“The hearts of the wicked are, of course, never hardened by the direct influence of God–He simply permits some men to follow out the evil impulses which are already in their hearts, so that, as a result of their own choices, they become more and more calloused and obstinate. God is ultimately responsible for the hardening of the heart in that he permits it to occur, but never are we to understand that God is the immediate and efficient cause.”

Loraine Boettner