Providential Living

The following notes, relate to the issues raised in the discussion led by Dr. Robert Closs on 5/4/00.

Dr. Closs began by giving a personal testimony of how he has experienced the leading of God in his own life as evidence of Providence. He then invited those present to contribute their own experiences to the discussion and many did so. The following references formed a Biblical basis for the discussion.

Chapter 5. Of Providence. Section 1 of the Westminster Confession

GOD, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold,⁽¹⁾ direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,⁽²⁾ from the greatest even to the least,⁽³⁾ by his most wise and holy providence, ⁽⁴⁾ according to his infallible foreknowledge, ⁽⁵⁾ and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, ⁽⁶⁾ to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.⁽⁷⁾

1. Heb. 1:3.
2. Dan. 4:34,35; Ps. 135:6; Acts 17:25,26,28; Job 38:, 39:, 40:, 41:
3. Matt. 10:29-31.
4. Prov. 15:3; Ps. 104:24; 145:17.
5. Acts 15:18; Ps. 94:8-11.
6. Eph. 1:11; Ps. 33:10,11.
7. Isa. 63:14; Eph. 3:10; Rom. 9:17; Gen. 45:7; Ps. 145:7.

Since the eternal and immutable purpose of God has certainly predetermined whatsoever comes to pass, it follows that he must execute his own purpose not only in his works of creation, but likewise in his continual control of all his creatures and all their actions. This section therefore teaches:

1. That God having created the substances of which all things are composed out of nothing, having endued these substances with their respective properties and powers, and having out of them formed all things organic and inorganic, and endowed them severally with their respective properties and faculties, he continues to sustain them in being and in the possession and exercise of those properties during the entire period of their existence.
2. That God directs all the actions of his creatures according to their respective properties and relations.
3. That his providential control extends to all his creatures and all their actions of every kind.
4. That his providential control is in all respects the consistent execution of his eternal, immutable, and sovereign purpose.
5. That the final end of his providence is the manifestation of his own glory.¹

Created: 3/5/00   Last modified: Fri Feb 18 18:52:57 EST 2005