The Bible affirms that our decisions are real, and that God is in control. How can we understand the sovereignty of God over our choices? On the Thursday edition of Live the Promise Susie unpacks that question with author Randy Alcorn, founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries.
When God describes His plans and purposes for creation, the thread of His power is always paired with the genuine will of man. Randy points to the Old Testament story of Joseph in Genesis to demonstrate the sovereignty of God over human choice.
“God literally intended it for good – you can only intend it for good when your hand is, in some sense, in that.”
In Randy’s book, , he explores several key areas of the sovereignty of God, including
• The definition of sovereignty.
• Calvinism: a school of thought that emphasizes the sovereignty of God over human choice.
• Arminianism: a school of thought that emphasizes the freedom of the human will, while affirming the sovereignty of God.
• Approaching the discussion with a sense of humility.
• Common misconceptions of Calvinism and Arminianism.
• The flaws of open theism – In Randy’s words,
“God can’t reassure us that all things will work together for good if He doesn’t know what is going to happen in the future.”
• What it means when Scripture says that God “regrets” something.
Randy urges Christians to think critically without dividing.
“I have witnessed a lot of division over something that is a paradox, but nonetheless, I think it should move us to worship and awe, not division. We don’t understand it and we don’t have to understand it. God has indeed chosen and elected, but that choosing and election is somehow beautifully overlapped by aggressive prayer which makes a true difference, evangelism which makes a true difference, and the gospel that is genuinely offered to all people to accept or reject.”
Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Philippians 2:12-13; Acts 17:26; Acts 2:22-24; Genesis 50:20
Theme Song: He Knows by Jeremy Camp
Highlight : The beautiful collision of God’s power and our will
Work out your salvation… for God works in you
This program has been previously aired.
