What Is Providence?

by Derek W. H. Thomas

Publisher:

P&R

, 2008

Overview

Few things distinguish Christian and secular worldviews with greater clarity than the doctrine of providence: that everything that happens is the outcome of the sovereign overruling of God. So what is Providence? In this booklet, Derek Thomas examines the providence of God by observing how the Bible explains the complex lives of men and women as well as weighing opposing viewpoints, including Open Theism and Molinistic views of “middle knowledge.”

Contents

Top Highlights

“The word providence consists of a prefix, pro, meaning ‘in front of’ or ‘before,’ and the Latin root videre, ‘to see.’” (Page 6)

“Puritan John Flavel put it: ‘Sometimes providences, like Hebrew letters, must be read backward” (Page 10)

“What are God’s works of providence?’ To which the answer is given: ‘God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.’” (Page 5)

“that everything that occurs, both good and evil, falls out according to a predetermined plan of almighty God” (Page 17)

“No matter what circumstance we may find ourselves in, we may always be assured that it is covered by the efficacy of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. The cross dispels any doubt as to the outcome, for there—in the darkest point of human history—sin and evil were conquered and Satan vanquished. In the strictest sense, everything is converging so as to bring glory to the triune God. Nothing, absolutely nothing is adrift of the purposes of God to accomplish his ultimate design for the cosmos. In the famous words of Abraham Kuyper given at the inaugural address at the opening of the Free University, Amsterdam: ‘There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!” (Pages 36–37)

Product Details

• Title: What Is Providence?
• Author: Derek W. H. Thomas
• Series: Basics of the Faith
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Providence and government of God › Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781596380929, 1596380926
• Resource ID: LLS:WHATISPROVIDENCE
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:45:00Z

About Derek W. H. Thomas

Originally from Wales, Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at the Jackson campus of RTS. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr. Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. In addition to serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A graduate of RTS in 1978, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written or edited 15 books and has contributed to commentary series by Banner of Truth and Evangelical Press. He also co-edited Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship, (P & R) with Philip Ryken and Ligon Duncan. In 2004, Derek Thomas became Editorial Director for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and the editor of its ezine, Reformation 21 (www.reformation21.org ). His interests include the music of Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner, and Gustav Mahler, and he has a passion for good coffee and blue cheese