Is Anyone in Charge?
When the diagnosis comes back, when the job disappears, when a child walks away from the Lord, the question rises in every heart: is anyone in charge? If no one is, then life is a string of accidents and our suffering means nothing. If God is in charge, then we must ask what kind of ruler He is, and why He allows what He allows.
Scripture answers with joy: The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all (Psalm 103:19). God is sovereign. He possesses all power and authority, He rules over all things, and He works according to His eternal purpose, even through events that seem to oppose His rule. Your life is not random.
Scripture is just as clear that the people God rules make real choices and answer to Him for them. God rules over all and works all things for His purpose, and people truly choose and are truly accountable. This article shows how the Bible holds both truths together.
God's sovereignty is the reign of a personal King, not the turning of a cosmic mechanism. He is free to create people who can say a real yes or no to Him, and He still accomplishes all His will.
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For Deeper Study
- Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist ApproachAmazon Kenneth KeathleyNon-Calvinistic Baptist. Relates God's sovereignty to human freedom through middle knowledge; affirms eternal security.
- Trusting God: Even When Life HurtsAmazon Jerry BridgesA warm study of God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love in suffering. Bridges was Reformed and held a meticulous view of providence.
- Arminian Theology: Myths and RealitiesAmazon Roger E. OlsonClassical Arminian. Includes a chapter answering the charge that Arminians deny God's sovereignty.
- Four Views on Divine ProvidenceAmazon Dennis W. Jowers, ed.Paul Kjoss Helseth (God causes all things), William Lane Craig (middle knowledge), Ron Highfield (God controls by liberating), and Gregory Boyd (open theism) in dialogue.
- Perspectives on the Doctrine of God: Four ViewsAmazon Bruce A. Ware, ed.Paul Helm (classical Calvinist), Bruce Ware (modified Calvinist), Roger Olson (classical Arminian), and John Sanders (open theist), each answered by the others.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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Election and Foreknowledge
Before the foundation of the world, God chose in Christ to save all who believe, according to His perfect foreknowledge, and predestined them to be conformed to the image of His Son.
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