It's really hard for our minds to grasp the full depth of God's providence. Therefore, breaking things down a bit with distinctions can be helpful for us to understand what's going on. While all things are ordered by God's counsel, they appear to us as being by chance or fortune. They appear this way not…

Some criticize my view of providence, claiming that it same view as the Stoics concerning fate. The same charge was brought against Augustine. I am unwilling to argue about words. I don't use the term "Fate" because it belongs to a class of arguments that Paul tells us to shun—opposing arguments (1 Timothy 6:20). Moreover,…

God's providence is also on display in the history of Israel. The text tells us that God uses particular events as an examples of his providence. For example, God causes a south wind to blow and brought the Israelites a plentiful supply of birds (Exodus 19:13). When God wanted Jonah to be thrown into the…

Since we know that God made the world primarily for humanity, we must also look view God's providence through his care for humanity as well. The prophet Jeremiah says, "I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Solomon also…

God put everything that exists into motion. God also puts into motion everything which looks like it comes about spontaneously or moves according to a "built in" impulse from nature, like day and night, summer and winter. God has assigned certain laws to govern the movement of these things so that they are consistent day…

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  Definition of Providence Let's remember what providence is. It does not mean that God just sits idle…

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  God Controls Everything God is omnipotent–all powerful. He wants us to acknowledge his power too. It…

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  God's Providence Over All Things We must believe that the providence of God is opposed to…

"Blogging the Institutes" is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin's work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.  God's Providence in the World  God is not an absentee Creator, who made the world and…