WCF. V. Of Providence – 1. Q & A

WCF & Reformed Theology

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson’s The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

WCF. V. Of Providence. Question 1.

1. There are two errors ruled out by this section of the Confession: the first teaches that things happen by ______. The second teaches that things happen by ______.

The first error ruled out is that things happen by chance. The second error ruled out is that things happen by fate (“mechanical necessity”). Both of these errors are contrary to Scripture.

2. With which of these errors are the Arminians in (perhaps unconscious) agreement?

The former error. Generally speaking, Arminians teach “that the will of man acts without any predetermined certainty” (61). In the final analysis, Arminians teach that things happen by chance.

3. Cite a Scripture text which proves that the will of man is not unpredictable.

Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

4. What scriptural teaching about God helps us to understand why there are some things that man cannot do?

Will is determined by character/nature. For example, God cannot lie (see Hebrews 6:18); lying is contrary to God’s character/nature. Man’s will is also determined by character/nature. Man’s will is depraved; it is filth-ridden by the ethical disease of sin. This means that “so long as the character of a man is sinful and corrupt (as received by ordinary generation from Adam), there is no “chance” that he will do that which is pleasing to God” (61). Thus, there are some things that man cannot do–sinful man cannot please God.

5. Why is there no chance that an unconverted man will do the will of God, or that a converted man will not begin to do the will of God?

See latter end of prior answer regarding former question. Regarding the latter question, as I said earlier, will is determined by character/nature: “But when God regenerates a man so that he receives a new and different character, there is no “chance” that he will not begin to do good. ‘For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure’ (Phil. 2:13)” (61).

6. What is the difference between fate and divine sovereignty?

Fate is a matter of “mechanical necessity” but divine sovereignty is a matter of a personal (Triune!) divine decree. They are as different as the day is long. “Mechanical fate is at the very heart meaningless, merciless, and hopeless. But the certainty of divinely ordered providence is meaningful, merciful, and hopeful” (61).

7. What teachings of Scripture aid us in believing that God controls everything?

Scripture teaches that God created all things, and that both the end and the means were decreed by God.

8. Cite a Scripture text to prove that God controls everything.
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Psalm 135:6, “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.”

Daniel 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

Acts 15:18, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

1 Peter 1:2, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

Read the Psalms

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“There is something wrong with a Christianity which rejects the Old Testament, or even with a Christianity which imagines that we are essentially different from the Old Testament saints. If any of you are tempted to feel like that, I would invite you to read the Book of Psalms, and then ask yourself whether you can honestly say from your experience some of the things the Psalmists said. . . . Read the Psalms and the statements made in them, and I think you will agree that these men were children of God with a great and rich spiritual experience” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Faith on Trial, 11-12).

Sola Fide

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Sola Fide.
. . .
Justification by faith alone.
. . .
Galatians 3:6, Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 

. . .
Romans 4:3, 5, 22-25, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. . . . But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. . . . Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. . . . And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

. . .
The gift of FAITH <– connects you –> to God’s Word of Promise (of imputed righteousness)
. . .
In this book, see pages 63-64 for a clarifying analogy.

EMU, CCCU, and Listening

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From the January/February 2014 issue of Christianity Today, a heading reads “CCCU school mulls shift on same-sex relationships.” The short article states:

A Christian college is permitting professors to have same-sex relationships–at least for the next six months. Trustees at Eastern Mennonite University, a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), unanimously voted to let president Loren Swartzendruber lead the school through a “listening period” to review its current ban. During that time, tenure-track faculty will not be penalized for violating current policies which restricts sexual relationships to marriage between one man and one woman.

Personally this is upsetting on two counts: First, I was employed at the largest school in the CCCU from 2002 to 2009, and it is also where I completed my undergraduate degree. This will probably become a watershed event for a watershed issue within CCCU schools. Second, my spiritual heritage (fraternal side of the family) is Mennonite.

I’m not sure where CT gleaned their information regarding tenure-track faculty not being penalized during this six month “listening period” . . . it may be implicit, but nothing is explicitly mentioned in the article from November/2013 at EMU’s website. I’m somewhat shocked EMU’s original post had open comments. The comments, however, were closed by the “Moderator” after only two days . . . they said they wanted to listen, but not just quite yet.  😉

  1. Moderator says:
    Comments on this blog are now closed. Watch for invitations to speak into the EMU discussion beginning early January 2014.

Death By Living

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Death by Living is N. D. Wilson’s newest nonfiction book, and sort-of a follow-up to 2009’s Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl. I read Notes in 2009, and re-read it in 2010 . . . I also led a men’s book study/discussion group over the book. Notes was a fun read. Humorous and rewarding. But at points the prose was forced. However, I just finished reading Death by Living, and it is a great book. Overall, less humorous, but the prose is tight. Reading this book was effortless and sheer joy. Oh, and convicting. 

“Two Things”

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“Young men, I beseech you earnestly, beware of pride. Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world–one is a young man that is humble, and the other is an old man that is content. I fear that this is only too true” (J.C. Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, 23).

Know Thyself: Note-Taking or Active Listening?

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“Many people find note-taking helpful in retaining the teaching of a sermon. An elderly woman told me, “I take thorough sermon notes. When I bow my knees on Sunday evening, I put my notes in front of me, underline those things that I should strive to put into practice, and then pray through them one at a time.” For many people taking notes helps them remember specific ways in which God challenges their hearts. Recognize, however, that note-taking is not for everyone. For some people, writing gets in the way of active listening, because it makes them lose their train of thought. In that case, note taking does more harm than good. Do whatever helps you remember and pray over the sermons you hear” (Joel R. Beeke, The Family at Church: Listening to Sermons and Attending Prayer Meetings, 26).

For example: I have a friend who is an artist. When he takes notes for sermons, he draws illustrations pertaining to the sermon’s subject matter, points of application, etc. 

Beware of Pride

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“Pride sits in all our hearts by nature. We are born proud. Pride makes us rest content with ourselves–think we are good enough as we are–keep us from taking advice–refuse the gospel of Christ–turn every one to his own way. But pride never reigns anywhere so powerfully as in the heart of a young man” (J.C. Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, 22).

“Hell itself is truth known too late.”

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“Young men, I want to save you all this sorrow, if I can. Hell itself is truth known too late. Be wise in time. What youth sows, old age must reap. Do not give the most precious season of your life to that which will not comfort you in the latter days of your life. Sow yourselves rather in righteousness; break up your hard ground, don’t sow among thorns” (J.C. Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, 18).