PROVIDENCE
Jon Dansby
Romans 11:33-36
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Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
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34 “For
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36 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?”
from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory
forever. Amen.
Providence – Framework
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God’s glory is worth everything
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God’s character can be trusted
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God’s design for your sanctification is best
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God’s sovereignty, Man’s responsibility
Deuteronomy 29:29
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“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
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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
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(1) Preservation
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(2) Concurrence
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(3) Government
Preservation Defined
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God keeps all created things existing and
maintaining the properties with which he
created them
Preservation
Hebrews 1:2-3
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“..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
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God cooperates with created things in every action,
directing their distinctive properties to cause them to
act as they do
Concurrence
Ephesians 1:11
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
God’s Decrees
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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
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Events are fully (100%) caused by God and
fully (100%) caused by the creature.
Psalm 104:21
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The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their
food from God.
1 Corinthians 4:7
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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
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The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord
establishes his steps.
1 Samuel 2:25
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[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
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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
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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 105:1617) and Jesus.
Discuss dual causality in your life.
Regarding All Things, Including
Evil
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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.
Libertarian
Free-Will
God’s absolute sovereignty
Human responsibility
Fatalism
This Doctrine in the Church’s
History
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“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
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“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
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“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:
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They are not externally coerced
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They are chosen voluntarily, according to internal desires
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They are the cause of real effects
Libertarian Free-Will
A Person’s Actions are Free and Responsible
When:
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No other cause can determine the outcome
Multiple options (A and non-A) were equally possible choices
at the time of choosing
Open Theism
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The belief that God does not and cannot have certain
knowledge of the future choices of truly free people.
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“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
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You will say to me then, “Why doe he still find fault? For who
can resist his will?” “Our own sensibilities”
Discussion - Suffering:
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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:
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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