Before the seventeenth century no one questioned that God was directly involved in all of his creation. However, after a century of religious warfare, European society turned to the "Age of Reason," to the concept that religious doctrines produced quarrels and violence, and that man could find peace and order from an exercise of his own powers of reason. This age we call the "Enlightenment." It was a logical approach to the world, based on the assumption that everything operated by "natural laws" which were perceived by those who were "enlightened" through training and use of their minds. Religious thinkers who subscribed to this viewpoint were called "Deists." They believed that God existed, but that he never interacted with his creation; rather, he instituted natural laws by which the universe operates. Effectively, the Deists removed the nearness (immanence) of God. Those who held this view, and at the same time held to a view of divine inspiration of the Bible, claimed that God's spiritual laws were contained in Scripture as his natural laws were contained in the physical realm. One applied the same mental exercise to the Bible as to nature to learn God's will for man. Man was able, unaided by God's direct, supernatural action, to do what was required to comply with God's law and be saved.

The whole of Christian history to that point presents a radically different view, one that saw God as directly involved with his creation, giving life both spiritually and physically, and leading, protecting, enabling, justifying, sanctifying, disciplining, and graciously saving his people. The church then believed that without such direct help, man could not live so as to please God and be saved. The Christian world envisioned a God who was both over his creation (transcendent) and involved directly with his creation (immanent).

The Scriptures support the traditional Christian concept rather than the Enlightenment view. From the very beginning we find God changing hearts, drawing people, calling people, and carrying out his purpose and plan. Paul claimed that God works all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph. 1:11) and causes all things to work together for good in the lives of those who love him and whom he has called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). Job learned first from Elihu and then from God himself that God controls every drop of rain that falls, every breeze that blows, every snowflake, and every detail of life (Job chapters 32-42). The Psalmist asserts again and again that "The Lord reigns" (Ps. 93:1, 96:10, 97:1, 99:1). Isaiah contrasted the true God with the false gods of Babylon by asserting that the Lord makes known the end from the beginning, makes his purpose stand, does what he pleases, brings about what he has said, and does what he has planned (Isa. 46:8-11).

In Paul's sermon in Athens he described God as the one in whom we live and move and have our being, as the one who gives life and breath and all things to men, who determines where each will live and when he lives, who is not far from us (Acts 17:22-28). Jesus comforts his disciples by telling them that even the hairs of their heads are numbered, and not one sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of God. His point is that we are of much greater value than sparrows; thus, God will certainly be more involved in protecting us than the birds, and if he goes to the trouble of numbering the hairs of our heads, he will much more be interested in our welfare (Matt. 10:28-31)

Understanding that God is in control of the world and that he is personally involved in our lives should be a source of much comfort and hope to all of us. Because God is sovereign, because he is on the throne ruling his universe, because he is directly involved in the lives of his beloved children, we do not need to be afraid.

(For more information on this important subject, request Engedi tapes on "The Doctrines of Grace" and "Christ Our Comfort.")