01.09 - Chapter 9 - The Works of God

Chapter 9 THE WORKS OF GOD A Confession of Faith

“In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.” (The Baptist Confession Of Faith Of 1689, Chapter 4, Section 1; study John 1:2-3; Hebrews 1:2; Job 26:13; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:31)

Creation The fact of a Divine creation is declared in the very first statement of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Christians believe this to be true without question and without apology to modern science. There is good reason. Since creation is not observable and has not been repeated then any "scientific" explanation of the universe demands faith to receive it. In reality, what people are being asked to do is to make a choice between the science of Humanism and Creation Science. The choice to remain with the Scriptures should be constant for it is part of the Word of God that lives and abides forever. In contrast science keeps changing.

During the latter part of the nineteenth century, the infamous atheist Robert G. Ingersol laughed at Moses for summarizing the whole subject of astronomy in five words: "He made the stars also.” Robert Ingersol should not have laughed. The author of Genesis never intended to teach astronomy as much as he wanted to declare a logical and necessary starting point: God was the Creator of all things. Five words were enough to state the obvious.

It is one of the ironies of history and literature that Genesis 1:1-31 should be declared unscientific for Genesis 1:1-31 has made the study of true science possible. Historically, there was no science, and there could be no science, until men recognized that unity, order, and development are intrinsic in nature. This understanding came as a result of accepting the Divine revelation. It was Christian men who gave the world science because they realized that God was a God of unity, order, and law. The unity, order, and law that God established according to sovereign will could be studied. And so it was that science was born. The world owes a debt of gratitude to the scientists who were Christian.

• Francis Bacon English philosopher 1561-1626 • Johannes Kepler German astronomer 1571-1630 • Galileo Italian astronomer 1564-1642 • William Harvey English physician /anatomist 1578-1657 • Isaac Newton English mathematician / 1642-1727 natural philosopher Of course, not all Christians have appreciated the scientific mind and new discoveries, even of other Christians who were scientists. The story is told that when speaking of Copernicus (1473-1543), Martin Luther said bluntly, "The fool wants to turn the whole science of astronomy upside down." It was true. Copernicus finally grew bold enough to write, "As if seated upon a royal throne, the Sun rules the family of the planets as they circle around him." Copernicus was correct and consistent with both science and the Scriptures for the Bible never taught the concept that all things revolve around the earth. The Bible never taught that the earth is flat, as it was once believed. In fact, it was Isaiah who saith that, "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22) True science will never replace or disprove the Bible for the Bible provides the starting point of all discoveries: "In the beginning God." Inquiring Christian minds want to know as much as possible how God created things in the beginning while unregenerate minds want to insist that creation occurred apart from God through matter. Matter, modern science now says, is eternal, not God.

Three Possible Explanations Of Creation There are but three possible explanations of the physical universe.

• The universe is eternal and self-existent, which is impossible. Matter reveals the evidence of the combination of different materials, and also of complex arrangement. Therefore, it is not self-existent. Matter presents the essential characteristics of a produced substance.

Matter is created

• The universe is an emanation from the substance of God. This concept is unworthy of God who is pure and holy while the universe is defiled by chaos and corruption.

• God created the universe ex nihilo (lit. out of nothing). The only rational position to embrace is that God created the universe ex nihilo. Unless nature is viewed as a closed system, it is rational to believe in One who stands outside the system as the Author of all life. It is also good to remember that the lower cannot account for the higher, but the higher may account for the lower. A Supernatural origin of the universe is the only sensible conclusion for all things.

Creation and Evolution

Returning to the theory of Evolution, Materialistic evolutionists deny creation by the fiat (command) of God. They assume the eternity of matter and the laws of nature, and make all the ordered universe and its vital living forms to arise by Natural Laws and natural selection. This eliminates all intelligent design and purpose in life. “The best that can be said for Materialistic Evolution is that it is bad atheism, and blind chance, contradicted on every page of nature and by all human experience.” (David Clark) A strong case against Materialistic Evolution can be made.

• First, there is the difficulty Materialistic Evolution has by denying a First Cause. "It is vastly more difficult to account for the ordered universe from a materialistic point of view than form Theistic perspective." (David Clark) "Consider the wondrous works of God!" (Job 37:14).

• Second, there is the difficulty Materialistic Evolution has by a denial of Final Cause. There is design in the universe. There is purpose. Materialistic Evolution cannot account for the design that has been perfectly produced. Consider just the earth. The earth is a minuscule globe only 8,000 miles in diameter and 25,000 miles in circumferences. Yet it is the only means of life and travel in space for humanity. Life lives on the surface of this 6 sextillion (21 zeroes) ton object which travels at breathtaking speed. On its axis the earth revolves daily at the rate of more than 1,000 miles an hour, 25,000 miles a day, 9 million miles a year. The earth spins and moves upon its own. The Scriptures said this before modern science. "He hangeth the earth upon nothing" (Job 26:7).

• Third, Materialistic Evolution tries to separate Mind from matter but it cannot be done. There is too much intelligence in the universe. For example. We know our solar system is only a small part of a gigantic Island Universe or Galaxy called the "Milky Way." The Milky Way consists of billions of stars collectively shaped like a watch or a flat disc or platter. Our solar system is located on the outer edge or rim of this incredible disc of stars. Is all this a cosmic accident. "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power: not one faileth" (Isaiah 40:26).

• Fourth, the gulf between the living and the non-living cannot be crossed from a materialistic source. Life cannot come from non-life. Dr. Henry Morris has written extensively on this topic and offers the following conclusion. "Biochemists interested in this field have tried to approach the problem both analytically and experimentally, trying to learn enough of the structure of living materials to see how life could get started on its own and then to try to duplicate this imaginary abiogenesis in the laboratory under conditions simulating those which presumably existed on the primitive earth. Although many such scientists have expressed great confidence in the ultimate solution of this problem, the fact is that a solution is nowhere in sight and will probably never be attained. This is because of the overwhelming difficulties involved in synthesizing by natural means, either analytically or experimentally, a structure of such astounding complexity as even the simplest living thing" (Scientific Creationism).

• Fifth, the concept of an evolutionary process leading to spontaneous generation is a scientific improbability. The power of the microscope has proven that a cell, the simplest living organism, is not so simple. It is "a little universe, formed of a host of selfpropagating organisms, inconceivably minute and numerous as the stars of heaven" (quoted in After Its Kind, Byron Nelson).

• Sixth, the so called “missing links” necessary to connect plants to animals and animals to man are still missing, because they do not exist. The Bible teaches that God has established boundaries so that one species will not cross over into another. Many examples in nature could be offered as proof. Two will suffice. "The products of crosses between horses and asses are mules, and male mules are always completely sterile."

Again, "when bison and cattle are mated, nearly all the progeny are born dead, if a bison male is crossed with a cattle female. The mortality is less when a bison female is crossed with a cattle male. But then sterility enters, just as it does in the case of the mule." (After Its Kind, Byron Nelson). The Sad State of the Theistic Evolutionist In a tragic attempt to harmonize the known science of the modern world with the Bible, theistic evolutionists make God the Creator, and evolution the method of His working.

According to this compromising position between faith and the latest “science”, God created matter, gave it its laws, imparted life to certain forms, and by controlling providence and immanent power, wrought out the forms of the world’s life. Charles Darwin may have been a theistic evolutionist. He once said, "There is a grandeur in this view of life with its several powers having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms, or into one." The kindest thing that can be said about theistic evolution is that it is not necessary and invites more questions and concerns than it answers or solves. There is no reason to depart from Biblical creationism.

Remarks on Evolution in General

Because evolution cannot explain the origin of matter, force, life, the animal kingdom, nor the species within the kingdom, it is not worthy of acceptation. "To replace the Biblical doctrine of creation with an obscure theory of development, by mechanical forces without intelligent cause and design, is inadequate both from a scientific and a logical point of view" (David Clark).

Providence

“God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things, from the greatest to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will; to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy” (The Baptist Confession Of Faith Of 1689, Chapter 5, Section 1; study Hebrews 1:3; Job 38:11; Isaiah 46:10-11; Psalms 135:6; Matthew 10:29-31; Ephesians 1:11).

Providence embraces two elements: preservation and government. “God, who called the world into existence, maintains it in continuance, and governs it according principles of moral righteousness. If God should withdraw His preserving power or His Divine supervision then all created things would either cease to be or there would be moral chaos” (David Clark). Is Creation Continual?

According to this concept, nothing exists from moment to moment but everything is created new each moment by the agency of God. Surprisingly enough, Jonathan Edwards held to this view of a continual creation instead of a Divine preservation of an established creation.

However, there does not seem to be anything in Scripture to support this idea. It should be noted that a continual creation would extinguish all second causes, and destroy the responsibility of men for their evil acts. If creation is continual than God is the only operative agent in the universe effecting everything. The creature would affect nothing and therefore be without responsibility. The Extent of Divine Providence

God upholds the entire material universe that stretches into infinity. He continues the existence of all spiritual beings such as angels and He sustains life in plant, animal, and man.

Even those who are wicked are watched over by God while they sin thought God is not the efficient cause of their sin.

God Governs the Physical Universe

♦ Psalms 104:14 "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;"

♦ Psalms 135:7 "He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightning for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries."

♦ Psalms 147:16 "He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes."

♦ Psalms 147:17 "He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?"

♦ Acts 14:17 "Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

God Governs the Animal Creation ♦ Psalms 104:21 "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God."

♦ Matthew 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

♦ Matthew 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

God Governs the Events Of Human History

♦ 1 Chronicles 16:31 "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth."

♦ Psalms 47:7 "For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding."

♦ Daniel 2:21 "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"

God Governs the Lives Of Individuals ♦ 1 Samuel 2:6 "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."

♦ Proverbs 16:9 "A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

♦ James 4:15 "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

Included in this general principle of Divine providence is the care of God for the Church. “As the providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of His Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.” (The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, Chapter 5, Section 7; study 1 Timothy 4:10; Amos 9:8-9; Isaiah 4:3-5) God Governs the Smallest Details of Life

♦ Matthew 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." God Governs All Fortuitous (Accidental or Casual) Events

♦ Job 5:6 "Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;"

♦ Proverbs 16:33 "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."

God Governs the Free Actions Of Men ♦ Php 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

♦ Exodus 12:36 "And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians."

God Governs the Sinful Actions of Men

♦ 2 Samuel 16:10 "And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?"

♦ Psalms 76:10 "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."

♦ Romans 11:32 "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all."

♦ Acts 4:28 "For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

God is Not the Author of Sin

Though God governs the sinful actions of men, He is not the Author or Approver of the same. “The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate counsel extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and me; and that not by a bare permission, which also He most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth and governeth, in a manifold dispensation of His most holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.” (The Baptist Confession Of Faith Of 1689, Chapter 5, Section 4; study Romans 11:32-34; 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; 2 Kings 19:28; Psalms 76:10; Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 10:6-7, Isaiah 10:12; Psalms 50:21; 1 John 2:16) Why Sin is Allowed in the Saints In the governing of sin God has decreed that it be allowed to continue in time in the lives of the elect for a stated purpose. The Baptist Confession Of Faith Of 1689 explains. “The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends” (Chapter 5, Section 5; study 2 Chronicles 32:25-26, 2 Chronicles 32:31; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Romans 8:28). The Purpose of Sin in the Unsaved The purpose of the providence of God in allowing sinful actions to be manifested in the lives of the non-elect is far different from that which is permitted in the redeemed. “As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth His grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts; but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin; and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves even under those means which God useth for the softening of others” (The Baptist Confession Of Faith Of 1689, Chapter 5, Section 6; study Romans 1:24-26, Romans 1:28; Romans 11:7-8; Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:12; Deuteronomy 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12-13; Psalms 81:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Exodus 8:15, Exodus 8:32; Isaiah 6:9-10; 1 Peter 2:7-8) Definition of a Miracle The term miracle has been understood and defined in different ways. In a narrow sense a miracle is to be limited to the extra-ordinary acts of God in the external world. In the wider sense a miracle would include such spiritual realities as regeneration, conversion, and sanctification. The prevailing usage is in the more narrow sense.

• William G. T. Shedd. "A miracle is an extraordinary act of God."

• A.A. Hodge. "A miracle is an event in the external world obvious to the senses, which cannot be rationally attributed to any agent but God, which accompanies a messenger from God, to authenticate His message as divine."

• A.H. Strong. "A miracle is an event palpable (plain) to the senses, produced for a religious purpose by the immediate agency of God."

Classification of Miracles In their modus operandi (method of operation), miracles may be classified as immediate and mediate.

• Immediate miracles are those in which the agency of God is without intervening means, as the creation of the world, the raising of the dead, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Mediate miracles occur when God takes hold of natural forces or elements and uses them in a sovereign manner to exceed their normal performance for a specified end (note Acts 2:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Hebrews 2:4). One example of a mediate miracle would be the Flood whereby the surface of the earth was broken up by the fountains of the great deep. Others examples of mediate miracles would include the dividing of the waters of the Red Sea by a strong east wind (Exodus 10:19), the feeding of Israel with quails (Exodus 16:13), the terrible plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7:1-25, Exodus 8:1-32, Exodus 9:1-35, Exodus 10:1-29, Exodus 11:1-10), the destruction of Jabin’s army by storm and flood (Judges 4:2-24), and the destruction of the Assyrian army commanded by Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:16-36). The employment of natural means by God does not cause any occurrence to be any less a miracle for the Divine intervention is understood to be directing the forces. Are Miracles Probable or Improbable? The fact of a free and sovereign personal God settles the possibility of miracles. If God is the Creator of the world, His right and power to intervene in it cannot be denied. That He does intervene is the testimony of time. A God of mercy, goodness and love who rules over a suffering and perishing world will certain intervene when and where necessary. The greatest of all miracles is recorded in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His Son." A World without Miracles

“If the miraculous is denied and declared to be impossible, then no prayer should ever be offered or encouraged at the beside of the sick and dying. No cry for help should ever be allowed to arise in face of threatening danger or death. From a blind deaf process of nature a person may only await their destiny. Over the coffin of a loved one, where the heart has longed for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still, there comes the rudeness of false philosophers which say that there is no resurrection, no recognition in heaven, and no fellowship forever. For those who desire deliverance from an evil nature, the apostles of evolutionary uniformity argue that a new spiritual birth would be an unnatural interruption of a naturally (even sinful) development. If the supernatural is ruled out of life, all the holiest aspirations of the human heart would be buried in the grave of the miraculous. Let the heart of the world answer which is the more probable: is the Creator a moral or a non-moral God? Does the world exist for a physical or a moral end? Proper consideration for these questions will show how probable it is that miracles will occur when there is a sufficiently important moral or beneficent end to be served thereby.” (David Clark) Miracles are Instructive Christ and the Apostles set the teaching value of miracles forth.

♦ Matthew 9:6 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."

♦ Matthew 11:5 "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

♦ John 3:2 "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

♦ John 5:36 "But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me."

♦ John 9:30 "The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes."

♦ John 9:32 "Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind."

♦ John 20:30 "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:"

♦ John 20:31 "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

♦ John 10:37 "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."

♦ John 10:38 "But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. These verses shows clearly that miracles are evidential in their character." When and where do Miracles Occur?

Miracles are not to be expected where Natural Law is sufficient. Nor are they to be expected where revelation is sufficient. Miracles may be present when hopeless situations arise or where there is great faith for something special. Miracles are most infrequent in an unbelieving age or place. "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." (Matthew 13:58) The early church recorded the occurrence of miracles following the days of the Apostle.

Tertullian and Origen testify of the miraculous during the second century. Theodore Of Mopsuestia (d. 429) wrote during his lifetime that, "Many heathen among us are being healed by Christians from whatsoever sickness they may have, so abundant are miracles in our midst." The Scriptures indicate that miracles will continue beyond the days of the Apostles.

♦ John 14:12 "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do because I go to the Father."

♦ Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they shall drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."

Objections by Rationalism and Modernism The possibility of miracles in more modern times has been mocked. Rationalism, which arose in the middle of the 18th century (c.1750) to discredit the supernatural has given way to the Modernism of the 19th century which continues to discredit belief in miracles at the end of the 20th century. Miracles have been explain away by assigning them to natural causes. Thunder and lightening are thought sufficient to explain away the miracles on Sinai, Carmel, and the voice of God at Christ’s baptism. Liberal ministers dare to teach that the loaves and fishes were not multiplied in a miraculous way. Rather the example of a young child shamed others into sharing their limited lunch supplies. One by one the miracles of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, are discredited. The Silence of the Skeptics A sufficient response to the skeptic is to point to the mighty works which Christ performed.

• His miracles were performed before the unbelieving Pharisees and before sufficient numbers to verify and multiply the testimony of converts (John 14:11).

• Thomas demanded palpable proof of the resurrection, and received it in a miraculous manner (John 20:24-29)

• The Pharisees could not deny the miracles of Jesus but attributed them to Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies (Matthew 12:24-27).

• Nicodemus, a brilliant religious leader of the Jews said, "No man can do the miracles thou doest except God be with him. (John 3:2). Nicodemus believed in the supernatural, and so should we.

Special Arguments for Miracles • The denial of miracles is the denial of a free, living, personal God.

• The denial of a free-living personal miracle working God subverts all religion and all moral life. If there are no miracles then there is no salvation and no hope of a future life. Men will neither fear love or serve what has no power over them or relation to them.

• If there are no miracles then Christ was not God incarnate, He never rose from the grave, and He can offer no hope for the future.

• If there are no miracles, all things in nature and history must be explained on the basis of Natural Law which involves greater difficulties than belief in miracles.

• If there are no miracles then there was no special creation as set forth in Genesis.

• If there are no miracles then matter, not God is eternal. There is no preservation or providence and the world has continued itself in existence only by mere chance.

• If there were no Divine creation, man and all of life is the product of spontaneous generation, a scientific absurdity.

• If there are no miracles, an explanation must be given for the survival of the Jewish people, the Bible, prophecy, Christ and His teachings, the disciples and their convictions, the Church, and the new birth. By denying miracles, men are compelled to believe in less believable prodigies (wonders).

• If Jesus Christ is divine, and He is, it would be more incredible if He performed no miracles.

• Finally, the person who has once been the subject of regenerating grace and has experienced the saving power of God, and lives in communion with Him, will have little difficulty in believing in miracles. (suggested by David Clark) "Tell me how He got the song from the seraph and robed it in feathers got the canary. Tell me, then, what I wish you could tell me, how Jesus came to my gypsy tent. Oh, it is such a mystery to me! I wish somebody would fathom the deep and scale the heights and explain it to me. When there was no Bible, when I could not spell my name, when I was only a little wandering gypsy boy, with my brother and three sisters and my father, without God and without hope in the world--tell me how Jesus came to that old gypsy tent and opened my eyes and made me know He was my Saviour and my Lord. Tell me how, for I do not know. But I know He did it" (Gipsy Smith).