Reflections on the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. 23 Aug 14 began a perhaps unbroken, orderly, and personal journey through my favorite written confession of faith. This will be my personal reflections on this beloved written codification of the Christian Faith which is according to a Baptist flavor.
NEXT-
Chapter 5, Of Divine Providence, paragraph 1: “to the end for 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.”
This line of the confession is a simple reminder of Psalm 135:6:
Whatever the LORD pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.
Carl Sagan (and those of his ilk) often liked to refer to the world as “seemingly a result of intelligence”. What they’re saying is that it’s not a product of intelligence, but that it merely seems like one. As I’ve grown as a man, I’ve spent a lot of time reading, writing, listening and inquiring to others about their ideas/beliefs. I have become acutely aware of man’s ability to formulate his own views and do a great deal of universe alignment to place his opinions under every rock. We really can make every square peg fit into every round hole we want.
This is why I trust the Bible so much. It proves itself written from someone outside of us. It simply could not be a product of 40 men by their own ingenuity. It absolutely shows itself transcendent revealing the hearts of each reader called of God.
God owns the universe. He didn’t purchase it, inherit it, or stumble upon it. He built it like I’m building a pulpit in my garage. What he was doing before he made our galaxy, Mr. Sagan, you’re right, I can’t say. His ownership of this one is something not left to a PH test to prove. He has given his word. In his word he tells me that he rules this universe and all its inhabitants are for his good pleasure. He is good to all. Nothing is out of place. Nothing is rogue.
This confession places men as examiners of their own hearts under the light of eternity. This life is good, but it is to be measured in light of eternity. No matter what you may be going through, if these truths such as what are confirmed here are yours, you can weather any storm.
Some say Christianity is for the weak. I agree, but most people’s problem is that they actually think they’re strong. God is not only strong. He shares his strength with those who love him. Seeing him as sovereign over all is healthy.
Leave a Reply