Providence, sovereignty and human free will (MPhil & PhD Edit)

Today

MPhil, Bangor University, 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives 

Chapter 11, entitled The Mystery of Providence, is the centre piece of Carson’s book and sets out his philosophical outlook concerning the problem of evil in light of God’s sovereignty and human freedom.

Carson stated: The Bible as a whole, and sometimes in specific texts, presupposes or teaches that both of the following propositions are true:

1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimized, or mitigated.

2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures–they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent...so far as the Bible is concerned, the two propositions are taught and are mutually compatible. Carson (1990: 201).

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology

It could be understood that providence would be the method by which God has sovereign control over his creation, and as Calvin notes, God’s providence has him work through persons. Calvin (1543)(1996: 36). Philip Edgcumbe Hughes (1990) explains that through God’s providence the world is dependent, for if God did not maintain it, it would cease to exist. Hughes (1990: 45). In Law of Nature, Edwards (1731-1733)(2006) explains that providence is the means by which God governs the world as the supreme judge of the universe. Edwards (1731-1733)(2006: 553).

My MPhil and PhD view of compatibilism (soft determinism) allows for significantly free human beings to commit free actions, simultaneously influenced and determined by an outside force, but never with the use of constraint, coercion or force. If/when coercion or force is used, by a primary or secondary cause, upon another secondary cause, this cancels significant human (or angelic moral) responsibility as a secondary cause of thoughts, acts and actions. As under strain, significant limited free will would not exist.

God is reasoned the first cause of all things, with moral perfection as infinite and perfectly good.

CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html

CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html

CALVIN, JOHN (1540)(1973) Romans and Thessalonians, Translated by Ross Mackenzie, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. CALVIN, JOHN (1550)(1978) Concerning Scandals, Translated by John W. Fraser, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

CALVIN, JOHN (1552)(1995) Acts, Translated by Watermark, Nottingham, Crossway Books. 

CALVIN, JOHN (1553)(1952) Job, Translated by Leroy Nixon, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. 

CALVIN, JOHN (1554)(1965) Genesis, Translated by John King, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.

CARSON, DONALD.A. (1981) Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, Atlanta, John Knox Press.

CARSON, DONALD.A. (1990) How Long, O Lord?, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

CARSON, DONALD.A. (1996) The Gagging of God, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House. 

EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1729)(2006) Sovereignty of God, New Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.

EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1731-1733)(2006) Law of Nature, New Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.

EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1754)(2006) Freedom of the Will, Flower Mound, Texas. Jonathanedwards.com.

HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.