A biblical theodicy assumes not that man in his fallenness has the ability to obey God but rather that fallen humans in their corrupted nature choose only what serves their own pleasure and power. The following biblical principles explain how all this can be true:
1. God predetermines all events (Eph. 1:11).
2. The fall resulted in physical difficulties and catastrophes (Isa. 45:7; Rom. 8:20–22).
3. God predetermines sin but makes man accountable for his sin (Acts 2:23; 4:27–28; 14:16).
4. God hardens sinners in sin (Rom. 9:18).
5. God never tempts people to sin (James 1:13).
6. God is never blamed in Scripture for sin or portrayed as enjoying the sin he permits (Ps. 5:4).
7. God never coerces man to sin but ordains that man sin freely and thus be culpable (James 1:14–15).
8. God controls people’s sin, working mysteriously through secondary causes (2 Sam. 24:1, 10; 1 Chron. 21:1).
9. God is glorified in his justice when he causes calamities and judges sin (Isa. 45:5–7; Ezek. 28:22; John 9:2–5).
10. God has graciously provided salvation from sin for those who believe in Christ (Rom. 3:24–26).
John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017), 225.
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