The Baptist Catechism Question No. 11

Q: How doth God execute His decrees?

A: God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence.

   The God revealed in scripture is not the god of deism. The god of deism simply created the universe, set it into motion, and took a hands-off approach by sitting back and watching his creation unwind. The God revealed in scripture executes His decrees in the works of creation and providence. Not only did God create everything to achieve the purposes of His decrees, but He is also active in upholding and directing His creation to accomplish His decrees. The God of scripture is hands-on and deeply personal. Our theology and worldview should reflect this reality when we engage opposing viewpoints.

Scriptural Basis:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (ESV)   

Before any time existed in which events could occur, God had his eternal decrees. The first act which brought time, space, and matter into existence is recorded in Genesis 1:1. God decided before the foundation of the world to use a physical creation as the stage for His unfolding drama of redemption. Every atom of creation was designed to evidence and bring glory to its Creator. 

   We can assert that God’s decree required this physical creation because it is here. God does not require this creation for his existence in any way; however, He created it as a cup to be filled with the overflow of the grace, mercy, love, righteousness, and glory of the Trinity. Since God’s decrees involve redeeming a fallen creation, the work of creation in the first place becomes necessary. This may sound arbitrary or redundant, but if we truly understand that God had this plan of redemption in mind from before the beginning, then the act of creation becomes a purposeful act of God rather than an arbitrary one. Sometimes, seemingly arbitrary points are meant to prevent one from thinking in an arbitrary way. God began creation with the end in mind. He did not make it up as went. A decree leads to purpose. No decree makes God an improvisational manager of an unruly creation.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3a (ESV)

   God not only executes His decrees through acts of creation, but He also executes them through acts of providence. In this verse from Hebrews, we see that God the Son upholds the universe by the word of His power. This act of upholding is God’s providence. By upholding the entire universe, God ensures that every detail of his decrees are executed without fail. If God ceased His work of providence, the entire universe would collapse and cease to exist. Gravity exists and can be measured because God continually commands it to exist and remain consistent. Flowers bloom because God commands it and works it. The components of your phone are able to function together because God gives the components the properties necessary for operation. 

   God’s providence is not only “passively” sustaining, but it is also “actively” changing and moving things. Another way of saying this is that God’s providence is His sovereignty in action. God’s decree to redeem a people involves the means of millions of events and actions. Providence is the orchestration of all these events and actions by God to accomplish his decrees. “declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'” Isaiah 46:10.

Worldview Challenge:

   The god of the deists was transcendent and above any interaction with creation. The god of pantheism is not transcendent at all; rather, this god is so close to creation that they become one and the same. The biblical God is not guilty of either of these extremes. Through His act of creation, God is understood to be the transcendent Creator who is separate from His creation. Through His acts of providence, God is understood to be immanent and personally active within His creation while maintaining His distinction as Creator. 

   When we are dealing with other worldviews or religions, we must recognize their treatment of transcendence and immanence. Every worldview will have these attributes somewhere in their system. Only the biblical worldview teaches that God is both transcendent and immanent. Any other teaching distorts the gospel. If God is only the Creator and not the sustainer, then He is unable to promise anything. If God is only active without any authority as Creator, then He is impotent. Both creation and providence are necessary to execute His decrees.

Remember: Catechisms should be used as a helpful tool alongside a healthy intake of Holy Scripture. They should never replace God’s Word because their usefulness depends upon their accurate representation of God’s Word. When using these tools, always ground the answers in the scripture references provided.