Opus 2016-220: Basic Beliefs: Providence

Alistair Begg was preaching about providence.  That is a word we don’t hear much any more.  It was common in the early years of our country.  It was a word that could be used by Christians and deists.  It spoke of the controlling hand of God in the affairs of men. 

What Begg was trying to do was get us to notice the mundane ways in which God works though our world.  I can’t remember if he used the term or I came up with it but I find I need to hear about “God in the ordinary” today.  Most Christians will understand that God created the world even if they tend to think in terms of a guided evolution.  What we often fail to remember is that God holds all things together. 

(Colossians 1:17 KJV)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

God’s hand is still active in our world.  We don’t always understand.  We wonder about terrorism and earthquakes.  I wonder about you as you wonder about me.  Why is my life so blessed when I see others in so much pain?  I expect to understand more tomorrow and possibly a lot more in eternity.  I will keep thinking and asking.  Until I figure it out I am secure in the awareness that there are answers and reasons. 

I don’t need to know how my body figures out antibodies but I do need to get enough sleep.  I don’t understand why some learn to read and it remains a mystery for others.  I would like to think my children have turned out so well is because I am an awesome father, but I know that isn’t enough. 

It is Providence.  It is grace.  It is the hand of God.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-21: New Terms: Theological Appendix

When listening to Alistair Begg the other day he used the term “Theological Appendix.”  What?  Did I miss that in seminary.  He was talking about the incarnation and how some people think this is a theological Appendix.  His point was that doctors tell us we can live without our appendix.  It can be removed with no danger to our overall health.  In the same way some denominations and pastors teach we can be Christian without believing in the incarnation.

The point he was making is that certain thing are essential to calling yourself a Christian.  One of those points is that the second Person of the Triune God became human.

(Joh 1:14 KJV)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

At the same time He retained His divinity.

(Col 1:19 KJV)  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

There are many areas of the scripture that lend themselves to interpretation.  This is not one of them. 

homo unius libri