Derek,

I appreciate the valid attempt to define where you are coming from further. However I must be honest and ask, why? Think about it:

You think there is a fundamental difference between hard determinism and compatibilism that would allow you to somehow retain genuine free-will to engrave the other side of your paradox coin. You think compatibilism departs from determinism because it offers the view that people freely do what they desire to do. But Derek what you desire has been determined! So let me ask you a simple question that I believe can help you see why this is a fruitless endeavor:

Derek, have you ever had a thought or desire that God did not sovereignly ordain for you to have?

Please, please just answer the question with a yes or no–it’s really that simple. I’m not trying to trap you. I’m just trying to help you see that compatibilism gets you nowhere.

Lastly, I am often perplexed as to where Calvinists can conjure up the motivation to try to dislodge people from their Arminian beliefs and persuade them of the merits of Calvinism. Derek, in your view hasn’t God determined who is an Arminian–and done so irresistibly? Whence comes the incentive to argue against a belief that God sovereignly ordained?

Shalom.