The Christadelphian Bible Journal
March 2003 Volume 1 Number 3
The word providence is derived from the root, provide. In Biblical context it expresses the principle that Deity will provide all that is necessary for the outworking of His plan and purpose with this earth and man whom He has placed thereon (Gen. 22:8; Heb. 11:40; cf. Acts 24:2).
We may think of providence as having primary reference to the Heavenly Host working with the nations throughout history in order to bring about events which culminate with the re-establishment of God's Kingdom. We may also look to the raising up special men and women for a Godly purpose as being providential. Here, the Lord Jesus Christ is the preeminent example. But the Scriptures reveal much more. The Lord's providence operates in the lives of all His people, both for the time present and in the Age to Come.
There are many ways in which Divine providence can be present in the lives of believers. Among the most profound is the rod of correction. We should find great comfort in the promise that Deity will issue this loving provision of discipline when needed. David expressed this sentiment when he wrote, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word...It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes" (Psa. 119:67, 71). The arm of the Lord did indeed inflict great suffering upon the King. Yet such brought forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness as he was rightly exercised thereby. In the end David could say, "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word" (vs. 65).
Often it is difficult to recognize the hand of providence in our lives. But we must endeavor to do so otherwise we may not obtain the precise spiritual benefit that God desires. Some difficulties that we experience may not necessarily be providential; instead these may simply be the hard knocks we receive from such things as social interaction and self-inflicted wounds. Certainly all of this, when endured with a proper spirit, will contribute overall to the building of Godly character. However, when searching for substantive provident presence in our lives, we might ponder the more serious problems that arise, then prayerfully search for a connection between these and our present behavior.
For a good lesson in the relationship between providence and behavior we might look to the life of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, we are informed that he was given a thorn in the flesh in order to control the pride of life. This should tell us that the Lord may employ any number of methods to help correct our many human foibles. Our responsibility is to understand the hand of the Lord moving in our lives, and to be willing to conform to Divine wisdom.
Let us be truly thankful that God, in His mercy, has supplied all that is necessary for us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Our heavenly Father has graciously provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. With His help, through Jesus Christ, may each of us inherit the most precious provision of all: Life everlasting in the approaching Kingdom of God.
SELECTED LETTERS ("Resurrectional Responsibility" 1/03)
Dear Bible Journal:
Thank you for your comments and thoughts concerning the laws of our father in heaven. Your brother in the name of Jesus Christ - L.W.
Dear Bible Journal:
Where else in early Christadelphian writings is the responsibility doctrine treated as a first principle? Also some go to Ecclesiates 9:6 for proof that the enlightened rejecter will not be raised and judged. How do you respond to this? - A.B.
(COMMENT: Knowledge as the basis of resurrectional responsibility is a Biblically based foundation doctrine of the Christadelphian community. In addition to brethren Thomas' and Brown's work [1866], and the original BSF [1873], this can be seen in Elpis Israel [1850-66] where the teaching is included in the section entitled: "The Constitution of Sin." Also it is included in both The Revealed Mystery [1869] and Anastasis [1866] where it is treated as an element of the mystery of the gospel and an ingredient of "the milk of the word...Heb. 5:12-13..." Additionally, it is found in Christendom Astray [1862-69] where it appears as a part of "the true nature of the Apostolic Faith exhibited," as well as in the book, Jesus Christ and Him Crucified [JJA, 1870], where it is included as part of "the truth concerning Jesus Christ, as Prophet, Priest and King." The teaching is to be found likewise in The Christadelphian Instructor [1886], The Blood of Christ [1895], The Resurrection to Condemnation [1894], and in numerous Christadelphian articles [1851-1898]. Even John W. Lea, one of the Unamended pioneers, includes it in his book of first principles entitled, Divine Teaching. The Biblical case for the responsibility doctrine is capably set forth in most of the above works. Notwithstanding, brethren must periodically go back to the Scriptures and present it anew, lest the importance of the teaching slip. With regard to Ecclesiastes 9:6, we believe this has reference to the denial of eternal inheritance. Such is clearly indicated by the words "neither have they anymore a PORTION FOR EVER." Accordingly, we find nothing in verse that would preclude the principle of enlightenment as the basis for resurrectional responsibility. - ED)
Dear Bible Journal:
I am not sure where my email address was acquired from but I would respectfully ask that you remove it from future mailings. I did not ask for and do not wish to receive this information.
I believe the responsibility question has been sufficiently debated, that it is well known that there are two points of view, and all that needs to be decided is whether they can co-exist together. At our ecclesia they have peacefully co-existed side by side for the past one hundred years as they did in the whole brotherhood for fifty years before that. I have not read the article by "W.T." to which you refer and do not intend to read your comments on it. To spend endless time debating the fate of those without Christ, when all in agreement that their end destiny is death, seems to be without profit.
If you in conscience find it necessary to withdraw fellowship from those who teach and preach in Jesus the resurrection of the dead, as the Scriptures record that the apostles Peter and John did in Acts 4:2, in sad resignation I accept your decision. - J.F.
Dear Bible Journal: Please remove me from your email addresses. I have not read (W.T.'s) analysis and I don't wish to become involved in this discussion. - R.F.
Dear Bible Journal:
I don't know to whom I am replying even, and that is one of the reasons I feel I should not have gone on this list. It is sad that people who are brethren and sisters in Christ feel the need to hide behind anonymity when they think their views might cause problems elsewhere. If your names are clearly stated somewhere and I have missed them then please accept my apologies for this statement.
It is the greatest source of sadness to me that so many of our body are so tied up with the jots and tittles of the law and as a result fall out and display the most unacceptable human arrogance to the life of others as a result and apparently lose sight of the central issues that are involved in God's revelation to us. What is happening to our community? The search for truth seems to lead so many down this road where there is to be so much more emphasis on the judging of others and the apparent desire to make small things into massive and contentious issues than on the glorification of God.
Our salvation is wrought by the grace of God, not by the perfection of the individual by human endeavour. Surely we risk throwing it away if we lose sight of this fact. Our lives are to reflect that grace and forgiveness in the way we deal with each other. Sadly in our own in-fighting, in which you are clearly so deeply involved, this is not happening.
I urge you to rethink your position towards each other, but I have to ask you to remove me from this list. Sorry. - P.C. (COMMENT: Enlightenment as the basis for resurrectional responsibility is among the Biblical first principles enumerated in both the original BSF and BASF. We would urge brethren to carefully consider this fact in light of the central principle of Biblical fellowship taught in 1 John 1:5-7. Readers are also invited to go to: www.bereans.org and click on "The Berean Restatement." With respect to anonymity, we would point out that authorship is cited at the close of each article. Please go back and reread. -ED)
SELECTED LETTERS
("Resurrectional Responsibility" 1/03)
Dear Bible Journal:
Thank you for your comments and thoughts concerning the laws of our father in heaven. Your brother in the name of Jesus Christ - L.W.
Dear Bible Journal:
Where else in early Christadelphian writings is the responsibility doctrine treated as a first principle? Also some go to Ecclesiates 9:6 for proof that the enlightened rejecter will not be raised and judged. How do you respond to this? - A.B.
("Untimely Death of a Saint" 2/03)Dear Bible Journal: An interesting article but what explanation do you place on those who suffer almost unbearable pain over a prolonged period of time prior to death? Have their lives not been spared the suffering to make them pay for past sins? -I think not otherwise God would be cruel indeed.
It seems that an 'explanation' of just about every event can be found -- in the case quoted above I guess it would be to demonstrate resistance to something like Job's sufferings and his 'friends' advice to 'curse God and die.'
I think that we have to accept unquestioningly the fact that God knows the end from the beginning and that the various circumstances in which we find ourselves all need to be placed prayerfully in His hands. We can certainly draw compassion and encouragement from the scriptures of Truth as your article demonstrates but we perhaps need to be careful adding anything to any given situation that is not scripturally revealed -- only God knows for sure.
We really have no right to even question what God does never mind to seek to explain it - His ways are exactly that.
Might a longer life have led to more sinfulness? -- almost undoubtedly. Would it have led to more being able to be told of the Truth? -- very possibly. Would it have led to a more prolonged faithful witness to unbelievers? -- again, very possibly. So there is a 'tension' in seeking an adequate explanation which just returns me to saying that we should never question God's ways but accept that He is the author and finisher. -P.M.
(COMMENT: Thoughts on the above are invited from readers. -ED)
Dear Bible Journal:
How are you brother? You know I nearly hit delete - There's all sorts of Christadelphian cranks out there and my name being on Simon Hodgson's list I get all sorts of mails. Could you possibly adjust your email settings so on future mails I can see who it's coming from, or at least remember to sign it. It's not a good idea to do things anonymously among brethren in Christ. -S.C.
(COMMENT: Lord willing, we will attempt to accommodate this request in future mailings. Once again, authorship is designated at the conclusion of the articles. - ED)