Ortberg: Big God

I strongly believe that the way we live is a consequence of the size of our God. The problem many of us have is that our God is too small. We are not convinced that we are absolutely safe in the hands of a fully competent, all-knowing, ever-present God.

When we wake up in the morning, what happens if we live with a small God? We live in a constant state of fear and anxiety because everything depends on us. Our mood will be governed by our circumstances. We will live in a universe that leaves us deeply vulnerable.

When we have a chance to share our faith, we shrink back - what if we are rejected or cannot find the right words? It all depends on us.

We cannot be generous because our financial security depends on us.

When we need to give someone strong words of confrontation or challenge, we will be inclined to pull our punches. That is because if we don't live in the security of a big God's acceptance, we become slaves to what others think of us.

If we face the temptation to speak deceitful words to avoid pain, we will probably do it. We may try to get credit for something at work that does not belong to us, because we don't trust in a big God who sees in secret and will one day give reward.

If somebody gets mad at us or disapproves, we will get all twisted up in knots - we will not have the security of knowing that a giant God is watching out for us.

When human beings shrink God, they offer prayer without faith, work without passion, service without joy, suffering without hope. It results in fear, retreat, loss of vision and failure to persevere.

If You Want to Walk on Water.... p192-193.

Calvin: prayer

Words fail to explain how necessary prayer is, and in how many ways the exercise of prayer is profitable. Surely, with good reason, the Heavenly Father affirms that the only stronghold of safety is calling upon His name (cf.Joel 2:32). By so doing we invoke the presence
both of his providence, through which he watches over and guards our affairs,
and of his power, through which he sustains us, weak as we are and well-nigh overcome,
and of his goodness, through which he receives us, miserably burdened with sins, unto grace;
and in short, it is by prayerthat we call him to reveal himself as wholly present to us.

Hence comes an extraordinary peace and repose to our consciences. For having disclosed to the Lord the necessity that was pressing upon us, we even rest fully in the thought that none of our ills is hid from Him who, we are convinced, has both the will and the power to take the best care of us.

Institutes, 3.20.2 (Battles, p851)

Calvin: Faith

For unbelief is so deeply rooted in our hearts, and we are so inclined to it, that not without hard struggle is each one able to persuade himself of what all confess with the mouth: namely, that God is faithful.

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Institutes, 3.2.15 (Battles p.560)

Civil War 3 (providence)

Another interesting stress point concerned Providence. Not only were many on both sides claiming authority from the Bible, they also believed that God was involved in human affairs. This led to commentators and preachers from North and South interpreting events, battles, decisions etc within the context of what God was doing - and with a great deal of certainty too.

But as the war dragged on, fatalities increased, and deeper complexities became apparent, this certainty in providence also became an issue of weakness. Contradictory interpretations, hideous turns of event...and then even after the war, both sides interpreting the outcome as endorsing their view - either as total vindication, or as discipline on a sinful people.

In the midst of this, maybe it was natural to slide towards thinking the real resolution of the war was not God but force of arms, organisation and management, and industrial mobilisation? And so 20th century America?

Freedom

To be modern is to be torn in two. We celebrate freedom as if we can do anything we want, if we put our minds to it. At the same time, we bemoan the way our genes, our childhood, and social forces determine everything we do. When we grow bald, lose our temper, or get laid off, experts tell us that we really have no choice in the matter. Life is preordained by factors that outflank our feeble will. Yet at the same time we celebrate will power as if everything is contingent and subject to our control. The decline of providence has left us intellectually schizophrenic. We define freedom as the opposite of submission and obedience but end up feeling hardly free at all.

Stephen H Webb, Books & Culture, 31st March 2009

Calvin: comfort of providence

Calvin's discussion of providence is fascinating. He is trying to deal with the same kinds of questions that anyone today would, who believes in the sovereignty of God and yet also sees cause and effect as a reality and not charade. Overall, it reinforces my growing sense that the only way I can get through the question without my brain catching fire, is to say that God is absolutely sovereign AND AT THE SAME TIME life, decisions, consequences etc are all also authentic. I'm placing it in the same category as a number of other issues, which deal with the interface between time/humanity/finite reality and God/eternity/mystery.

But here's a great thing about Calvin (apart from his freedom in calling opposers rude names and not feeling bad about it): there is in his systematics a constant pastoral aim. So here's a bit that I liked:

And since it is uncertain what will be the outcome of the business he is undertaking (except that he knows that in all things the Lord will provide for his benefit), he will aspire with zeal to that which he deems expedient for himself, as far as it can be obtained by intelligence and understanding. Yet in taking counsel he will not follow his own opinion, but will entrust and submit himself to God's wisdom, to be directed by his leading to the right goal. But his confidence will not so rely upon outward supports as to repose with assurance in them if they are present, or, if they are lacking, to tremble as if left destitute. For he will always hold his mind fixed upon God's providence alone, and not let preoccupation with present matters draw him away from steadfast contemplation of it.

Institutes, 1.17.12 (Battles p.222)
empahsis added.

Calvin: providence

...God's providence does not always meet us in its naked form, but God in a sense clothes it with the means employed.

Institutes 1.17.4 (Battles p.216)

Augustine: judgment

If now every sin were to suffer open punishment, it would seem that nothing is reserved for the final judgement. Again, if God were now to punish no sin openly, one would believe that there is no providence.

Providence

Understanding and applying the doctrine of divine providence will be absolutely essential for any church leaders...One reason is that an understanding of providence will help them to fight the temptation to despair, or give up, in the face of the challenges ahead.

Reeder, From Embers..., p168-9