The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart
Does your theology have categories by which to understand both God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart and then Pharaoh’s subsequent self-hardening? It’s a good test-case for biblically understanding divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
Here is a quick run-down of the key biblical data:
- Three times Yahweh declares that he will harden Pharaoh’s heart (Ex. 4:21; 7:3; 14:4).
- Six times Yahweh actually hardens Pharaoh’s heart (Ex. 9:12; 10:1; 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; 14:8).
- Seven times the hardening is expressed as a divine passive with Yahweh as the implied subject, i.e., Pharaoh’s heart “was hardened” by Yahweh (Ex. 7:13; 7:14; 7:22; 8:19; 9:7; 9:35; 14:5).
- And three times we are told that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex. 8:15; 8:32; 9:34).
Divine-hardening and self-hardening are interwoven, but the God’s action is primary and initiatory: the first five citations (in Exodus 4 and 7) all focus on God’s action; the important point of Pharaoh’s self-hardening only appears in the three verses of Exodus 8 and 9.
The Apostle Paul famously reflected on the theological implications of this in Romans 9, using it to demonstrate the power of God’s mercy over the human will. Note the inclusio (or literary envelope) in Romans 9:16-18, including his quote of Exodus 9:16 on God’s purpose in hardening Pharaoh’s heart:
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
Read the rest of the story at Justin Taylor's blog.
Credo vs. Paedobaptism
The Bayly brothers have a really good post worth reading. These brothers (literally and spiritually) pastor a PCA and non-denominational Reformed church.
Check out their latest. They really rather not argue over the mode and/or the recipients of baptism. See that they believe there are much bigger fish to fry...the doctrines of today's demons.
I agree.
What's Wrong With Calvinism??
My "web" friend and brother has written a rather lengthy post What is Wrong With Calvinism. While he is certainly entitled to his opinions on whether he thinks Calvinism is right or wrong, he is not entitled to his own facts on what Calvinism actually is.
I'll address some of the things Bob says about Calvinism here. After all, I'm a Calvinist. My thoughts will mostly deal with what I see as factual errors Bob makes about Calvinism. I may make a few other comments as I see fit.
In other news...
Ah the budget dabate in DC.
