Calvyn oor natuurrampe

Severe natural disasters such as the tsunami off Indonesia in 2004 often lead to a demand for theological enlightenment. This article explores how John Calvin’s reasoning in this regard could be a relevant contribution towards deeper insight in the extremely difficult issue of a theodicy. Contrary...

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Main Author: P. C. Potgieter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2006-06-01
Series:Acta Theologica
Online Access:https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2109
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author P. C. Potgieter
author_facet P. C. Potgieter
author_sort P. C. Potgieter
collection DOAJ
description Severe natural disasters such as the tsunami off Indonesia in 2004 often lead to a demand for theological enlightenment. This article explores how John Calvin’s reasoning in this regard could be a relevant contribution towards deeper insight in the extremely difficult issue of a theodicy. Contrary to a popular idea that Calvin adopted an extremely harsh line on providence according to which God becomes responsible for every kind of disaster, it is argued that he maintains a fine balance between the loving grace of our heavenly Father and his righteous judgment over mankind who undermined his intended order of nature by sin. Therefore the faithful should respect both God’s revelation in this regard as we find it in Scripture, and his hidden plan which we will not be able to fathom in this life. Thus they should be pastorally guided to humble patience and perseverance in sincere hope on God’s unquestionable faithfulness.
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spelling doaj-art-13ce112f9bf9466eb6e2f65cbb9e5b852025-02-11T12:13:45ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892006-06-0126110.38140/at.v26i1.2109Calvyn oor natuurrampeP. C. Potgieter0University of the Free State Severe natural disasters such as the tsunami off Indonesia in 2004 often lead to a demand for theological enlightenment. This article explores how John Calvin’s reasoning in this regard could be a relevant contribution towards deeper insight in the extremely difficult issue of a theodicy. Contrary to a popular idea that Calvin adopted an extremely harsh line on providence according to which God becomes responsible for every kind of disaster, it is argued that he maintains a fine balance between the loving grace of our heavenly Father and his righteous judgment over mankind who undermined his intended order of nature by sin. Therefore the faithful should respect both God’s revelation in this regard as we find it in Scripture, and his hidden plan which we will not be able to fathom in this life. Thus they should be pastorally guided to humble patience and perseverance in sincere hope on God’s unquestionable faithfulness. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2109
spellingShingle P. C. Potgieter
Calvyn oor natuurrampe
Acta Theologica
title Calvyn oor natuurrampe
title_full Calvyn oor natuurrampe
title_fullStr Calvyn oor natuurrampe
title_full_unstemmed Calvyn oor natuurrampe
title_short Calvyn oor natuurrampe
title_sort calvyn oor natuurrampe
url https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2109
work_keys_str_mv AT pcpotgieter calvynoornatuurrampe