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Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Is this just Fatalism?

Last night I preached a message on the Sovereignty of God. It is a doctrine that I have fallen in love with over the past six or seven years. It is an anchor in the midst of trial, something solid when everything else is shifty. But, is what I said about the foreordination of all things and the absolute certainty of God's plan being fully and completely accomplished, is that just fatalism?


No I don't believe it is. I think the biblical doctrine of God's sovereign
providence (governance of all things) is as far removed from
fatalism as night and day. Fatalism says, "Whatever is, must be".
Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be. There is no reason
things happen, no goal they are working towards.


Providence says that things are happening by design. Providence says "whatever God ordains must be". The difference is massive. Fatalism is driven by blind forces, chance, etc. Providence is driven by the wise, masterful, loving plan of God. Fatalism says that things are just happening - no reason for them to that goal. Spurgeon said, "there is all the difference between fate and Providence that because God has a great and noble goal and is working all things towards the completion there is between a man with good eyes and a blind man".

I do not believe in blind fate, but celebrate the God who is working all things according to a master plan!

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