Providence Jon Dansby

Romans 11:33-36   Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,     or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him     that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Providence – Framework God’s glory is worth everything God’s character can be trusted God’s design for your sanctification is best God’s sovereignty, Man’s responsibility

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Providence Defined Grudem God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes

Providence Defined Grudem (1) Preservation (2) Concurrence (3) Government

Preservation Defined God keeps all created things existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them

Preservation Hebrews 1:2-3 “..in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”

Concurrence Defined God cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do

Concurrence Ephesians 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Government Defined God has a purpose in all that he does in the world and he providentially governs or directs all things in order that they accomplish his purposes

Government Romans 11:33-36 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

GOD’S DECREES Grudem’s Definition: the eternal plans of God whereby, before the creation of the world, he determined to bring about everything that happens

GOD’S DECREES Westminster Shorter Catechism: the decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath fore- ordained whatsoever comes to pass.

God’s Decrees Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Dual Causality Events are fully (100%) caused by God and fully (100%) caused by the creature.

Psalm 104:21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.

1 Corinthians 4:7 What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

1 Samuel 2:25 [Eli’s sons] would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.

Acts 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.

Group Discussion How do you receive this concept of dual causality? Discuss the dual causality in the lives of Joseph (compare Genesis 37:28 and 36 with Psalm 105:16- 17) and Jesus. Discuss dual causality in your life.

Regarding All Things, Including Evil Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Acts 4:27-28 “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

God’s absolute sovereignty Human responsibility Libertarian Free-Will Fatalism

This Doctrine in the Church’s History “Accept as good the things that happen to you, knowing that nothing transpires apart from God.” -- Didache (~50-100 AD)

This Doctrine in the Church’s History “The creation is not subjected to Satan’s power, since indeed he is himself but one among created things...all human affairs are arranged according to God the Father’s disposal.” -- Iranaeus of Lyon (~180 AD)

This Doctrine in the Church’s History “There is no erratic power, or action, or motion in creatures, but that they are governed by God’s secret plan in such a way that nothing happens except what is knowingly and willingly decreed by Him.” -- John Calvin (early 1500s)

This Doctrine in the Church’s History “Nothing can be done apart from the will of God, not even any of those things that are done in opposition to it.” -- Jacob Arminius (late 1500s)

This Doctrine in the Church’s History "nothing - no evil thing or person or event or deed - falls outside of God's ordaining will. Nothing arises, exists, or endures independently of God's will. So when the worst of evils befall us, they do not ultimately come from anywhere other than God's hand." -- Mark Talbot (Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 47)

Compatibilism A Person’s Actions are Free and Responsible When: They are not externally coerced They are chosen voluntarily, according to internal desires They are the cause of real effects

Libertarian Free-Will A Person’s Actions are Free and Responsible When: No other cause can determine the outcome Multiple options (A and non-A) were equally possible choices at the time of choosing

Open Theism The belief that God does not and cannot have certain knowledge of the future choices of truly free people.

“We are significant and we are responsible “We are significant and we are responsible. We do have choices and these are real choices that bring about real results. Scripture repeatedly affirms these truths as well. Just as a rock is really hard because God has made it with the property of hardness, just as water is really wet because God has made it with the property of wetness, just as plants are really alive because God has made them with the property of life, so our choices are real choices and do have significant effects, because God has made us in such a wonderful way that he has endowed us with the property of willing choice.” (Grudem, 321)

Romans 9:19 You will say to me then, “Why doe he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” “Our own sensibilities”

Discussion - Suffering: Job 1:21: And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Discussion - Suffering: Do you believe God ordains and is sovereign over suffering? Discuss God’s sovereignty over the suffering in the lives of Job and Paul. Discuss God’s sovereignty over the suffering in your life.

Hebrews 2:17-18 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has sufferedwhen tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

LDP Announcements

Announcements 1. Saturday All-day training on 2/28 from 9-4pm Homework 2. Bible Reading Plan and Scripture Memory 3. Read Systematic Theology, chs. 44-45 4.Global Church Study Guide