13 February 2015 A.D. Luther on God’s “Hardening” and “Softening” of Human Hearts
13 February 2015 A.D. Luther on God’s “Hardening” and “Softening” of Human Hearts Denlinger, Aaron Clay. “Luther on God's "Hardening" and "Softening" of Human Hearts.” Reformation21. 12 Feb 2015. http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2015/02/luther-on-gods-hardening-and-s.php . Accessed 12 Feb 2015. In scholastic theological discourse, 'moral suasion' and 'physical influence' represent two different ways of getting someone to do something. If my goal were, say, getting my four-year-old daughter to the dinner table, I might employ 'moral suasion' by promising her that she'd find her favorite dish when she arrived there, or by simply threatening her with consequences for refusing to follow my instructions to cease and desist from playing and join us for supper. I might, alternatively, employ 'physical influence' by simply picking her up, compliant or not, and carrying her to the table. This distinction finds expression...