SD 5.2
Savoy Declaration
5.2. Of Providence
Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
Proof texts
- Acts 2:23 — [23] this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
- Gen. 8:22 — [22] While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
- Jer. 31:35 — [35] Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar — the LORD of hosts is his name:
- Exod. 21:13 with Deut. 19:5
- 1 Kings 22:28, 34 — [28] And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” [34] But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”
- Isa. 10:6, 7 — [6] Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. [7] But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few;
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Acts 2:23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 1689 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?