial reading of Scripture seems to indicate that He is. He hardened Pharaoh's heart, He regularly brought wicked adversaries against His people, He sends delusion to keep people from believing the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12), He predestined people to disobey His word (1 Peter 2:8), and He predestined the crucifixion of His son at the hands of lawless men. Yet God is never charged with wrongdoing. He never actually does evil Himself, and He always holds human beings accountable for their sin.

Simply put, God uses evil for His purposes, but He never does evil Himself, nor is He to be blamed for it. In other words, humans are evil, and our hearts are inclined to sin. God's grace restrains us from sinning as badly as we could in our wicked nature, but He also uses our own sinful desires--allowing us to act on what we want to do anyway--in order to accomplish His very good purposes. He even ordains that our evil desires will be channeled in the direction He would have them go. After all, apart from His grace, we are incapable of doing good, so He takes the evil we want to do and works it for His good pleasure.

This makes me worship.

Now, as for the question about doing whatever we want because God will use it--that attitude would reflect a deterministic worldview, not a biblical one. That attitude would result from not understanding that we are responsible for our actions. I would say, "Sure. Do what you want. And you will suffer for it. You are accountable to God for everything you do, say, and think." Moreover, a born again Christian wouldn't say that, because someone who is made new in Christ now has the desire to please God. As Paul responded to the question about continuing in sin so we can receive more grace, "By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2)