Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 11 (Providence) by reading up to the heading '4.Principles involved in the Scriptural Doctrine of Providence'.
My summary
Today Hodge teaches us different false theories of divine government. Next week we will look at the Scriptural understanding.
We learn about the theory of:
(i) deism;
(ii) entire dependence;
(iii) no efficiency except in mind;
(iv) pre-established harmony;
(v) concursus.
What grabbed me
I liked Hodge's dismissal of deism: 'This view of God's relation to the world is so thoroughly anti-Scriptural and irreligious that it never has been, and never can be adopted by any Christian church. So long as even the simple words of our Lord are remembered and believed, so long must this doctrine be rejected with indignation. " Consider the ravens ; for they neither sow nor reap ; which neither have storehouse nor barn ; and God feedeth them : how much more are ye better than the fowls ? " " Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God ; and all these things shall be added unto you." Our Lord, therefore, teaches us to confide in the universal providence of God which supplies the wants and controls the destiny of all his creatures, so that a hair does not fall from our heads without his notice.'
God is concerned with every detail of our lives. Which means we can even pray for car parking spaces.
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 11 (Providence).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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