Divine Meticulous Providence or General Providence? A Reflection

 

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer.

“Creatures are so governed by the secret counsel of God, that nothing happens but what He has knowingly and willingly decreed” (John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 16, Paragraph 3).

I concur with many of John Piper's and Jonathan Edwards' views, yet I respectfully dissent from the belief that God ordains every specific sin ever committed. Both men have affirmed Calvin's doctrine of divine determinism. Or, what scholars refer to as meticulous providence

"Some theologies hold to meticulous providence: God ordains and controls everything that happens. Others hold to general providence: God attends broadly but not exhaustively to what occurs."  (1)  I believe the latter.

Why would God secretly decree people to commit the very acts he condemns in Scripture?

Am I misunderstanding something?

Piper says: "Therefore I conclude with Jonathan Edwards: " God decrees all things, even all sins." Or, as Paul says in Ephesians 1:11, "[He] works all things according to the counsel of his will."  (1)

 Evil resides in the human heart, not in God's. The Gospel of Matthew makes this clear.

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander." - Matthew 15:19

Mark Talbot in his book edited by John Piper makes the following claim: 

"Ephesians 1: 11 goes even further by declaring that God in Christ “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Here the Greek word for “works” is energeō, which indicates that God not merely carries all of the universe’s objects and events to their appointed ends but that he actually brings about all things in accordance with his will. In other words, God brings about all things in accordance with his will. It isn’t just that God manages to turn the evil aspects of our world to good for those that love him; it is rather that he himself brings about these evil aspects … This includes— as incredible and unacceptable as it may currently seem— God’s having even brought about the Nazi’s brutality at Birkenau and Auschwitz as well as the terrible killings of Dennis Rader and even the sexual abuse of a young child.” (2)

"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." - Luke 17:2 

I hold a belief in God's providence over human affairs, as taught by Scripture. "...that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28.) 

God has the power to redeem acts of evil against His children. However, the Scripture does not state that He is the cause of it. 

 

"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one." - James 1:13 

God does not instill evil thoughts in people's hearts. However, God may allow those who do not acknowledge Him to be influenced by a "depraved mind."

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper..."  - Romans 1:28 NASB 95 (Read the entire chapter)

To gain a true understanding of God the Father, one should examine the life of His Son, Jesus.

"Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" - John 14:9

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10

(1) Allison, Gregg R.. The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms (p. 209). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

(2) John Piper, Desiring God, page 347.

(3) Mark Talbot, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, p. 42, edited by John Piper

Wesley’s “Rules of the Band-Societies,” December 25, 1738.

John Wesley wrote his "Rules of the Band-societies," in 1738. Putting these rules into practice in Church small groups might be a good idea! Accountability and transparency among believers are needed like never before. It may seem a bit strict or legalistic to the modern mind. But why not try it? It could be life-changing. It could help us become more like Jesus. 

"The band meeting, a proven discipleship model for growing in love through the accountability of small, same-gender groups, was one of the defining characteristics of the Methodist movement started by John Wesley in the mid-1700s. In reflection on Wesley’s class meeting and band meeting structure, George Whitfield once said, “My Brother Wesley acted wisely, the souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.”  - www.seedbed.com

                 John Wesley's Rules

"The design of our meeting is, to obey that command of God, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”

To this end, we intend –

1. To meet once a week, at the least.
2. To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
3. To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
4. To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
5. To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present.
6. To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins, and temptations.

Some of the questions proposed to every one before he is admitted among us may be to this effect: —

1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins?
2. Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ?
3. Have you the witness of God’s Spirit with your spirit, that you are a child of God?
4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart?
5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you?
6. Do you desire to be told of your faults?
7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home?
8. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?
9. Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you?
10. Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?
11. Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?

Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion offers; the four following at every meeting: —

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?
2. What temptations have you met with?
3. How were you delivered?
4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?
5. Is there anything you desire to keep secret?" 

Enjoying The Trinity

 

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14

"...we see that the Father, Son and Spirit, while distinct persons, are absolutely inseparable from each other. Not confused, but undividable. They are who they are together. They always are together, and thus they always work together." (1)

The mystery of all mysteries is that the One true God comprises three distinct persons. For reasons I cannot comprehend, God desired to create people to enjoy him and to cultivate the earth, under his leadership.

God does not need us, but thankfully, He desires us. He has never been lonely, nor has he ever needed a relationship outside of himself. This Divine community that theologians call the Trinity experienced perfect union and fellowship before the world's creation. If God were a solitary God (which some religions believe) how could he love us? God is love. God is three persons. Our trinitarian God was in a community of love before he created anyone.

Our union with Christ grants us access to the throne room of God by the Holy Spirit. Jesus seated at the Father's right hand guarantees that he hears our prayers (Hebrews 4:16.)

But, our communion with God serves a greater purpose than to answer our prayers. Answered prayer is good, but experiencing God as Father is the ultimate joy.

The reality that we can enjoy God is a foreign concept to many.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a hard taskmaster. We get to see the Father in the life of the Son.

Jesus said that his yoke was easy and that his burden was light (Matt. 11:30.) And, if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father(John 14:9.)

The Father sent Jesus to earth to reveal his heart to those who would become his children.

The Father and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit so that we could be filled and indwelt with the very life of God.

May we all learn to enjoy the mystery of our Trinitarian God. As we look forward to the redemption of our bodies (Rom.8:23.)

“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (I Cor. 2:9)

(1) Delighting In The Trinity, Michael Reeves, page 34

The Mountains: A Place Of Encounter

 Scripture:

"...Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." - Luke 6:12

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." - Luke 5:16

A Reflection:

I saw the Alps from a distance.

I was a passenger in a car in a small town in Germany. We were turning around in a parking lot when one of my companions pointed to them in the distance.

I was traveling with my son-in-law and his associates - they were there for business - I was tagging along. While I was grateful to see so many beautiful sites in Germany, Churches, Castles, and other historical sites, I was disappointed we didn't make time to visit the mountains.

Mountains are significant in Scripture. 

They are holy places where we find God's servants encountering the Divine.

The Bible tells us stories of God - encounters on mountains - considered "Sacred sites' and places of "transcendent spiritual experiences."

" Ezekiel 28:13-15 places the Garden of Eden on a mountain. Abraham shows his willingness to sacrifice Isaac and then encounters God on a mountain" (Gen 22:1-14). Moses met God in a cloud on Mt. Sinai  (Ex 3:19). (1) 

 Jesus went to the mountains to pray(Mt 14:23) in solitude(Jn 6:15) and to be with his Father. He was transfigured (Mt 17:1-8) in the presence of his disciples, ascended into heaven(Acts 1:10-12), and "refuted Satan's temptations" (Mt 4:8) from the mountains.

We may not have access to a physical mountain to pray daily, but we can have that special place to commune with God. And to refute the devil's lies by believing and speaking the truth of Scripture (out loud). 

My companions and I allowed inconvenient obstacles like money and time to keep us from experiencing the Alps. Don't let distractions keep you from encountering the LORD.  We make time and sacrifices for what we value most. We have access to the throne of grace at any time.

Prayer:

 Father, we come into your presence through Jesus - by the Holy Spirit. Would you help us to find a place of solitude? It doesn't have to be a mountain but a place where we can meet with You undistracted. We ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know you better. We are desperate to encounter Your Presence. And to learn what it means to abide in You. Amen

(1) Source: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

I'm Groaning

 The Scripture:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:22-26  ESV

Reflection:

Is it just me? Is it just my age? Or is anyone else groaning?  What about creation?

The answer is yes to all of the above questions. There is a lot of groaning - Scripture says that all creation is groaning.  We groan in our physical bodies and long to be "swallowed up" in immorality.

There is a heaviness in the air. Real opposition.

It is the world, the flesh, and the devil (in collusion) bringing depression and hopelessness to the inhabitants of the earth. The heaviness that the enemy of our soul brings is to keep us from completing the assignment God has given to his children to accomplish. 

The Apostle Paul wrote; "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

Whatever else predestination means - it means God has a people. A people being conformed to the image of Jesus and doing good works. 

Our assignment is to bring the values and ethics of Jesus to those around us. I have failed at this often.

Only spiritually transformed people (not perfect) can advance God's agenda on earth.

Transformation only comes to those who have the joy of the LORD through fellowship with the Father and the Son.

God wants to be known, loved, and valued. While He is not lonely he desires our company. Our time with Him in prayer empowers us to live a life pleasing to him and beneficial to those around us.

He reveals himself to those who humble themselves and acknowledge their spiritual poverty. Only through God's Word and Presence can this transformation take place. 

It's still possible to seek Him. As long as we have breath - it's not too late. 

Salvation is in Jesus alone. (John 14:6) Our hope is in Jesus the King who will return to set up his Kingdom and restore the earth to its original purpose. 

All things will be summed up in Christ - the maker of Heaven and Earth.

Scripture To Meditate On:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3 NIV

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." - Romans 8:29 ESV

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?” - 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV

" For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." -  Colossians 1:16-18 ESV

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea." - Revelation 21:1 ESV