Responding to Circumstances That Seem to Contradict God's Sovereignty

The concept of God's sovereignty is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing God's supreme authority and control over all events and circumstances ^{[1, 2]}. However, the reality of human experience often presents situations that appear to contradict this doctrine, prompting theological debates and discussions across various Christian traditions.

One of the primary biblical anchors for understanding God's sovereignty is the book of Psalms, which highlights the tension between human rebellion against God and God's ultimate control ^[1]. Similarly, Romans 13:2 underscores the divine establishment of authority, implying that resistance to it is futile ^[2].

Reformed theologians, such as Charles Hodge, have addressed the objections to the Augustinian doctrine of divine sovereignty, acknowledging that while there are formidable objections, they often stem from imperfectly sanctified nature or distorted understandings of the truth ^[6]. Hodge emphasizes that God's sovereignty in the distribution of providential blessings and religious advantages is undeniable, and it is irrational to argue against facts ^[4].

In dealing with circumstances that seem to contradict God's sovereignty, Calvin suggests that our natural bias towards unbelief and the weight of our sins can lead to doubts and trembling, especially when faced with adverse circumstances or temptations ^[5]. He advises believers to trust in God's providence and promises, casting their cares upon Him ^[3].

The Catholic tradition, represented by Aquinas, approaches the issue by distinguishing between truths that are directly of faith and those that are indirectly so, cautioning against obstinately holding false opinions on matters directly taught by God ^[7].

The Puritan tradition, as seen in Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms, views the struggle against Christ's kingdom as a manifestation of Satan's opposition, underscoring the spiritual warfare aspect of human experience ^[9].

Ultimately, responding to circumstances that seem to contradict God's sovereignty requires a nuanced understanding of biblical teachings, theological traditions, and the complexities of human experience. It involves acknowledging the limitations of human understanding, trusting in God's providence, and recognizing the spiritual dimensions of human struggles.

The biblical imagery of the potter and clay, referenced in Isaiah, serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, challenging humans to refrain from questioning God's will ^[8]. This imagery is echoed in Romans 9:20, emphasizing the need for humility in the face of divine sovereignty.

The various Christian traditions offer a range of perspectives on this issue, from the Reformed emphasis on God's providential control to the Catholic distinction between direct and indirect matters of faith. Together, they provide a rich theological framework for navigating the complexities of human experience in light of God's sovereignty.

Sources

Psalms “because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High. -- Psalms 107:11”
Romans “Romans 13:2 (BSB) — Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Care, Overmuch — About earthly things, forbidden -- Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27. God's providential goodness should keep us from -- Mt 6:26,28,30; Lu 22:35. God's promises should keep us from -- Heb 13:5. Trust in God should free us from -- Jer 17:7,8; Da 3:16. Should be cast on God -- Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7. An obstruction to the Gospel -- Mt 13:22; Lu 8:14; 14:18-20. Be without -- 1Co 7:32; Php 4:6. Unbecoming in saints -- 2Ti 2:4. Uselessness of -- Mt 6:27; Lu 12:25,26. Vanity of -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Warning against -- Lu 21:34. Sent as a punishment to”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 67: that they hear against the providence of God. This has already been shown. It is useless and irrational to argue against facts. It can avail 350 nothing to say that it is unjust in God to deal more favourably with one nation than with another, with one individual than with another, if in point of fact He acts as a sovereign in the distribution of his favours. That He does so act is undeniable so far as providential blessings and religious advantages are concerned. And this is all that Augustinianism asserts in regard to the dispensations ”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: 3:18 ). In such degrees of ignorance much doubt and trembling is necessarily implied, especially seeing that our heart is by its own natural bias prone to unbelief. To this we must add the temptations which, various in kind and infinite in number, are ever and anon violently assailing us. In particular, conscience itself, burdened with an incumbent load of sins, at one time complains and groans, at another accuses itself; at one time murmurs in secret, at another openly rebels. Therefore, whether adverse circumstances betoken the w”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 67: § 9. Objections to the Augustinian Scheme. That there are formidable objections to the Augustinian doctrine of divine sovereignty cannot be denied. They address themselves even more powerfully to the feelings and to the imagination than they do to the understanding. They are therefore often arrayed in such distorted and exaggerated forms as to produce the strongest revulsion and abhorrence. This, however, is due partly to the distortion of the truth and partly to the opposition of our imperfectly or utterly unsanctified nature, to the thi”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), The Knowledge of the Divine Persons, Art. 4: Article: Whether it is lawful to have various contrary opinions of notions? I answer that, Anything is of faith in two ways; directly, where any truth comes to us principally as divinely taught, as the trinity and unity of God, the Incarnation of the Son, and the like; and concerning these truths a false opinion of itself involves heresy, especially if it be held obstinately. A thing is of faith, indirectly, if the denial of it involves as a consequence something against faith; as for instance if a”
Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 29:16: 29:16 Potter . . . clay: The Lord’s sovereignty is beyond challenge. Scripture does not discourage asking God hard questions, but there is no place for resistance to God’s will (see 10:15; 45:9; 64:8; Rom 9:20). • He didn’t make me: Such claims against God demonstrate a total unwillingness to recognize God’s intimate involvement with every aspect of a person’s life.”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 2:1: We have here a very great struggle about the kingdom of Christ, hell and heaven contesting it; the seat of the war is this earth, where Satan has long had a usurped kingdom and exercised dominion to such a degree that he has been called the prince of the power of the very air we breathe in and the god of the world we live in. He knows very well that, as the Messiah's kingdom rises and gets ground, his falls and loses ground; and therefore, though it will be set up certainly, it shall not be set up tamely. Observe here, I. The mighty opposition that would be given t”

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