Just BECAUSE ..... Part 2

Understanding how things happen is critical to understanding your Bible. In a previous Blog I introduced the idea of causation (big word, mammoth idea!). Let me give you one example of why this is an important concept to grasp. Notice this Bible verse: “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV).   In this one verse we have a primary cause and at least two secondary causes.  The primary cause (God chose) does not render the secondary causes (sanctification and belief) unnecessary.  But the secondary causes do not supersede the primary cause.

Aristotle wrote that "we do not have knowledge of a thing until we have grasped its why, that is to say, its cause."  I believe he was right.  Thomas Aquinas formulated five ways of arguing for the existence of God. His fifth way proving the existence of God is that he observed that everything has a purpose; and end that must have been applied by an intelligent Being.  Thus God created causality!

Aquinas rightly concluded that final causality comes first and works in and through the efficient causes. The efficient causes are subordinate to the final causes inasmuch as they are means to ends. 

Probably one of the most beloved Bible verses for Christians is found in Paul's Letter to Rome: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28–29, ESV).

In the next Blog, I will try to show the law of causation working strenuously through these precious verses.  As Aristotle concluded, until we screen this passage through the lens of causation we won't properly understand it.  Therefore we won't understand God's providence.