Getting Job-ed
Following is a paper written by Austin Rankin for Belhaven University’s Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies program in 2023. This is part 2 of 2:
God’s Providence over Mankind
Perhaps the most provocative aspect of God’s providence is His control over the wills of human beings. The New Covenant promises are based on the concept that human beings are incapable of following God’s laws and actually need God to change our hearts and our wills to see and love Him for who He is (Deuteronomy 30:6-8, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:22-38). A regenerated heart is needed for people to even see the Kingdom of God, and that regeneration comes from the power of God Himself (John 3:1-21). Human beings are spiritually dead and do not have the ability to follow God without His intervention (John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-9). There is an effectual call for the Gentiles noted in Acts 13:48 ESV that states, “…and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Note the ordering: the Gentiles that were appointed for eternal life and heard the call from Paul and Barnabas effectually believed. God opened the heart of Lydia in order for her to pay attention to the words of Paul and for her to believe (Acts 16:14-15). The pillar of the hope of creation being restored and the lack of sin in the New Heaven and New Earth is God’s stripping away of the ability to sin in the life to come (Revelation 21-22). Most Christians do not argue against God’s ability to remove sin indefinitely in the New Heaven and New Earth, so why is it any less possible that He actually acts as the acting agent to change the hearts and wills of individuals in this life? The freedom and wills of human beings are never outside of the providential power of God.
God’s providence, however, does not diminish mankind’s responsibility in making moral choices. In fact, mankind is held accountable for the decisions that we make in regard to God’s commanded will (prescriptive Will of God). (12) As paradoxical as these two seem (God’s providence and mankind’s decisions), they are not in contradiction to each other. God has different levels of willingness, in that He can command something to happen, His creatures refuse to follow His command, and yet the sin of the creature is actually still within the sovereign will of God. (13) The sin of both demons, Satan, and human beings are not outside of the sovereign will of God but rather actually brings to fruition His sovereign, decretive will (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28; Romans 9; Proverbs 16:4, 9). In all of this, God is not charged with sin but the rebellious creatures are (1 John 3:5, Hebrews 4:15, Romans 3:23, Revelation 20:11-15). Therefore, in ordaining even the acts of moral agents in refusing to follow His commands, God is still providentially “seeing to it” (14)to bring about His divine will (Ephesians 1:11-12).
Life and death are held in the hands of God (Job 1:21, Matthew 10:29-31). All movement and placement of people are determined by God (Proverbs 16:9, Acts 17:26). In fact, no minor detail is random but rather is determined by God (Proverbs 16:33). All matter, events, people, and occurrences occur by the orderly hand of God for fulfilling His purpose.
The Purpose of Providence
To what purpose is God’s providence? I am convinced this is actually the most important question in regard to providence. It is one thing to know that God has the right and power to control all things (sovereignty), but it is another thing to understand His intention of why He controls all things (providence). God’s providence, His “seeing to it” (15) that all things are preserved to fulfill His intended purpose, is evident throughout Scripture. In Isaiah 46:9-10, Yahweh states that He has declared the end from the beginning in order to accomplish all of His will. This would entail “seeing to it” (16) that all events that transpire between the beginning and end are for the purpose of bringing about the consummation of His will. In an immediate sense, Isaiah 48:9-11 ESV declares that God is about to act to restore Israel for His “name’s sake” (for His glory) and that in acting this way, it is for their benefit also. Similarly, we see God acting in the New Covenant for the sake of His name (Ezekiel 36:22). God’s purpose of redemption of rebellious creatures, which was planned before time began, is explicitly stated in Ephesians 1:3-14. Three times in this section Paul states that God predestines the redemption of His people all for the purpose of “…the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14 ESV, “glorious grace” is used in Ephesians 1:6 ESV). Paul makes it clear that the election of God’s people from before time began was for the purpose of praising God’s glory. God acts for the praise of His glory, which is for His children’s benefit also. God’s providence is “seeing to it” (17) that this sovereign will of God is fully consummated (Revelation 21-22).
The Importance of Providence
The doctrine of the providence of God is important because it glorifies God rather than any of His creatures. God, in bringing about His ultimate will of glorifying Himself and having a people that praise Him for His glory, is the only one truly worthy of worship and glory in the act of rescuing His creation. Providence is God’s way of bringing about that ultimate will and therefore is of the utmost importance. Apart from the highest importance just mentioned, our very existence relies on the providence of God. All of existence is contingent on God willing it to exist. (18) All existence continues in fulfilling its purpose in glorifying God: whether in the destruction of the wicked or in the glorification of God’s children (Romans 9:21-24).
The importance that the doctrine of the providence of God has had on my understanding of God cannot be overstated. My prior understanding of God’s sovereignty would have been from a pseudo-Arminian viewpoint. However, I ran into great difficulty trying to understand difficult passages such as Romans 9 and Ephesians 1:3-14 without basically changing the very words that were in the text. The initial change in understanding of the providence of God shifted my mindset from a God that is only playing defense against the evil in the world to a God that is in ultimate control of everything in the world, evil included (while of course not being charged with evil Himself). After submitting to the doctrine of the providence of God, efforts also had to be made in order to not just see God as a mean puppet master but rather a caring Father that truly loves His children by “seeing to it” (19) that our greatest joy and fullest satisfaction is actually in praising Him for His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:3-14).
The Importance of Providence on Life and Ministry
The providence of God has had a profound impact on shaping my life and ministry. With much help, great resources, in-depth study, and a whole framework shift in my mind, my stance on the sovereignty and providence of God shifted. This was an entire worldview change for me, and the effects have changed my perceptions of myself, my family, the church, Scripture, the world, and God Himself. As difficult as the shift to submitting to the doctrine of the providence of God was, I have found that the effects have brought much comfort, peace, and reliance on God’s power rather than my own. To understand that nothing is random and that God actually works all things (including evil and heartache) for my good and His glory has been an enormous anxiety relief (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20). The greatest joy has been not only submitting to the doctrine of the providence of God but actually growing to love it and to praise God in His glory for it.
The impact of the doctrine of the providence of God in ministry is incredible. Whereas some may say, and to their dismay, that such a view on the providence of God makes evangelism pointless, I would argue that it actually makes it effectual. Rather than relying on my herculean might to convince and persuade people into following Christ (no matter the tactics and antics that entails), I see that relying on the power of God through my ministry is actually more empowering and liberating than just my efforts and knowledge alone. I wholeheartedly believe in deep academic studying and the ability to defend the faith, yet I do not rely on my efforts alone. Instead, the doctrine of the providence of God commands me to herald the Good News of Christ and defend the faith to the best of my ability and knowledge that I have, but never to rely solely on my own efforts or wisdom. Instead, providence teaches me to rely on the power of God in that He will “see to it” (20) that He will bring about His desired outcome through my ministry for His own glory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the providence of God should bring about a sense of awe and wonder, submission, and praise for God from His children. The purpose of this paper was to define the doctrine of the providence of God, to examine what Scripture teaches on providence, to discuss why providence is important, to state how providence shapes our understanding of God, and to discuss how providence shapes our life and ministry. The study of the providence of God will continue to impact me and my ministry for the rest of my life.
Footnotes
12. Austin Rankin, “Mankind’s Responsibility,” accessed January 31, 2023, https://
gettingjob-ed.org/mankinds-responsibility/
13. Piper, John, “The Providence of God: Session 8,” accessed January 27, 2023, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-providence-of-god-session-8
14. Piper, Providence, 30-31.
15. Piper, Providence, 30-31.
16. Piper, Providence, 30-31.
17. Piper, Providence, 30-31.
18. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 185.
19. Piper, Providence, 30-31.
20. Piper, Providence, 30-31.
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gettingjob-ed.org/mankinds-responsibility/
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sovereignty-and-providence-are-good-news-for-us/
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gJTqUH9vi3Q
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