Doctrine of Will of God

July 21, 2010

Doctrine of WILL OF GOD

1.    There is one all inclusive will and purpose of God concerning all that ever was or ever will be, therefore, it is important to remember this when confronted by the foolishness of man or the disasters of history.

2.    Since there are three persons in the Godhead, known as the Trinity, the divine will and the actions of God within the Godhead are referred to as imminent, intrinsic, and subjective.

3.    The will of God related to creation is referred to as extrinsic, transient, and objective.

A.    extrinsic:  outside of God in that there is human free will.
B.    transient:  chronological from the viewpoint of humans, but simultaneous from the viewpoint of God.
C.    objective:  in the sense that the function of divine integrity leads to the ultimate glory of God.

4.    All events of human history are interwoven and interdependent.  (Eph 1:11, 2:10-11)

5.    Since nothing can occur unknown to God, this makes His will unchangeable and certain; this makes His plan victorious and perfect even though imperfect people in His plan fail.

6.    The will of God, as reflected in the divine decrees, will be completed regarding all of God’s creatures, angelic and human.

7.    The will of God will also be completed regarding all creation, both animals and the inanimate.

8.    Jesus Christ controls history.

9.    God the Father, as Author of the plan, is bound by His integrity, truth, and faithfulness to complete what He has begun; He will end up the winner and have greater glory than He had in the beginning.

10.    Preservation and Providence:

A.    Preservation:  preservation continues the existence of animate and inanimate creatures.
B.    Providence:  the work of God is called providence.

1)    Providence is a technical theological word.
2)    By providence, God molds all events (including sin, good, and evil) into the fulfillment of His will and purpose

11.    While preservation continues the existence of animate and inanimate creatures, providence directs their progress.

12.    Human history is programmed by the dispensations.

13.    The divine objective in human history is revealed in the seven imputations which outline the glorification of God on the part of man.

14.    The will of God is directive.  God has a plan for our lives (X+Y+Z), and when we progress in that plan, this is the concept of Providence.  Providence directs that progress.

15.    The will of God is determinative.  God has permitted non-meritorious positive volition to bring us to the place of imputed blessing or to the place of cursing.

15.    The will of God is permissive, for negative volition is permitted.  The consequences are related to the integrity of God: divine discipline.

16.    The will of God is also preventative, providing the laws of divine establishment, Bible doctrine, the royal family honor code, divine discipline, and preventative suffering to keep human volition and self-determination inside the will of God.