SOVEREIGNTY.

“A model of providence is an explanatory attempt to correlate divine sovereign control

and governance of the world with the actions of God’s creatures, especially humans.”
(643)

General Sovereignty.
“in creating the world God decided to give humans free will, i.e., libertarian free will.
If humans have such freedom, God cannot control their free actions. Therefore,
‘to the degree to which God gives us freedom, he does not control earthly
affairs.’” (644)
“The key with general sovereignty models is that God does not have specific
purposes for everything that occurs, for how could he actualize such purposes
without often overriding free will. Instead, God has general purposes that he
accomplishes within the overall framework of the room that our freedom leaves
him to maneuver.” (644)

Specific Sovereignty.
“God has foreordained and controls everything that happens so as to always
accomplish his ends.” (647)
“Hence, God exhaustively controls whatever occurs…” (645)
“Fundamentally, specific sovereignty is a logical outgrowth of belief in the divine
decree which is based solely on the counsel of God’s will. God knows everything
that will happen, because he decided in eternity past what would happen.” (645)

Views of General Sovereignty.

Traditional Armenian. (646)
- God deemed it better that humans have libertarian free will than to be
machines, but this means He cannot guarantee our love.
Paradox Indeterminism. (647-8)
& - God is absolutely sovereign over everything.
- Humans have libertarian free will.
- Scripture demands that both of these be held, and though they seem
inconsistent, God knows how they fit together.
Open Theism. (648-9)

Views of Specific Sovereignty.

“Strong Calvinism.” (649-50)
- God’s decree is unconditional, based solely on his will and desires.
- Hard determinism.
- Humans are still morally responsible.
- God decrees everything, including evil.
Paradox Determinism (650-1)
& - God is absolutely sovereign.
- Humans are morally responsible.
- Scripture demands both.
Feinberg’s view. (650-6)
- soft determinism.