The Doctrine of Providence - Part Four

Concurrence (continued). In the Bible there are many passages that illustrate the relationship between God’s actions and human actions, or what we call primary and secondary causes. But there are two passages that stand out in this regard. In the Old Testament the interaction between Joseph and his brothers is classic example of this interaction. After the death of their father Jacob, Joseph’s brothers are worried that he will now enact revenge on them for their cruel betrayal. Joseph, however, speaks to them with kindness and reassures them that he will not turn against them. He says, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:19-20). It should be noted that Joseph recognizes both the actions of God and the actions of his brothers. His brothers did what they did for their own wicked reasons and God is not responsible for their sinful actions. But that does not mean he was absent and not involved in what was happening. He was there working out his holy purposes in the lives of everyone involved by taking what was evil and overruling it for good. This is concurrence.

The classic passage in the New Testament is one that has to do with the death of Jesus. In Acts 2:23-24 Peter says: “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from death, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” In a similar passage in Acts 4:27-28 the early Christians pray: “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” Both passages speak of the evil intentions of men for which they are responsible. But neither passage suggests that God is not involved at the same time in some way. In both passages God is described as accomplishing his purpose which involved the greatest possible good, without doing anything wrong or evil himself. Thus men are active and God is active. But they could not do anything if he does not empower them, and yet, he is not the author of sin, their actions are real, and they are responsible for them all. This is concurrence.

To be continued next post...