12-05-2007, 06:35 PM
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I've never had reason to doubt that extraordinary providence may dispense with means and still produce a result which is in accord with the nature of second causes. This is in fact what occurs in all the miracles recorded in Scripture. The blind man was not healed by ordinary means, but his new found ability was undoubtedly that which is called the power of sight. Quote:
Originally Posted by fredtgreco  More thorny is reconciling WCF 5.2 "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" (the only possible antecedent for "them" must be "all things." (this implies that all things fall out according to the nature of second causes) with:
WCF 5.3: "God, in His ordinary providence, maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them, at His pleasure".
It is very likely that the error contained therein is grammatical, yet sufficient to show that the Confession is not without error (which is the definition of inerrant).
Having said that, I have complete confidence in the Confession as a faithful and true summary of Biblical truth. |
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Yours sincerely, 
"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."
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