ÿWPCƒ* £)ÓÑ�nœ ÐÈË7â@ø´6Ä1W“%Ѧž8Ê�Z¸Ïëmþ7M}`ý`ŒŒâa[óoîîÔâã]BÙ<¹¸¬BmÖaΠ ´Á•ÑLup�ŠKUã\°9¤ó$¢·g5¹2î£RÜ‚I–ZšN¶#éÛ¨,Ž)V‹¦9šP´»O¾¤˜jÙÖAI� „»�ýÖÉÑnœQšIÈX`Ké'*EoÆwN=UB??–�àÖ÷bÍÉÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ@ ¤oó®®@ ¡oë« 0V–– 0Vì@ BoëL 0V77@ �oë—¾‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ ‚ 0V@# D5–# BË# D-è#è#è# AS$Æh$ 0V.% 0D„% D5È% Bý% D5& BO& D5l& B¡& D5¾&¾&¾& D5ó& B *(' D5R' B*‡' D5±' B*æ' D5( B*E( D5o( B7¤( B7Û(Û(Û(Û(Û(Û(Û(Û(Û(Æ))) A «Ø)˜Canon TR8600 seriesìî.**.ìî0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô< Œ p`‹*Times New RomanTT8DocumentManagement::ModifiedBooleanTRUE ûÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÝ ƒb½ÞÿÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ýò òÔ‡!XõPXXXÔÔ‡!„ „X!XõPÔà@¨àTHE€SOVEREIGNTY€OF€GODó óÔ#†„ „„!„ L#ÔÔ#†XõPX„„ k#Ô ÊÝ ƒD½Þ)ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔßA€\) °°xdE°ÇxAßÐ È ÐòòThe€Doctrine€of€GodÐ × ÐLECTURE€6óóýÿ dgg)÷ÿ! dxdx9q9]ÂÛB7]ÄY¥k7ÈJª3|x¹ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ @X ÑÔ‡XõPXXXÔPink€A.€W.€ò òThe€Sovereignty€Of€Godó ó:€Grand€Rapids,€Michigan:€Baker,€1930:€pg.19Ô#†XõPXXXõPq#Ô(.(3Ä($¤¤Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(.3½Þ$§§Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman (ÍO$——ÔÿÔòòóóÔÿÔhttp://www.baptistpublications.org/(#Ã$��òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XõPXXXÔHodge,€A.€A.€ò òOutlines€Of€Theologyó ó.€Grand€Rapids,€Michigan:€Zondervan,€1879(1972Ð È Ðed.):€pg€202Ô#†XõPXXXõPe#Ô Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XõPXXXÔTheissen,€H.€C.€ò òLectures€In€Systematic€Theology.ó ó€Grand€Rapids,€Michigan:€Eerdmans,Ð È Ðpg€197Ô#†XõPXXXõPe#Ôô\  `&Times New Roman Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XõPXXXÔBancroft,€E.€H.€ò òElemental€Theologyó ó:€Grand€Rapids,€Michigan,€Zondervan€1977:€pgÐ È Ð106.Ô#†XõPXXXõPe#Ô Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XõPXXXÔTheissen,€H.€C.€ò òLectures€In€Systematic€Theology€Grand€Rapidsó ó,€Michigan,Ð È ÐEerdmans,€1974:€pg€147.Ô#†XõPXXXõPe#Ô �Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5< Œ p`‹*Times New RomanTThttp://www.earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/docs/TheSovereigntyOfGod.pdf ÖÝ ƒG½Þ*ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  ÓßA€\) °°xdE°ÇxAßÐ È ÐòòThe€Doctrine€of€GodÐ × ÐLECTURE€6óó ÌÝ ƒ½Þ'ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòòòÓ  Ó€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€LANDMARKS€OF€BAPTIST€DOCTRINEððóóóóPage ù ¿Ý ƒB½Þ(ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòòòLANDMARKS€OF€BAPTIST€DOCTRINESðð€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóóó> ÿWPC°°âÿâÿÒδ°51ÿÿÿ3%)+51d!0 à]Ì·€ùùÿÿiì¹ °°€°°Bàiì¹+Iÿ*$ ¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹A ÿWPC°°âÿâÿ¢Ø„º51ÿÿÿ3%)+51d!(à€“ûÿÿiì¹ °°€°°Bàiì¹+Iÿ*$ ¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹(.3½Þ$¨¨Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý(.3½Þ$©©Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝF ÿWPC°°âÿâÿ¢Ø„º51ÿÿÿ3%)+51d!(à€“ûÿÿiì¹ °°€°°Bàiì¹+Iÿ*$ ¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹(.3½Þ$ªªÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝJ ÿWPC°°âÿâÿ¢Ø„º51ÿÿÿ3%)+51d!(à€“ûÿÿiì¹ °°€°°Bàiì¹+Iÿ*$ ¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ´ß­€ƒIžŽŠ$j~8Øó „ºpÀÀö@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddH~âÿâÿ¢Ø­ßß­€ƒEžŽŠ$j~8rU „ºpÀÀö@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddH~âÿâÿ¢Ø­ßß­€ƒ@žŽŠ$j~8†�„ºpÀÀö@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddH~âÿâÿ¢Ø­ßß­€ƒ=žŽŠ$j~8Ì…´°pÀðì@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddxtâÿâÿÒέß(.3½Þ$££Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý\\\\)ÿÿ!dxdx d)!ÈÈÈÈdxdxabZc[Eþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(.3½Þ$¢¢Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óeeee)óÿ!dxdxöÿ  dgggg)ûÿ!dxdxüÿP Pdiiii)ýÿ!dxdxþÿ d )üÿ!dxdxnnnn)þÿ!dxdx&ÿÿ0 d dpppp)òÿ!dxdx&õÿP d drrrr)øÿ!dxdx&ùÿp d Pdtttt)ùÿ!dxdx&úÿp Pd dvwvw)öÿ!dxdx3øÿ+0 ÿÿÿd ÿÿÿd d3÷ÿ+0 d d d€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5€]�&Draw Object °°=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑȰÑÑÂ°ÑØ¥ØÔ‡XõPXXXÔÓ  ÓÑ  ÑÑ€ ÀÀ` ÑÖ€ÿÿÖÑ€*ÑÑ8€õPXXdìdÈ8Ñò òÑ€Kfs Ñ߀`mnnnnA1-h|70 << `€ À€E°àxˆ””P`è ßÔÿÔThis€study€is€posted€in€its€entirety€with€the€express€permission€of€the€author,€Pastor€Robert€J.Ð È ÐSargent.€It€is€Lecture€6€from€the€lecture€series€on€the€Doctrine€of€God€contained€in€ð ðòòTheÐ ´ì ÐLandmarks€of€Baptist€Doctrineóóðð,€Volume€III,€€published€by€Bible€Baptist€Publications€of€OakÐ  Ø ÐHarbor,€Washington,€€Ôÿ«ÔÔ4‚Ý î ÔÝ‚ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  Ôó óÔ#†XõPXXXõPj#Ôhttp://www.baptistpublications.org/Ô‡XõPXXXõPÔò òÔ6CÔÝ‚ÍOWƒÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7Ý …Ô€.€ÔÿÔWe€highly€recommend€this€material.€ÔÿVÔó óÐ ŒÄ Ðò òA€version€of€this€study€with€the€scriptures€included€is€available€Ô4‚#Ý ÊÔÝ‚ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  ÔhereÔ6úÔÝ‚ÍOƒÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7Ý B<Ô€.ó ó€Ô#†XõPXXXõPØ#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÐ |´ Ðâ °±°±°(#°(#â°â °±°±°±°±â°â °±°±°±°±â°â °±°±°±°±â°â °±°±°±°±â°â °±°±°±°±â°â °(#°(#°±°±âConsideration€of€the€doctrine€of€the€Sovereignty€of€God€is€sometimes€avoided€by€Baptists€becauseÐ ô ,  Ðit€is€a€feature€of€the€dark,€philosophical€circles€of€Calvinistic€discussion.€However,€this€is€no€reasonÐ à   Ðfor€us€to€bypass€such€a€blessing€ð"ð€or€shirk€our€responsibility€to€determine€what€the€Bible€teaches.Ð Ì   ÐÌAny€discussion€of€Godð ðs€sovereignty€encompasses€the€following:Ð ¤Ü  ÐÌÓ  Óà0  àà0` (#(#àðð€€The€foreknowledge€of€GodÐ|´` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àðð€€The€counsel€of€GodÐh ` (#` (# ÐÖ€)ÿÿÖà0  àà0` (#(#àðð€€The€will€of€GodÐTŒ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àðð€€The€providence€of€GodÐ@x` (#` (# ÐÓˆÓÌThese€are€some€of€the€more€difficult€areas€of€theology€ð"ð€largely€because€we€who€are€òòfinite€óóareÐ P Ðattempting€to€comprehend€the€òòInfinite€óóOne.€Nevertheless,€as€always,€we€must€be€guided€by€the€WordÐ < Ðof€God.Ð ð( ÐÌò òÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔI.à  àòòTHE€SOVEREIGNTY€OF€GODÔ#†XõPX»¼2É4 #Ôóóó óÐ È Ðà  àThe€word€ð ðsovereignðð€means€ð ðsupremeðð€ð"ð€to€be€ððabove€all€othersðð,€and€to€be€ððindependent€ò òÐ Ü Ðó óà  àof€all€othersðð.Ð È Ðà0  àIt€is€without€dispute€that€our€God€is€absolutely€sovereign.€This€is€affirmed€by€both€logic€andÐ ´ì ÐScripture:РØ(#(# ÐÌà0  àò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔA.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Sovereignty€Is€Logicalóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj: #ÔÐx° (#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óð ðTo€òòdeclare€God€sovereign€is€to€declare€Him€Godðð.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€óó€If€God€were€not€sovereign,€HeÐ v ®! Ðwould€be€finite€ð"ð€someone€else€would€be€master.Ðb!š"` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔB.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Sovereignty€is€Scripturalóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj#ÔÐ:#r!$(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óThe€Bible€declares€God€to€beò ò€ó óòòsupremeóó€òò(I€Chronicles€29:12;€Psalm€47:2)€óóandÐ 8$p"% Ðtherefore€sovereign€òò(Psalm€115:3;€Isaiah€14:24).Ð(%`#&` (#` (# ÐóóÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òC.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Sovereignty€Is€Harmoniousóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCj¤#ÔÐ'8%((#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€Sovereignty€of€God€does€not€transcend€or€overrule€His€attributes€ð"ð€it€is€inÐ þ'6&) Ðconsonance€with€them.€This€fact€is€extremely€important€to€keep€in€mind€in€order€toÐ ê("'* Ðavoid€ððCalvinistic„confusionð ð€in€matters€such€as€predestination€and€free€will.ÐÖ)(+` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€king„pin€of€the€Calvinist€philosophy€is€the€Sovereignty€of€God€ð"ð€the€problemÐ ®+æ)-¾ ÐÔ_Ôbeing€that€òòtheir€óóconcept€of€sovereignty€leans€towards€capriciousness.Ð|` (#` (# ÐÔ_ÔÌà0  àà0` (#(#àHowever,€God€òòò òneveró ó€óóignores€His€attributes€just€because€He€is€sovereign€and€can€doÐ TØ Ðanything€He€wants€to.€The€fact€is€He€is€òòalways€óóholy,€He€is€òòalways€óóloving,€He€isÐ @Ä Ðòòalways€óógracious€and€merciful,€He€is€òòalways€óólongsuffering,€He€is€òòalways€óójust,€He€isÐ ,° Ðòòalways€óóimmutable,€He€is€òòalways€óóTruth€ð"ð€and,€He€is€òòalways€óóSovereign!М` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àGod€exercises€His€absolute€sovereignty€in€ways€consistent€with€all€His€attributes.€HeÐ ð t Ðis€never€arbitrary€in€what€He€does€or€decrees.ÐÜ `` (#` (# Ðà  àÌÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔò òII.à  àòòTHE€FOREKNOWLEDGE€OF€GODóóÔ#†XõPX»¼2É’#ÔÐ ´ 8  Ðà0  àó óOne€of€the€most€vexing€questions€mooted€in€theological€circles€deals€with€the€reconciling€ofÐ È L  ÐGodð ðs€foreknowledge€and€His€sovereignty.д8 (#(# ÐÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òÌà0  àA.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Foreknowledge€Is€Logicalóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCjã#ÔО" (#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àIf€God€did€not€know€about€some€thing€before€it€happened,€He€would€not€be€God.€TheÐ œ  Ðfact€is,€nothing€ever€occurs€to€God€ð"ð€nothing€surprises€Him!€Ðˆ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òB.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Foreknowledge€Is€Scripturalóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCj#ÔÐ`ä(#(# ÐÖ€$ÿÿÖà0  àà0` (#(#àGod€is€omniscient€ð"ð€therefore€He€knows€òòð ðthe€end€from€the€beginningðð.€€(IsaiahÐ ^â Ð46:10).ÐJÎ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóSee€also:€òòIsaiah€42:9óóÐ"¦` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àThis€simply€means€that€every€event€in€time,€every€thought,€word,€and€deed€of€man,Ð ú~ Ðevery€sparrow€that€falls,€every€soul€that€is€òòsaved€ð"ð€everything€ð"ð€is€óóknown€to€God,Ð æj Ðand€was€known€to€God€in€eternity€past.ÐÒV` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€Bible€gives€several€specific€examples€of€Godð ðs€foreknowledge:Ъ.` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòHe€Foreknew€The€Need€To€Send€His€Son€To€The€Crossóó.Ђ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àActs€2:23Ðn ò` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòHe€Foreknew€All€Who€Would€Receive€His€Son€As€Saviouróó.ÐF"Ê!` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àRomans€8:29;€I€Peter€1:2Ð2#¶"` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó3.à ¸ àòòHe€Foreknew€The€History€Of€His€Chosen€People,€Israelóó.Ð %Ž!$` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àòòRomans€11:2Ðö%z"%` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àóóÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òC.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Foreknowledge€Is€Harmoniousóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCjÍ#ÔÐÎ'R$'(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€fact€that€God€has€known€everything€that€has,€is,€and€will€take€place€in€time€fromÐ Ì(P%( Ðeternity€past€does€not€condition€His€sovereignty.и)<&)` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àCalvinist€philosophy,€which€argues€that€since€God€knew€a€certain€event€would€takeÐ �+(+ Ðplace€in€time€He€must€of€necessity€have€ordained€it€to€be€ð"ð€or€else€He€could€not€beÐ |,), Ðsovereign,€is€erroneous.€This€rationale,€applied€to€the€area€of€salvation€states€thatÐ h-ì)- Ðsince€God€knew€back€in€eternity€past€who€would€be€saved,€it€had€to€be€because€HeÐ | Ðordained€who€would€be€saved.€While€this€logic€may€make€sense€to€some,€theÐ hì Ðramifications€in€the€area€of€sin€are€startling!€i.e.€Since€God€knew€back€in€eternity€pastÐ TØ Ðthat€sin€would€enter€into€the€world,€it€had€to€be€because€He€sovereignly€ordained€itÐ @Ä Ðto€be€so.€(God€is€the€Author€of€sin!)Ð,°` (#` (# ÐÌà  àà ` àThis€matter€will€be€further€considered€at€a€later€point€in€this€lecture.Ð  ˆ ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òD.à ` àòòGodð ðs€Foreknowledge€And€His€Eternal€Purposeóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCj%#ÔÐÜ `(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€Bible€speaks€of€Godð ðs€ððeternal€purposeð ð.€A€study€of€the€relevant€ScripturesÐ Ú ^  Ðshows€this€relates€to€Godð ðs€plan€of€redemption€through€His€Son.€By€HisÐ Æ J  Ðforeknowledge€God€knew€in€eternity€past€what€man€would€do€with€his€free€will,€andÐ ² 6  Ðso€determined€the€great€Plan€of€Salvation.€His€eternal€purpose€is€centered€in€His€SonÐ ž"  Ðòòð"ðEphesians€3:11ð"ð€óóand€involves€the€following:Њ ` (#` (# ÐÌÖ€+ÿÿÖà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòThe€Provision€Of€Redemption€By€Christóó.€òòÐbæ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àI€Peter€1€:18„20;€Revelation€13:8ÐNÒ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòThe€Promise€Of€Eternal€Life€Through€Christóó.€òòÐ&ª` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àTitus€1:2Ж` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóà0¸ ` (#` (#àà ` à3.à ¸ àòòThe€Predestination€Of€Those€In€Christóó.€òòÐên¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àEphesians€1:4,5;€Romans€8:29;€II€Thessalonians€2:13,14.ÐÖZ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóò òNote:à0¸ (#¸ (#àó óThe€subject€of€election€and€foreordination€will€be€dealt€with€moreÐ ®2 Ðfully€under€the€Doctrine€of€Salvation.О"(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à4.à ¸ àòòThe€Purchase€Of€The€Church€Of€Christóó.€òòÐvú` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àEphesians€3:3„11Ðbæ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó5.à ¸ àòòThe€Prospect€Of€The€Consummation€By€Christóó.Ð:¾` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àòòIsaiah€14:24„27.Ð& ª` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àóóLike€the€sovereignty€of€God,€His€foreknowledge€is€always€consistent€with€His€otherÐ þ!‚! Ðattributes€ð"ð€including€His€counsel.Ðê"n"(#(# ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔIII.à  àòòTHE€COUNSEL€OF€GODóóÔ#†XõPX»¼2É).#ÔÐ š&#& Ðà0  àó óThe€Counsel€of€God€is€an€aspect€of€His€attribute€of€wisdom€ð"ð€we€may€define€it€as€theÐ ®'2$' Ðòòexpression€óóof€His€infinite€wisdom.€The€Counsel€of€God€figures€into€the€discussion€on€theÐ š(%( Ðsovereignty€of€God€because€in€Calvinist€thinking€it€is€synonymous€with€His€sovereignÐ †) &) Ðdecree.Ðr*ö&*(#(# ÐÌà0  àò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔA.à ` àòòThe€Counsel€Of€God€ó óð"ð€ò òViewed€Philosophicallyóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj50#ÔÐJ,Î(,(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óBased€upon€Scripture€references€such€asò ò€òòó óActs€2:23€óóand€òòActs€4:28.óó€Calvinists€see€theÐ N-Ò)- ÐCounsel€of€God€as€a€foreordaining€decree,€predetermined€in€eternity€past€by€aÐ | Ðsovereign€God.Ðhì` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€Westminster€Shorter€Catechism€states:€òòð ðThe€decrees€of€óóGod€òòare€His€eternalÐ @Ä Ðpurpose,€according€to€the€counsel€of€His€will,€whereby,€for€His€own€glory,€he€hathÐ ,° Ðforeordained€whatsoever€comes€to€pass.М` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóBancroft€says:€òòð ðThe€counsel€of€God€is€that€eternal€scheme€of€all€things€adopted€byÐ ð t Ðthe€Divine€mind€which€embraces€all€His€original€designs,€including€everything€in€theÐ Ü ` Ðcreative€and€redemptive€program€of€God€and€involving€or€embracing€the€free€actionsÐ È L  Ðof€men.ððóóò ò׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×д 8 ` (#` (# Ðó óÌà0  àà0` (#(#àThiessen€states:€òòð ðThe€decrees€of€God€are€His€eternal€purpose€or€purposes,€based€onÐ Œ  ÐHis€most€wise€and€holy€counsel,€whereby€He€freely€and€unchangeably,€for€His€ownÐ xü  Ðglory,€ordained€either€efficaciously€or€permissively,€all€that€comes€to€pass.ððóóò ò׃\×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ðdè ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔB.à ` àòòThe€Counsel€Of€God€ð"ð€Viewed€Scripturallyóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCjõ6#ÔÐ<À(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óAs€always,€we€must€let€Scripture€define€and€interpret€Scripture.€On€this€subject,€theÐ :¾ ÐWord€of€God€reveals€some€interesting€facts€(not€speculations!):Ð&ª` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòThe€Counsel€Of€God€òòò òIsó ó€óóThe€Word€Of€Godóó.Ðþ‚` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThe€following€Scriptures€show€that€we€have€the€counsel€of€God€in€our€hands:Ð ên ÐòòPsalm€33:11;€73:24;€107:11;€Jeremiah€23:18;€Micah€4:12;€Actsóó€òò20:27.ÐÖZ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóà0¸ ` (#` (#àNote€the€following:Ю2¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àa.à  àòòWe€Have€The€ð ðMind€Of€Christððóó€ð"ð€òòI€Corinthians€2:16І ` (#` (# Ðà0  àÐ (#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àóóà0¸ ` (#` (#àb.à  àòòWe€Have€ALL€Of€Godð ðs€Counselóó€ð"ð€òòActs€20:27Ð^⸠(#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àóóà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà ¸ àc.à  àòòWe€May€Not€Understand€It€Fullyóó€ð"ð€òòRomans€11:33,34€Ð6º(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àóóTruly,€Godð ðs€wisdom€is€infinite.Ð" ¦(#(# ÐÌà0  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àSee€also:€òòIsaiah€55:8,9.Ðú!~!(#(# ÐóóÌà0  àà ` àà ¸ àd.à  àòòWe€Can€Reject€Itóó€ð"ð€òòLuke€7:30;€Proverbs€1:24,25,30ÐÒ#V #(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòThe€Decrees€Of€God€Are€Stated€In€The€Word€Of€Godóó.Ъ%."%` (#` (# Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð –&#& Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àThese€are:Ђ'$'` (#` (# Їà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àòòGodð ðs€Decree€To€Provide€Rainóó€ð"ð€òòJob€28:26Ð|¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóób.à  àòòGodð ðs€Decree€Concerning€The€Lord€Jesus€Christóó€ð"ð€òòPsalm€2:7€óóÐTظ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àThe€decree€to€send€His€Son€into€the€world€to€die€for€the€sins€ofÐ @Ä Ðmankind€is€the€òòonlyóó€stated€ò òpreó ódetermined€act€of€God.€See:€òòActs€2:23;Ð ,° Ð4:28;€I€Peter€1:20;€Luke€22:22a.Р(#(# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àòòGodð ðs€Decree€To€Establish€The€Heavensóó€ð"ð€òòPsalm€148:6Ðô x¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóód.à  àòòGodð ðs€Decree€To€Contain€The€Seaóó€ð"ð€òòProverbs€8:29;€Jeremiah€5:22ÐÌ P ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóe.à  àòòGodð ðs€Decree€To€Deliver€Israelóó€ð"ð€òòIsaiah€10:22Ф ( ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóf.à  àòòGodð ðs€Decree€Concerning€King€Nebuchadnezzaróó€ð"ð€òòDaniel€4:24Ð| ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóà0¸ ` (#` (#àThere€òòare€òòò ònoó óóóóó€other€decrees€of€God.ÐTØ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòOther€Things€Are€Determined€By€Godóó.Ð,°` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àThe€Bible€does€speak€of€the€Lord€determining€certain€events.€For€example:М` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àòòGod€Has€Determined€Certain€Prophetic€Eventsóó.Ððt¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà  àDaniel€9:24,26,27;€11:36.ÐÜ`¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóób.à  àòòGod€Has€Determined€The€Days€Of€A€Manóó.д8¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà  àJob€14:5.Р$¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àóóSome€interpret€this€to€mean€that€God€has€decreed€the€length€of€eachÐ xü Ðmanð ðs€life.€Obviously,€God€knows€how€long€each€man€will€live.Ð dè ÐHowever,€since€it€is€possible€for€a€man€to€òòð ðdie€before€his€timeððÐ PÔ Ð(Ecclesiastes€7:17),€óóit€appears€this€reference€relates€more€to€theÐ <À Ðð ðboundsðð€(boundary)€set€by€God€in€òòPsalm€90:10.Ð(¬(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóc.à  àòòGod€Has€Determined€The€Boundaries€Of€The€Nationsóó.Ð!„ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà  àActs€17:26;€Deuteronomy€32:8.Ðì!p!¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àóóObviously,€this€determination€by€a€sovereign€God€is€not€irresistiblyÐ Ä#H # Ðenforced.€Man€has€violated€these€boundaries€ð"ð€albeit€to€his€ownÐ °$4!$ Ðsorrow!М% "%(#(# ÐÌò òÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔIV.à  àòòTHE€WILL€OF€GODóóÔ#†XõPX»¼2É*L#ÔÐ t'ø#' Ðà0  àó óThe€expressed€Will€of€God€is€the€same€thing€as€the€Counsel€of€God.€God€has€sovereignlyÐ ˆ( %( Ðdetermined€to€reveal€Himself€to€man€and€His€will€is€fully€expressed€through€His€Word€ð"ðÐ t)ø%) ÐòòDeuteronomy€29:29.Ð`*ä&*(#(# ÐÌà0  àóóò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔA.à ` àòòThe€Will€Of€God€Is€Revealed€To€Manóó.€ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCjÔM#ÔÐ8,¼(,(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àHow€do€we€know€this?ò òó óÐ6-º)-(#(# ÐÐ ".¦*. Ðà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòBecause€It€Can€Be€Knownóó.Ð|` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àEphesians€5:17;€Colossians€1:9;€4:12.Ðhì` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòBecause€It€Can€Be€Doneóó.Ð@Ä` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àGod€would€not€expect€us€to€actually€do€His€will€without€telling€us€what€it€is.Ð ,° ÐThe€following€Scriptures€establish€that€Godð ðs€will€can€be€done:М¸ (#¸ (# ÐòòÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àPsalm€40:8;€143:10;€Matthew€6:10;€7:21;€12:50;€Mark€3:35;€John€7:17;Ð ð t ÐHebrews€10:36;€I€Peter€4:2;€1€John€2:17.ÐÜ `¸ (#¸ (# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòBecause€It€Can€Be€Provedóó.д 8 ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòRomans€12:2.€óó€How€is€the€mind€renewed?€How€is€the€will€of€God€proven?Ð   $  ÐThrough€the€knowledge€of€the€Scriptures!ÐŒ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à4.à ¸ àòòBecause€It€Is€Explicitly€Statedóó.Ðdè ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àSee:à  àòòI€Thessalonians€4:3;€5:18;€1€Peter€2:15.ÐPÔ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóThe€Word€of€God€reveals€numerous€details€about€the€will€of€God€ð"ð€both€to€the€lost,Ð (¬ Ðand€to€the€child€of€God.И` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òB.à ` àòòIs€There€A€ð ðSecretðð€Will€Of€God?Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj U#Ôó óóóÐìp(#(# Ðà0  àà ` àIf€there€is,€then€no€man€can€be€expected€to€do€it.Ðên(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àHowever€there€is€no€secret€will€of€God€whereby€He€sovereignly€determines€who€willÐ ÂF Ðbe€saved€and€who€will€not€be€saved.€This€would€be€impossible€because€His€òòrevealedÐ ®2 Ðóówill€clearly€is:К` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòThat€All€Should€Be€Savedóó.Ðrö` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àII€Peter€3:9;€Matthew€18:14;€1€Timothy€2:4.Ð^â` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòThat€All€Who€Believe€On€Christ€WILL€Be€Savedóó.Ð6º` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àòòJohn€3:18.€óóCompare€this€with€òòIsaiah€45:19.Ð" ¦` (#` (# ÐÌóóà0  àà0` (#(#àGod€òòòòò òneveró óóó€óówills€sin.€See:€òòJeremiah€19:5.Ðú!~!` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àóóÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òC.à ` àòòIs€There€A€ð ðPermissiveðð€Will€Of€Godóó?ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCj­Y#ÔÐÒ#V #(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àThough€this€term€is€not€found€in€Scripture,€the€concept€of€a€permissive€will€(at€leastÐ Ð$T!$ Ðfrom€a€human€perspective)€is.€This€term€is€applied€to€situations€where€the€expressÐ ¼%@"% Ðwill€of€God€(the€òòððperfectð ð€óówill€of€God€ð"ð€òòRomans€12:2)€óóis€not€followed,€and€yetÐ ¨&,#& Ðwhere€the€Lord€apparently€permits€certain€things€to€proceed€anyway.Д'$'` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àFor€example:Ðl)ð%)` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòAbraham€Was€Permitted€To€Go€Down€To€Egyptóó.ÐD+È'+` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àSee:€òòGenesis€12:10€óóetc.Ð0,´(,` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àGodð ðs€perfect€will€was€for€Abram€to€remain€in€the€Land€he€was€specificallyÐ .Œ*. Ðcalled€to.€Nevertheless,€God€allowed€him€to€step€out€of€that€will€and€go€toÐ | ÐEgypt€(a€picture€of€the€world€ð"ð€òòIsaiah€31:1).€óóIn€Egypt,€Abram€compoundedÐ hì Ðhis€folly€by€having€his€wife€lie.ÐTظ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.à ¸ àòòIsrael€Was€Permitted€To€Have€A€Kingóó.Ð,°` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àSee:€òòI€Samuel€8:4„22.М` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóClearly,€Godð ðs€perfect€will€for€His€chosen€people€was€a€Theocracy,€òò(JudgesÐ ð t Ð2:16)óó.€However,€God€permitted€them€to€have€a€kingð"ðsomething€they€laterÐ Ü ` Ðregretted€(see:€òòverses€11„18;€I€Samuel€14:52;€I€Kings€12:1,4,11).ÐÈ L ¸ (#¸ (# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòJohn€Mark€Was€Permitted€To€Return€Homeóó.Р $ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àSee:€òòActs€13:5,13.ÐŒ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóGodð ðs€perfect€will€was€for€the€Gospel€to€be€preached€to€òòð ðevery€creatureðð.€óóÐ dè  ÐJohn€Mark€accompanied€Saul€and€Barnabas€on€a€church„planting€venture€intoÐ PÔ  ÐAsia„minor.€For€some€reason€(homesickness,€fear,€etc.)€he€quit€the€team€andÐ <À Ðwent€home.€Evidently€the€apostle€Paul€believed€he€had€stepped€out€of€Godð ðsÐ (¬ Ðwill€and€had€weakened€the€effectiveness€of€their€mission.€The€issue€laterÐ ˜ Ðbecame€a€divisive€matter€of€contention€between€he€and€Barnabas€ð"ð€òòActsÐ „ Ð15:36„40.Ðìp¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóThis€so„called€permissive€will€of€God€really€falls€into€the€category€of€the€ProvidenceÐ ÄH Ðof€God,€because€God€invariably€uses€it€to€accomplish€His€perfect€will€anyway.а4` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà ` à*à ¸ àWe€note€that€God€used€the€adverse€situation€in€Egypt€to€bring€Abram€backÐ ˆ  Ðinto€the€center€of€His€perfect€will€òò(Genesis€12:20;€13:1,3).Ðtø¸ (#¸ (# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà ` à*à ¸ àWe€understand€through€the€prophetic€Word€that€God€will€use€the€throne€ofÐ LÐ ÐDavid€to€re„establish€Israel€under€a€true€Theocracy€òò(Isaiah€9:6,7;€43:15;Ð 8¼ ÐJeremiah€23:5,6).Ð$¨¸ (#¸ (# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà ` à*à ¸ àGod€used€the€circumstances€surrounding€John€Markð ðs€departure€to€increaseÐ ü €  Ðthe€spread€of€the€Gospel.€The€sharp€contention€between€Paul€and€BarnabasÐ è!l! Ð(an€incident€itself€normally€outside€of€Godð ðs€perfect€will€òòð"ðProverbs€13:10;Ð Ô"X" Ð18:18,19)€óóresulted€in€òòtwo€óóevangelistic€teams€instead€of€one€taking€the€GospelÐ À#D # Ðto€the€lost.€€As€for€John€Mark,€the€Lord€evidently€used€this€personal€failureÐ ¬$0!$ Ðin€his€life€to€produce€a€trustworthy€servant€ð"ð€the€writer€of€the€Gospel€ofÐ ˜%"% ÐMark€and€a€profitable€ally€of€Paul€òò(II€Timothy€4:11).Є&#&¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóNo€one€should€use€the€permissive€will€of€God€as€an€excuse€for€disobedience€to€theÐ \(à$( Ðrevealed€will€of€God.€No€matter€how€acceptable€the€permissive€will€of€God€may€be,Ð H)Ì%) Ðit€will€never€be€as€acceptable€to€God€as€His€perfect€will.Ð4*¸&*` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àFrom€manð ðs€perspective,€see:€òòPsalm€106:15Ð ,�(,` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóFrom€Godð ðs€perspective,€see:€òòNumbers€14:18Ðä-h*.` (#` (# ЇÌà0  àóóò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔD.à ` àòòIs€There€A€Purpose€To€Godð ðs€Willóó?Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj2m#ÔÐhì(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óSome€believe€Godð ðs€ultimate€aim€is€the€happiness€or€the€holiness€of€man.€OthersÐ fê Ðthink€it€is€the€establishment€of€His€rule€over€all€creation.€While€these€aims€may€beÐ RÖ Ðencompassed€in€what€God€does,€the€single€purpose€of€His€will€is€His€glory.Ð > ÐEverything€God€does€is€designed€ultimately€to€His€glory€ð"ð€òòIóó€òòChroniclesÐ *® Ð16:24,28,29;€Psalm€115:1;€Ephesians€1:6,12,14c;€Philippians€2:11;€I€Timothy€1:17;Ð  š Ð1€Peter€4:11;€Jude€25.€óóSee€also:€òòActs€12:23;€Romans€1:21;€3:23.Ð †` (#` (# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòCreation€Glorifies€Godóó.ÐÚ ^ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àPsalm€19:1ÐÆ J ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòIsrael€Glorifies€Godóó.О" ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àIsaiah€48:11;€49:3;€60:21Њ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó3.à ¸ àòòSalvation€Glorifies€Godóó.Ðbæ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àòòRomans€9:23;€Ephesians€1€:6,12,14cÐNÒ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó4.à ¸ àòòBelievers€Glorify€Godóó.Ð&ª` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà ¸ àI€Corinthians€6:20;€10:31;€Romans€15:6Ж` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóa.à  àBy€their€works€ð"ð€òòMatthew€5:16Ðên¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóób.à  àBy€their€fruit€ð"ð€òòJohn€15:8ÐÂF¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóc.à  àBy€their€words€ð"ð€òòPsalm€50:23;€II€Corinthians€4:15К¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóód.à  àBy€their€sufferings€ð"ð€òòII€Thessalonians€1:10,12;€I€Peter€4:14,16Ðrö¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóe.à  àBy€their€death€ð"ð€òòJohn€21:19ÐJθ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó5.à ¸ àòòChurches€Glorify€Godóó.€òòÐ" ¦` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àEphesians€3:21Ð!’ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó6.à ¸ àòòThe€Millennium€Will€Glorify€Godóó.€òòÐæ"j"` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àPsalm€86:9ÐÒ#V #` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó7.à ¸ àòòHeaven€Glorifies€Godóó.Ъ%."%` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àIts€occupants€ð"ð€òòRevelation€4:9,11;€5:12,13Ђ'$'¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóób.à  àIts€city€ð"ð€òòRevelation€21:11ÐZ)Þ%)¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà  àò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔetc.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCjày#Ôó óÔ#†XõPXXXõPÌ#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÐF*Ê&*¸ (#¸ (# Ðà@ìì*ìàóóˆÌÌÌÐ .ˆ*. ЇÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔò òVII.à  àòòTHE€PROVIDENCE€OF€GODóóÔ#†XõPX»¼2ɹz#ÔÐ | ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔA.à ` àòòThe€Providence€Of€God€Definedóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCjK{#ÔÐ|(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óð ðProvidenceðð€comes€from€the€Greek€root,€òòð ðpronoiaðð€óówhich€means€ð ðto€provide.ðð€ItÐ zþ Ðis€the€provision€and€care€God€exerts€to€accomplish€His€divine€purpose.€It€is€Godð ðsÐ fê Ðbidding,€control,€direction,€overruling,€and€permission€in€the€affairs€of€His€creation.ÐRÖ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òB.à ` àòòThe€Basis€Of€Godð ðs€Providenceóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCji}#ÔÐ* ®(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€providence€of€God€extends€from,€and€is€in€consonance€with,€the€attributes€ofÐ ( ¬ ÐGod.Ð ˜ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.€€à0¸ ` (#` (#àòòHe€Is€Wiseóó.Ðì p ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àTherefore€we€may€expect€God€to€act€rationally.ÐØ\ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.à ¸ àòòHe€Is€Goodóó.а4 ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àTherefore€He€will€have€the€interests€of€His€creatures€at€heart.М ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.€à0¸ ` (#` (#àòòHe€Is€Omnipotentóó.Ðtø¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àTherefore€we€can€be€confident€He€has€the€ability€to€accomplish€His€purposes.Ð`ä` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òC.à ` àòòThe€Scriptural€Proof€Of€Godð ðs€Providenceóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCjŠ�#ÔÐ8¼(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óThat€Godð ðs€sovereignty€extends€over€all€His€creation€is€made€abundantly€clear€in€theÐ 6º ÐBible.€For€example:Ð"¦` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòProvidence€In€The€Physical€Realmóó.Ðú~` (#` (# Ðòòà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àPsalm€103:19;€147:16„18;€I€Samuel€7:10;€Job€9:5„7;€37:10:€38:12„35;€ActsÐ æj Ð14:17.ÐÒV¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó2.à ¸ àòòProvidence€In€The€Animal€Kingdomóó.Ъ.` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àòòJob€12:10;€Psalm€104:21,28,29;€147:9;€Matthew€6:26;€10:29.Ж` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóó3.à ¸ àòòProvidence€In€The€Affairs€Of€The€Nationsóó.Ðn ò` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àòòà0¸ ` (#` (#àJob€12:23;€Psalm€22:28;€66:7;€75:6,7;€Proverbs€21:1;€Isaiah€10:5„7;€DanielÐ Z!Þ  Ð4:25b;€Acts€17:26;€Romans€13:1.ÐF"Ê!¸ (#¸ (# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#à4.à ¸ àòòProvidence€In€The€Preservation€Of€His€Wordóó.Ð$¢ #` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àòòPsalm€12:6,7;€Matthew€24:35;€óóetc.Ð %Ž!$` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àà  àà h à[See:€Unit€1,ò ò€ó óLecture€8]à0È` (#` (#àÐâ&f#&È(#È(# ÐÌÌà0  àà0` (#(#à5.à ¸ àòòProvidence€Over€All€Individualsóó.Ъ).&)` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àòòIn€Birth€And€Lifeóó:Ђ+(+¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà0¸ (#¸ (#à1€Samuel€16:1;€Esther€4:14;€Psalm€139:16;€Isaiah€45:5;€JeremiahÐ n,ò(, Ð1:5;€Galatians€1€:15,16.ÐZ-Þ)-(#(# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àb.à  àòòIn€The€Course€Of€Manð ðs€Lifeóó:Ðhì¸ (#¸ (# Ðòòà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àMatthew€10:30;€Luke€1:52;€Proverbs€16:1,33;€I€Samuel€2:6„8;Ð TØ ÐExodus€12:36.Ð@Ä(#(# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àòòIn€Needsóó:М¸ (#¸ (# Ðòòà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àPsalm€4:8;€5:12;€63:8;€121:3;€Romans€8:28;€Philippians€4:19;€IsaiahÐ  ˆ Ð64:4.Ðð t(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóód.à  àòòIn€Eternal€Destinyóó:ÐÈ L ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà  àPsalm€73:24;€37:23,24;€11:6.óóд 8 ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à6.€€à0¸ ` (#` (#àòòProvidence€Over€The€Actions€Of€Menóó.ÐŒ ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà@ßß ìà€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ˆÐ xü  Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àòòIn€Generalóó:Ðdè ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà0¸ (#¸ (#àExodus€12:36;€I€Samuel€24:18;€Exodus€7:27;€Proverbs€19:21;€21:1;Ð PÔ  ÐJeremiah€10:23;€Philippians€2:13.Ð<À(#(# ÐóóÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àb.à  àòòSometimes,€God€Permits€Sinóó:И¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àòòII€Samuel€16:10;€24:1;€II€Thessalonians€2:11,12;€II€ChroniclesÐ „ Ð32:31;€Psalm€81:12,13;€Hosea€4:17;€Acts€14:16;€Romans€1:24,26,28.Ðìp(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóò òà0¸ (#¸ (#àNote:€à0h(#(#àó óThis€is€onlyò ò€ó óafter€opportunities€for€righteousness€have€beenÐ ÄH Ðrejected.д8h(#h(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àòòSometimes,€God€Prevents€Sinóó:ÐŒ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà  àòòGenesis€20:6;€Psalm€19:13;€Hosea€2:6.Ðxü¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóód.à  àòòAlways,€God€Limits€Sinóó:ÐPÔ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àòòà  àJob€1:12;€Psalm€124:2,3;€1€Corinthians€10:13;€Revelation€20:2,3.Ð<À¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àóóÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òD.à ` àòòThe€Purpose€Of€The€Providence€Of€Godóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj ”#ÔÐ ˜(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óAccording€to€òòRomans€8:28,€óóall€things€work€together€for€GOOD.€See€also:€òòPsalmÐ !–  Ð84:11.Ðþ!‚!` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóEven€with€the€unsaved,€Godð ðs€providence€is€for€good.€See€òòActs€14:17.€€óóProvidentialÐ Ö#Z # Ðgoodness€to€the€lost€has€for€its€end€their€salvation.€See:€òòRomans€2:4.ÐÂ$F!$` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóThe€ultimate€end€of€Providence€is€the€glory€of€God.€òòIsaiah€48:11.К&#&` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àóóÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òE.à ` àòòTheories€Opposed€By€The€Providence€Of€Godóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCjë–#ÔÐr(ö$((#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àó ó1.à ¸ àòòNaturalismóó.Ð\*à&*` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€view€states€that€everything€is€governed€by€the€laws€of€nature,€and€thatÐ H+Ì'+ Ðmanð ðs€happiness€depends€on€his€cooperating€with€these€laws.Ð4,¸(,¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.à ¸ àÔ_ÔòòFatalismóó.Ð .�*.` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€view€states€that€everything€is€determined€by€fate.€Fatalists€may€call€fateÐ | Ðð ðGod,ðð€(as€does€Islam),€but€such€a€ð ðgodðð€is€arbitrary,€non„moral,€andÐ hì Ðimpersonal.ÐTظ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòPantheismóó.Ð,°` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€view€makes€man€part€of€ð ðgod,ðð€thus€making€God€sinful,€weak,€and€ofÐ œ Ðcorrupt€morality.Ð ˆ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔF.à ` àòòDifficulties€Associated€With€The€Providence€Of€Godóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCjª›#ÔÐÜ `(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àó ó1.à ¸ àòòDoes€Providence€Deny€Human€Freedomóó?ÐÆ J ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThe€providential€workings€of€God€do€not€limit€God.€Sometimes€He€allowsÐ ² 6  Ðman€to€do€as€he€pleases;€other€times€He€restrains,€or€prevents€man€from€doingÐ ž"  Ðwhat€he€desires;€always€God€over„rules€in€ways€to€accomplish€His€glory.Њ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àWhile€we€will€never€properly€comprehend€the€ways€of€God,€we€know€fromÐ bæ  ÐScripture€that€according€to€His€foreknowledge,€God€achieves€His€sovereignÐ NÒ Ðpurpose€by€whatever€of€the€above€methods€He€chooses.Ð:¾¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.à ¸ àòòDoes€Providence€Mean€I€Donð ðt€Have€To€Prayóó?Ж` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àTo€say€this€would€deny€the€many€Scriptural€exhortations€to€pray.€Evidently,Ð þ‚ Ðthere€are€some€things€God€does€only€in€answer€to€prayer.Ðên¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àAgain,€we€may€not€be€able€to€fully€understand€the€ways€of€God€(thatð ðsÐ ÂF Ðbecause€He€is€God!)€„€but€we€must€by€guided€by€Scripture.Ю2¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àFor€example,€it€would€be€foolish€to€pray€for€the€sun€to€rise€(Godð ðs€providenceÐ †  Ðtakes€care€of€that!),€but€we€would€certainly€need€to€pray€for€the€sun€not€to€set.Ð rö Ðòò(Joshua€10:12„14.)Ð^⸠(#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóA€father€will€provide€many€good€things€for€his€child,€whether€the€child€asksÐ 6º Ðfor€them€or€not€ð"ð€but€he€loves€to€be€asked,€and€may€not€give€some€thingsÐ " ¦ Ðuntil€such€time€as€he€is€asked.Ð!’ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌò òÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ ®-2*, ÐÑK™Œ Ñâ KâßÒ€ƒIžŽŠ$j~8Øó „ºpÀÀö@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddH~âÿâÿ¢ØEˆo„º„º=$PÒßßÒ€ƒEžŽŠ$j~8rU „ºpÀÀö@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddH~âÿâÿ¢ØE"Ñ „º„º×† PÒßßÒ€ƒ@žŽŠ$j~8†�„ºpÀÀö@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddH~âÿâÿ¢ØE6 „º„ºëÀ PÒßßÒ€ƒ=žŽŠ$j~8Ì…´°pÀðì@@@ÿM,²¡¹¡xixªìx´x´¹¡¹ ÀdddxtâÿâÿÒÎE|  ´°´°1 ¶ JFÒßâ KâÑ  ÑVI.à  àòòTHE€CALVINIST€QUAGMIREóóÔ#†XõPX»¼2É)¤#ÔÐ | Ðà0  àó óCalvinist€philosophy€impales€itself€on€the€horns€of€a€dilemma€when€it€elevates€theÐ � ÐSovereignty€of€God€above€His€other€attributes.Ð|(#(# ÐÌà0  àThe€Calvinist€logic€goes€something€like€this:ÐTØ(#(# ÐÌà  àà ` àòòGod€is€Sovereignóóà h à€€€€€à0 À àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àòòGod€is€OmniscientóóÐ, °p(#p(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àÔ#†XõPXXXõPLz#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔà  àà h à€€€€€€€€ò òà0 À àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àà0 È(#È(#àà0x (# (#àà0Ð x(#x(#àÔ#†XõPXXXõPVª#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÐ œÐ (#Ð (# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àÌà  àà ` àó óà0 ¸ àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àGod€knows€everything€from€the€beginningÐð t (#(# Ðà  àò òà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÔ#†XõPXXXõP?«#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÌÌà@Å Å ìàó óTherefore€God€must€have€òòdecreed€óóeverything€from€the€beginningˆÐ ´8  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h à€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ô#†XõPXXXõPñ¬#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÐ  $  Ðà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@ÀÀìàTherefore€God€foreordainsˆÐ xü  Ðà@(ìàeveryˆÐ dè Ðà@%%ìàthought,€word,€and€deedˆÐ PÔ Ðà@™™)ìàofˆÐ <À Ðà@MM&ìàevery€manˆÐ (¬ Ðà@L L ìàòò(Proverbs€16:1,9,33;€19:21;€20:24;€21:1;€29:26)ˆÐ ˜ ÐÌÌà0  àóóÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òA.à ` àòòThe€Calvinist€Concept€Of€ð ðDecreesððóó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj¨¯#ÔÐØ\(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óCalvinist€ððlogicð ð€refers€to€the€decrees€of€God€(or€THE€Decree,€of€which€all€decreesÐ ÖZ Ðare€but€a€part),€teaching€that€God€has€decreed€all€things.ÐÂF` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àA.€J.€Gordon€said,€òòð ðA€universe€without€decrees€would€be€as€€irrational€and€appallingÐ š Ðas€would€be€an€express€train€driving€on€in€the€darkness€without€headlight€orÐ †  Ðengineer,€and€with€no€certainty€that€the€next€moment€it€might€not€plunge€into€theÐ rö Ðabyss.ððÐ^â` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðGod€foreknows€all€events€as€certainly€future€because€he€has€decreed€them€and€thusÐ 6!º  Ðmade€them€certainly€future.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð""¦!` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àð ðThe€decrees€of€God€are€His€eternal€purpose€or€purposes,€based€on€His€most€wiseÐ ú#~ # Ðand€holy€counsel,€whereby€He€freely€and€unchangeably,€for€His€own€glory,€ordainedÐ æ$j!$ Ðeither€efficaciously€or€permissively,€all€that€comes€to€pass.׃\×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ÐÒ%V"%` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àò òóóó óCalvinists€usually€speak€of€the€decrees€of€God€in€the€following€way:Ъ'.$'(#(# Їà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòGodð ðs€Decrees€Are€Eternalóó.Ð|` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThey€were€not€formulated€in€time,€as€human€history€progressed,€but€wereÐ hì Ðmade€in€eternity.ÐTظ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.à ¸ àòòGodð ðs€Decrees€Are€Unalterableóó.€Ð,°` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àThey€are€sovereign.М` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòGodð ðs€Decrees€Are€Wise€And€Holyóó.Ðð t` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€is€because€God€is€Wise€and€Holy.€Because€God€is€omniscient€(all„Ð Ü ` Ðknowing),€He€knows€what€is€best.€Because€God€is€Holy,€He€cannot€decreeÐ È L  Ðanything€that€is€wrong.д 8 ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌÔ_Ôà0  àà0` (#(#à4.à ¸ àòòGodð ðs€Decrees€Are€Freeóó.ò òÐŒ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àó óThe€decrees€of€God€did€not€originate€out€of€necessity.€God€may€have€chosenÐ xü  Ðto€confine€His€activity€with€Himself€in€the€Godhead.€He€was€not€influencedÐ dè  Ðor€bound€ð"ð€what€God€purposed,€He€purposed€voluntarily€according€to€HisÐ PÔ  Ðattributes.Ð<À¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à5.à ¸ àòòGodð ðs€Decrees€May€Be€Efficacious€Or€Permissiveóó.И` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àAn€efficacious€decree€is€one€God€determines€to€bring€about.€A€permissiveÐ „ Ðdecree€is€one€God€determines€to€permit.Ðìp¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àAs€noted€above,€the€Bible€lists€the€actual€decrees€of€God.€They€are€not€as€theÐ ÄH ÐCalvinist€asserts.а4` (#` (# ÐÌÌà0  àò òÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔB.à ` àòòCalvinist€Logic€Leads€To€Erroróó.Ô#†XõPX ˆŠCj¡½#ÔÐtø(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àó óIf€God€decreed€all€things,€as€Calvinists€assert,€then€He€must€have€decreed€sin!€ThisÐ rö Ðmatter€has€been€a€source€of€contention€among€Calvinists,€who€divide€into€threeÐ ^â Ðððcampsð ð€over€the€issue€of€the€fall€òò(lapsis)€óóof€man.€These€opinions€are:ÐJÎ` (#` (# ÐÌòòóóò òó óà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòSupralapsarianismóó.Ð" ¦` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€view€holds€that€God€decreed€the€fall€of€man.€The€supralapsarian€orderÐ !’  Ðin€the€decree€is:Ðú!~!¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà ¸ àa.à  àGod€decreed€the€salvation€of€some€and€the€damnation€of€others€forÐ Ò#V # Ðthe€end€of€His€own€glory.о$B!$(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà ¸ àb.à  àGod€decreed,€as€a€means€to€that€end,€to€create€those€already€electedÐ –&#& Ðor€reprobated.Ђ'$'(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àGod€decreed€the€fall€of€man.ÐZ)Þ%)¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àd.à  àGod€decreed€the€atonement€for€the€elect.Ð2+¶'+¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àe.à  àGod€decreed€salvation€for€the€elect.Ð -Ž)-¸ (#¸ (# ÐÐ ö-z*. Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€viewpoint€makes€God€the€Author€of€sin,€and€teaches€that€He€createdÐ | Ðcertain€men€so€that€He€could€damn€them;€consequently€it€is€held€by€theÐ hì Ðminority€of€Calvinists.€It€is€often€referred€to€as€ò òòòhyperóóó ó„Calvinism,€no€doubt€toÐ TØ Ðmake€mainstream€Calvinism€appear€moderate.€Nevertheless,€it€illustratesÐ @Ä Ðwhere€philosophy€and€manð ðs€logic€will€take€you.Ð,°¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.€à0¸ ` (#` (#àòòInfralapsarianismóó.Ð ˆ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àThe€prefix€òòinfra€óómeans€below.€The€order€in€the€decree€in€this€system€is:Ðð t` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àGod€decreed€to€create€man.ÐÈ L ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àb.à  àGod€decreed€the€fall€of€man.Р $ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àGod€decreed€election€(salvation)€and€reprobation€(damnation).Ðxü ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àd.à  àGod€decreed€the€atonement€for€the€elect.ÐPÔ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àe.à  àGod€decreed€salvation€for€the€elect.Ð(¬¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€viewpoint€is€held€by€the€majority€of€Calvinists.€While€it€does€not€haveÐ „ ÐGod€creating€men€in€order€to€damn€them,€like€all€theories€within€theÐ ìp ÐAugustinian„Calvinist€theology,€it€teaches€that€some€are€predestined€toÐ Ø\ Ðsalvation€and€others€to€damnation.ÐÄH¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòSublapsarianismóó.М ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€view,€otherwise€known€as€ð ðFour„point€Calvinismðð,€has€the€decree€inÔ#†XõPXXXõPí­#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔ€theÐ ˆ  Ðfollowing€order:Ðtø¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àGod€decreed€to€create.ÐLи (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àb.à  àGod€decreed€the€fall.Ð$¨¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àGod€decreed€the€atonement€for€òòallóó€men.Ðü € ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àd.à  àGod€decreed€election€(salvation)€and€reprobation€(damnation).ÐÔ"X"¸ (#¸ (# ÐÔ#†XõPXXXõP•Ì#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àe.à  àGod€decreed€salvation€for€the€elect.Ô#†XõPXXXõP;Ï#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔЬ$0!$¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àIn€this€scheme,€reprobation€is€usually€divided€into€two€acts€ð"ð€first,Ð „&#& ÐòòPreteritionóó€(where€God€sovereignly€òòpassesò ò€ó óby€óó[i.e.€did€not€choose]€the€non„Ð p'ô#' Ðelect);€second,€òòCondemnationóó€(where€God€later€judicially€punishes€those€HeÐ \(à$( Ðpassed€over€for€their€sin).ÐH)Ì%)¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òC.à ` àòòThe€Scriptural€Teachingóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCjÒÑ#ÔÐ +¤'+(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àThe€decrees€of€God€actually€stated€in€Scripture€have€already€been€listed.€The€BibleÐ ,¢(, Ðdoes€not€mention€anything€of€an€eternal€decree€which€foreordains€every€thoughtÐ  -Ž)- Ðword,€and€deed€of€every€man€in€time.Ðö-z*.` (#` (# Їà0  àà0` (#(#àMore€on€this€subject€will€be€covered€under€the€doctrines€of€Man,€Sin,€and€Salvation.Ð | ÐHowever,€a€few€important€Biblical€truths€are€stated€below.Ðhì` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à1.à ¸ àòòGod€NEVER€Decrees€Wickednessóó.Ð@Ä` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àSee:€òòIsaiah€10:1;€Job€34:10;€36:23;€Psalm€5:4.Ð,°` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóóThe€Bible€does€teach€that€God€allows€evil€to€happen€(e.g.€òòII€Samuel€17:14;Ð  ˆ ÐNehemiah€13:18;€Isaiah€45:7;€Lamentations€3:38;€Ezekiel€14:22;€DanielÐ ð t Ð9:14;€Amos€3:6;€óóetc.),€but€this€kind€of€evil€is€judgment€which€is€dispensedÐ Ü ` Ðbecause€of€manð ðs€sin€ð"ð€òòJeremiah€19:3„5.ÐÈ L ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àóólf€God€decreed€sin,€He€would€deny€Himself,€òòII€Timothy€2:13b.€óóGod€is€not€theÐ   $  ÐAuthor€of€sin€òòð"ð€James€1:13,14€óóð"ð€for€that€would€be€inconsistent€with€HisÐ Œ  Ðdivine,€holy€nature.Ðxü ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à2.à ¸ àòòGod€Permitted€Man€To€Be€Testedóó.ÐPÔ ` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àGod€permitted€(not€decreed)€this,€knowing€before„time€that€man€would€failÐ <À Ðand€that€sin€would€enter€the€universe.Ð(¬¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àIt€was€necessary€for€man€to€be€tested€in€his€innocent€(neither€sinful€or€holy)Ð „ Ðstate€because€the€relationship€God€desired€with€him€was€to€be€free.Ðìp¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à3.à ¸ àòòGod€Over„rules€Sin€For€Goodóó.ÐÄH` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThis€fact€must€go€hand€in€hand€with€the€above,€otherwise€the€entrance€of€sinÐ °4 Ðinto€the€world€would€have€bested€God.€While€God€sometimes€permits€sin,€HeÐ œ  Ðalso€can€control€its€manifestation.Ј ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àThe€following€examples€show€this€to€be€so:€òòGenesis€50:20;€Psalm€33:10,11;Ð `ä Ð76:10;€Daniel€3:19„30;€óóetc.ÐLи (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à4.à ¸ àòòGod€Determined€To€Provide€For€Manð ðs€Salvationóó.€òòÐ$¨` (#` (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àActs€2:23;€4:27,28;€1€Peter€1:20.Ð ”` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóà0¸ ` (#` (#àAs€noted€above,€the€atoning€death€of€Jesus€Christ€was€the€only€statedÐ è!l! Ðpredetermined€act€of€God.ÐÔ"X"¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à5.à ¸ àòòGod€Chose€(Elected)€To€Save€All€Who€Trust€Christ€As€Saviouróó.Ь$0!$` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àa.à  àòòGod€Seeks€To€Save€All€Menóó.Є&#&¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àGod€took€the€initiative€in€our€salvation.€See:€òòGenesis€3:8,9;€IsaiahÐ p'ô#' Ð59:15,16;€John€15:16;€Romans€2:4;€Titus€2:11.€óóÐ\(à$((#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àb.à  àòòGod€Knows€All€Who€Will€Be€Savedóó.Ð4*¸&*¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àThis€is€called€ð ðdivine€foreknowledge,ðð€and€is€predicated€in€theÐ  +¤'+ Ðomniscience€of€God.Ð ,�(,(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àc.à  àòòGod€Elected€To€Save€All€Who€Will€Trust€Christóó.Ðä-h*.¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àElection€is€based€on€the€foreknowledge€of€God.€òòRomans€8:29;€I€Peterò òÐ | Ðó ó1:1,2.€óóBy€election,€we€mean€that€sovereign€act€of€God€in€grace,Ð hì Ðwhereby€from€eternity€past€He€chose€in€Christ€all€whom€He€foreknewÐ TØ Ðwould€accept€His€Son.Ð@Ä(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àd.à  àòòGod€Predestines€All€Who€Trust€Christ€To€Salvation€And€Its€Benefitsóó.€òòМ¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà  àJohn€1:12;€6:37;€Ephesians€1:5;€Romans€8:29.Ð ˆ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àóóà0¸ ` (#` (#àà ` à6.à ¸ àòòGod€Declares€He€Will€Punish€All€Who€Reject€Christóó.€òòÐÜ `¸ (#¸ (# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà ¸ àPsalm€9:17;€Isaiah€3:11;€Revelation€20:11„15;€óóetc.ÐÈ L ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àMen€will€be€cast€into€the€Lake€of€Fire,€not€because€of€a€sovereign€eternalÐ   $  Ðdecree€predestinating€them€to€such,€but€because€they€have€wilfully€rejectedÐ Œ  Ðtheir€only€hope€of€salvation€in€Jesus€Christ.€In€this€sense,€all€sinners€are€(byÐ xü  Ðvirtue€of€their€sin)€predestined€to€Hell€ð"ð€until€they€receive€Christ,€whereuponÐ dè  Ðthey€are€then€predestined€to€Heaven!ÐPÔ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌÌÔ‡ŠCj ˆXXõPÔò òD.à  àòòConclusionóó.ó óÔ#†XõPX ˆŠCj¬è#ÔÐ ˜ Ðà0  àCalvinists€and€Bible„believers€have€one€thing€in€common€ð"ð€none€of€them€can€fullyÐ – Ðcomprehend€the€ways€of€an€Infinite€God.€None€can€explain€why€God€is€as€He€is,€does€as€HeÐ þ‚ Ðdoes,€or€permits€as€He€permits.Ðên(#(# ÐÌà0  àThe€òòdifference€óóbetween€the€two€groups€is€that€Calvinists€resort€to€philosophical€speculationsÐ ÂF Ðfor€an€explanation€òò(Colossians€2:8),€óówhereas€Bible„believers€stand€on€what€God€has€revealedÐ ®2 Ðin€His€Word.К(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ ö-z*. ЇÌÌÌÌÌÌÔ#†XõPXXXõPäÏ#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@šš#ìàò òÔ‡¼2É»XXõPÔÔ#†¼2É»»¼2ÉÀë#ÔÔ‡¼2É»»¼2ÉÔSTUDY€QUESTIONSˆÐ ˜ Ðà@ªª"ìàUNIT€2,€LECTURE€6ó óÔ#†XõPX»¼2Éì#ԈР(¬ ÐÌNAME€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óó€DATE€òò€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€óóÔ#†XõPXXXõPBì#Ôòòò òÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÐ (¬ ÐEach€question€worth€4.1€€pointsóóÔ#†XõPXXXõP¤í#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔó óÐ ˜ ÐÌThe€Doctrinal€Statement€given€by€Bancroft€on€Ô#†XõPXXXõPî#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔpage€Ô#†XõPXXXõP¥î#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔ111€Ô#†XõPXXXõPìî#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔis€Ô#†XõPXXXõP2ï#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔCalvinistic€Ô#†XõPXXXõPwï#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔheresy.€The€offending€wordsÐ èl Ðare,€ð ðcertain€individuals".€€Ô#†XõPXXXõPÅï#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔA€more€correct€statement€would€read:€('The€Scriptures€teach€that€God€hasÐ ÔX ÐÔ#†XõPXXXõPWð#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔfrom€eternity€purposed€to€save€òòallóó€òòwhoóó€òòbelieveóó€òòonóó€òòtheóó€òòLordóó€òòJesusóó€òòChrist...óó"€Ô#†XõPXXXõPöð#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔThe€student€is€warned€toÐ ÀD Ðbe€extremely€careful€of€this€doctrine€of€men.Ð ¬0 ÐÌÌ1.€à0  àWhat€is€the€implication€of€God€òònotóó€being€sovereign?Ðpô(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ2.€à0  àWhat€Is€the€important€thing€to€remember€about€the€Sovereignty€of€God€and€His€otherÐ ä%h"% Ðattributes?ÐÐ&T#&(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ3.€à0  àWhat€is€meant€by€the€"foreknowledge"€of€God?ÐD-È)-(#(# ÐÐ 0.´*. ЇÌÌÌÌ4.€à0  àWhat€is€the€'focus'€of€the€eternal€purpose€of€God?Ð,°(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ5.€à0  àHow€do€Calvinists€view€the€Counsel€of€God?Р $ (#(# ÐÌÌÌÌ6.€à0  àWhat€is€the€Counsel€of€God?Ð<À(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌ7.€à0  àIs€there€any€decree€recorded€in€Scripture€which€states€that€God€foreordained€certain€men€toÐ Ø\ Ðsalvation?ÐÄH(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ8.€à0  àWhere€do€we€find€the€will€of€God€revealed?Ð8¼(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ9.€à0  àWhat€is€the€will€of€God€concerning€the€salvation€of€men?Ь$0!$(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ10.€à0  àWhat€is€meant€by€the€'permissive€will'€of€God?Ð +¤'+(#(# ÐÌÌÐ ä-h*. ЇÌÌÌÌ11.€à0  àGive€a€Biblical€example€of€Godððs€Ô#†XõPXXXõP´ñ#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔpermissive€Ô#†XõPXXXõP"÷#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔwill.Ð,°(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ12.€à0  àWhat€is€God's€supreme€purpose€and€aim?Р $ (#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ13.€à0  àList€3€ways€in€which€Christians€can€glorify€God.И(#(# ÐÌà  àò òA.Ð ìp ÐÌÌà  àB.Ð °4 ÐÌÌà  àC.Ð tø Ðó óÌÌ14.€à0  àWhat€is€meant€by€the€Providence€of€God?Ð8¼(#(# ÐÔ#†XõPXXXõPo÷#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÌÌÌÌÌÔ#†XõPXXXõPaù#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔÌ15.€à0  àGive€an€example€where€God€providentially€permitted€sin.Ь$0!$(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ16.€à0  àGive€an€example€where€God€providentially€prevented€sin.Ðø,|)-(#(# ÐÐ ä-h*. ЇÌÌÌÌÌÌ17.€à0  àCite€a€Scripture€reference€which€teaches€the€Providence€of€God€working€in€the€life€of€aÐ  ˆ Ðbeliever.Ðð t(#(# ÐÌÌÌ18.€à0  àCite€a€Scripture€reference€which€teaches€the€Providence€of€God€working€in€the€preservationÐ   $  Ðof€the€Scriptures.ÐŒ (#(# ÐÌÌÌÌ19.€à0  àWhy€must€we€pray€if€God€providentially€works€all€things€for€good€toward€us?Ð(¬(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ20.€à0  àOutline€the€basic€logic€of€Calvinism.М (#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ21.€à0  àWhat€is€the€basic€difference€between€supralapsarianism€and€infralapsarianism?Є&#&(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ22.€à0  àWhat€is€the€basic€feature€of€sublapsarianism?Ðø,|)-(#(# ÐÐ ä-h*. ЇÌÌÌÌ23.€à0  àWho€did€God€elect€to€save?Ð,°(#(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ24.€€à0  àWhat€is€the€"in€a€nutshell"€difference€between€Calvinists€and€Bible„believers?Ô#†XõPXXXõP¨ù#ÔÔ‡XõPXXXõPÔР $ (#(# ÐÌÌÔ#†XõPXXXõP½þ#Ô