Short Answer: Yes. That is the harmony of the Gospel. God has given us freewill within His Divine knowledge. If God has the ability to see outside of time, this means He sees time at its beginning and end. This also means He knows what we will choose. This doesn’t mean He chooses for us. He just already knows the outcomes of our choices.
One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith is how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility coexist. If God is fully sovereign, how can our choices be real? And if we have genuine freedom, how can God still be in control? This is where the theological concept of Compatibilism comes in—a perspective that affirms both divine sovereignty and human responsibility without contradiction. Let’s explore the core of Compatibilism, highlight key theologians who support it, and examine its practical implications for our lives.
What Is Compatibilism?
Compatibilism teaches that God is absolutely sovereign, ordaining everything that comes to pass (Ephesians 1:11), yet humans are fully responsible for their choices. These two truths are not in opposition; rather, they operate in harmony. While God determines the ends, He uses human actions and decisions as the means to accomplish His will.
For example, in the crucifixion of Jesus, Scripture reveals both divine sovereignty and human responsibility:
• Sovereignty: “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23).
• Responsibility: The people who condemned and crucified Jesus were morally accountable for their actions.
Compatibilism doesn’t explain away the mystery but affirms that both truths are biblical and necessary.
Key Theologians Who Affirm Compatibilism
Several prominent theologians have championed Compatibilism throughout church history:
1. Augustine (354–430)
Augustine affirmed that God’s sovereignty governs all things while maintaining that human beings make real, meaningful choices. He wrote, “God works in the hearts of men to incline their wills wherever He pleases.”
2. John Calvin (1509–1564)
Calvin’s doctrine of providence emphasizes that God ordains everything, yet human responsibility is not negated. He said, “Man falls according to God’s providence, but he falls by his own fault.”
- (Don’t tell any extreme Calvinists who have never actually read his work. They think he is a determinist.)
3. Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758)
Edwards argued for the freedom of the will, but only as it operates under the ultimate control of God. He famously wrote, “The will is always determined by the strongest motive.”
4. J.I. Packer (1926–2020)
Packer described Compatibilism as the proper biblical balance. In Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, he states, “The sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man are taught side by side in the Bible, and we must accept both if we are to be biblical.”
Biblical Support for Compatibilism
1. Joseph’s Story (Genesis 50:20)
After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph later tells them, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” This shows how human actions (evil intent) and God’s sovereign purposes (bringing good) can coexist without contradiction.
2. The Crucifixion of Christ (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28)
The crucifixion was predestined by God but carried out by the hands of sinful men. Both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are evident.
3. Romans 9:19-20
Paul addresses the tension between God’s sovereignty and human accountability, affirming that God has the right to govern His creation while still holding humans accountable for their actions.
Practical Applications of Compatibilism
1. Confidence in God’s Sovereignty
- Compatibilism assures us that nothing happens outside of God’s control. This truth provides immense comfort, especially in times of uncertainty or suffering. We can trust that God is working all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).
2. Motivation for Evangelism
- Knowing that God has ordained both the end (the salvation of souls) and the means (our sharing of the gospel) gives us confidence in evangelism. We are responsible for proclaiming the gospel, but God is the one who brings people to faith (John 6:37).
3. Encouragement to Pray
- Prayer is both a duty and a privilege. Through prayer, we participate in God’s sovereign plan, knowing that He ordains not only the outcomes but also the prayers themselves as a means to accomplish His will (James 5:16).
4. Hope in Personal Growth
- Compatibilism reminds us that, while God is sovereign over our sanctification, we are called to actively pursue holiness. Philippians 2:12-13 captures this balance: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
5. Peace in Suffering
- In moments of pain or loss, we can rest in the knowledge that God’s sovereign hand is at work. Even when we don’t understand why something happens, Compatibilism reminds us that our suffering has purpose and is ultimately for our good and His glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Embracing the Mystery
Compatibilism doesn’t eliminate the mystery of how divine sovereignty and human responsibility work together. Instead, it calls us to trust in God’s perfect wisdom and character. As finite creatures, we may not fully grasp how these truths fit together, but we can rest in the assurance that they do because Scripture affirms both.
When we embrace Compatibilism, we gain a deeper appreciation for the majesty of God and our meaningful role in His divine plan. It’s a doctrine that leads us to worship, trust, and live faithfully for His glory.
Bottom Line
The doctrine of Compatibilism offers a robust, biblically faithful way to understand the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It gives us confidence that God is in control while motivating us to live responsibly and purposefully. As Augustine, Calvin, Edwards, and others remind us, these truths are not contradictory but complementary, leading us to deeper trust in our sovereign and good God.
