148 – God’s Relationship to the Universe – As Governor

SEMESTER 3

148 – God’s Relationship to the Universe – As Governor

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: THEOLOGY III LESSON # 48
GOD’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNIVERSE  (AS GOVERNOR)

Read Psalm 115:3 and Ephesian 1:11.

INTRODUCTION:

1. These verses, and hundreds like them, clearly state that God is governing His creation.
2. Yet, what we observe is a world filled with wickedness, violence and infidelity as in Gen. 6:5.
3. Then the logical question is, “How can a holy, omniscient, omnipotent God be governing this?”
4. Remember that our lack of understanding shows a lack in us, not in God.
5. There are some basic truths which will help us sort this out.

I. PRINCIPLES TO KEEP IN MIND

1. Our ways are not God’s ways. (Isa. 55:8,9)
2. Our views are not God’s views. (I Sam. 16:7)
3. Our time is not God’s time. (II Peter 3:8-9)
4. Conclusion of these facts: God’s government cannot be perceived by observation­al judgment, but it can be understood by faith. (Heb. 11:1-40)
5. We must know that God’s method of government is altogether wise, whether we can see the wisdom in it or not.

II. GOD HAS CHOSEN TO PERMIT EVIL

1. He permitted man’s temptation and fall.
2. He permitted 1656 years of violence before the flood.
3. He permitted evil to continue after the flood.
4. He permits Satan access to the earth now. (Job 1:7-12, I Pet. 5:8)
5. He permitted His Son to be murdered. (Acts 2:23, Acts 7:52)
6. He permits men to resist His omnipotence. (Acts 7:51)
7. He permits us to be tempted within well-guarded limits. (I Cor. 10:12-13)

Note: Be assured that every one of these is by well-defined permission, not God’s lack of ability to control.

III. GOD DOES RESTRAIN ALL THINGS

1. Let us understand that the giving of permission, or permitting an event, supposes ability to prevent it.
2. Thus, the limit of permission is the line where God purposes to restrain. (Psa 76:10)

III: (Job 1:12 and Job 2:4-6) – God permitted Satan to go only so far with Job, but He did permit him to go that far. The very same principle holds in I Cor. 10:12 and 13.

3. The conclusion then is this:

i. God is never the tempter or the efficient cause of evil.
ii. God permits evil, simply by permitting satanic force and human depravity to function.
iii. He is able to, and does, restrain that function at whatsoever point He sovereign­ly chooses.
iv. Thus, according to Ps. 76:10, He makes the wrath, or depraved activity of fallen man to praise Him, and beyond whatever point it will do so, He restrains it.

III: The crucifixion of Christ was by God’s ordination, through permission. Yet, it was equally by man’s depraved and sinful volition (Acts 2:23). But as prophecy stated, He did not permit His bones to be broken. However, that restraint was also facilitated through human volition.

IV. BY THIS METHOD GOD CONTROLS ALL THINGS

1. He places before natural man evidences and circumstances, whereby he will voluntarily fulfill God’s decree.
2. Therefore, we conclude that man functions voluntarily, but always in accord with his nature, he is totally accountable.
3. Wherever it pleases God, as in Acts 9:1-6, He converts man, so that his deeds become godly, but He is still acting as voluntarily as before.
4. The conclusion of the matter, then, is this:

i. God is the efficient cause of all good and no evil.
ii. God is always the ultimate governor of His creation.
iii. Since He permits creature volition to function, His creation is both responsible and accountable.

NOTE: This is the last of my Theology outlines and lectures. From this point forward, I will assign other lectures and outlines which are relative to theological study and thought, but are not necessarily “Theology Proper.”