The Story of God

Story of God

Striving to understand the universe by looking up to the heavens, looking outward to creation, looking inward to our deceitfully wicked hearts; we find ourselves in darkness and wretchedness beyond comprehension.  The only singular truth we can discern from nature is that there is a God, and I am not him.  The heavens do truly declare his glory, but it is not until we are exposed to his written Word that we come to a more complete understanding of who God is and what he has done.

“From its very beginning, the Christian church has always accepted Holy Scripture as the Word of God, beginning with the Old Testament. In Israel, from the most ancient times on the authority of YHWH’s commandments and statutes, i.e., of the Torah and of the prophets, it is established. In Israel, Moses and the prophets have always been men of divine authority, and their writings were immediately recognized as authoritative. Over time, however, that authority was undermined by a gradually emerging reliance on oral tradition that was also believed to have been passed down from Moses. Jesus and the early church shared the Jewish honoring of the Old Testament, though they did not accept the broader claims of Jewish rabbinic tradition. The church, therefore, was never without a Bible, even at Pentecost. The church fathers say little about the dogma of Scripture; for them its authority was a given. This was understood to mean an infallible Bible and the image of “dictation by the Holy Spirit” is even used. God is the author of Holy Scripture and its [human] writers were simply the hands of the Holy Spirit. The Scripture is “a letter of an omnipotent God to his creature.”[7] Scripture’s authority is plenary; nothing is indifferent and superfluous, but everything is full of divine wisdom; “for nothing is without meaning or without the seal that belongs to God.”[8] Origen in particular beat this drum and stated that there was nothing in Scripture “which did not come down from the fullness of the divine majesty.” Similarly, Jerome said: “Each and every speech, all syllables, marks and periods in the divine scriptures are full of meanings and breathe heavenly sacraments.” Hence Holy Scripture was without any defect or error, even in chronological, historical matters.[9] Augustine, in his letter to Jerome, writes that he firmly believed that none of the canonical writers “erred in anything they wrote.” Hence when there is mistake, “one is not allowed to say: the author of this book did not hold to the truth but either the copy of a book is faulty, or the interpreter erred, or you do not understand it.”[Herman Bavink, Reformed Dogmatics ]

God reveals himself to Adam and Eve by direct communication-he speaks to them directly.  Also in the story of Cain and Able we see dialogue between God and Cain.  Abraham seems to have direct communication with God, and also Moses; who is to be an intermediary between God and the people of Israel.   The writing of the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses are a precursor to a more perfect relationship with our Creator that begins in the pages of the New Testament.

“ Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV - Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

“ Hebrews 9:15 ESV - Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.⁠”

“Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” These Scriptures (the O.T.) was written for our understanding and by perseverance and encouragement of the Incarnate Word( Jesus Christ) we who believe in Him may have hope.  God gave us the inspired Word as a special revelation to all of humanity, “ John 3:16 ESV

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Therefore, let us believe on his name that we may be saved from the wrath to come, that is coming upon the earth and those who reject this offer; “ Jude 1:12-13 RSV - These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they boldly carouse together, looking after themselves; waterless clouds, carried along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars for whom the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved for ever.” Proverbs 16:4 RSV - “The LORD has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble.”

For we ,as the Church, are the New Israel of God( which includes Jews and gentiles alike), the elect.  But some are not elect; reprobates who are past over by God.  This is by God’s design and cannot be questioned by man.  For even Paul said, “ Romans 9:14-16 RSV - Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy.

Romans 9:20-22 RSV - But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me thus?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction”

So then, God’s sovereignty is proved true!  By God’s own Word, the Bible— it is proved true. Our free will is limited by our fallen state, and cannot be overcome but by God’s grace. For “we were dead in our trespasses and sins…”(Ephesians 2:1) This is a mystery, a paradox to hold this truth in humility but never forgetting, “but for the grace of God, there go I.”

“ We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment: nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly. And, as to what he doth surpassing human understanding, we will not curiously inquire into, farther than our capacity will admit of; but with the greatest humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of God, which are hid from us, contenting ourselves that we are disciples of Christ, to learn only those things which he has revealed to us in his Word, without transgressing these limits. This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us. And therefore we reject that damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance.”(Belgic Confession, Article 13)

“ God’s Eternal Decrees

1. From all eternity and by the completely wise and holy purpose of his own will, God has freely and unchangeably ordained whatever happens.1 This ordainment does not mean, however, that God is the author of sin (he is not), 2 that he represses the will of his created beings, or that he takes away the freedom or contingency of secondary causes. Rather, the will of created beings and the freedom and contingency of secondary causes are established by him.3

1. Eph 1.11, Rom 11.33, Heb 6.17, Rom 9.15,18, Acts 4.27-28, Mt 10.29-30, Eph 2.10, Is 45.6-7.

2. Jas 1.13-14, 17, 1 Jn 1.5, Eccl 7.29, Ps 5.4.

3. Acts 2.23, Mt 17.12, Acts 4.27-28, Jn 19.11, Prv 16.33, Acts 27.23-24, 34, 44.

2. Although God knows whatever may or can happen under all possible circumstances, 4 he has not ordered anything because he foresaw it in the future as something which would happen under such circumstances.5

4. Acts 15.18, 1 Sm 23.11-12, Mt 11.21,23, Ps 139.1-4, Prv 16.33.

5. Rom 9.11,13, 15-16, 18, 2 Tm 1.9, Eph 1.4-5.

3. In order to manifest his glory God has ordered that some men and angels should be predestined to everlasting life6 and that others should be foreordained to everlasting death.7

6. 1 Tm 5.21, Mt 25.31,41, Acts 13.48, Rom 8.29-30, Jn 10.27-29, Mk 8.38, Jude 6.

7. Rom 9.22-23, Eph 1.5-6, Prv 16.4, Mt 25.41, Jude 4.

4. This predestination and foreordination of angels and men are precise and unchangeable. The number and identity of angels and men in each group are certain, definite, and unalterable.8

8. 2 Tm 2.19, Jn 13.18, 10.14-16,27-29, 6.37-39, Acts 13.48, Jn 17.2,6,9-12.

5. Before the creation of the world, 9 according to his eternal, unchangeable plan10 and the hidden purpose and good pleasure of his will, 11 God has chosen in Christ12 those of mankind who are predestined to life and to everlasting glory.13 He has done this solely out of his own mercy and love and completely to the praise of his wonderful grace.14 This choice was completely independent of his foreknowledge of how his created beings would be or act. Neither their faith nor good works nor perseverance had any part in influencing his selection.15

9. Eph 1.4.

10. Eph 1.11.

11. Eph 1.9.

12. 2 Tm 1.9.

13. Rom 8.30, 1 Thes 5.9, 1 Pt 5.10.

14. Eph 1.5-6, 12.

15. Rom 9.11, 13, 15-16, Eph 1.4,6,9, 2 Tm 1.9, Eph 2.8-9.

6. Just as God has determined that the elect shall be glorified, so, too, in the eternal and completely free purpose of his will he has foreordained all the means by which that election is accomplished.16 And so, those who are chosen, having fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ.17 They are effectually called to faith in Christ by his Spirit working in them at the right time,18 and they are justified,19 adopted,20 sanctified,21 and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.22 Only the elect, and no others, are redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.23

16. 1 Pt 1.2, Eph 1.4-5, 2.10, 2 Thes 2.13.

17. 1 Thes 5.9-10, Ti 2.14, Rom 5.19.

18. Rom 9.11, 2 Thes 2.13-14, 1 Cor 1.9.

19. Rom 8.30.

20. Eph 1.5.

21. 2 Thes 2.13, Eph 1.4, 1 Thes 4.3.

22. 1 Pt 1.5, Jn 10.28.

23. Jn 17.9, Rom 8.28-39, Jn 6.64-65, 8.47, 10.26, 1 Jn 2.19, Acts 13.48.

7. According to the hidden purpose of his own will, by which he offers or withholds mercy at his pleasure, and for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, it pleased God not to call the rest of mankind24 and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin25 to the praise of his glorious justice.26

24. Mt 11.25-26, 1 Pt 2.8.

25. Rom 9.14-22, Jude 4, Rom 2.8-9, 2 Thes 2.10-12.

26. 2 Tm 2.19-20, Rv 15.3-4.

8. This important and mysterious doctrine of predestination must be treated with special discretion and care, so that, paying attention to and obeying the will of God revealed in his word, men may be assured that they have been eternally chosen from the certainty of their effectual calling. In this way the doctrine of predestination will elicit not only our praise, reverence, and admiration for God, but also a humble and diligent life, fully supporting everyone who sincerely obeys the gospel.27

27. Rom 9.20, 11.33, Dt 29.29, 2 Pt 1.10, Eph 1.6, Rom 11.5-6, 20, 8.33, Lk 10.20, see General Note.”(Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 3, God’s eternal decrees)