When most Christians hear the word sovereignty, they think of God’s absolute control over every detail of the universe. From a sunrise to a sparrow falling, from wars to personal tragedies — it’s all part of His plan, scripted from eternity.
That’s the classical view of sovereignty. It’s well-intentioned, trying to exalt God’s greatness. But here’s the problem: when sovereignty is equated with control, it often distorts how we see God and how we relate to Him.
1. The Classical View: Sovereignty as Control
Classical theism has taught for centuries that:
- God knows the future in exhaustive detail because it’s already fixed.
- Every event, good or bad, falls under His eternal decree.
- Nothing happens unless God has willed it to happen.
On paper, this sounds comforting: “Nothing is outside God’s control.” But think about what this implies:
- Did God script the Holocaust?
- Did He plan every child abuse case?
- Did He want billions of people to be lost?
If sovereignty means micromanaging control, then God looks more like the author of evil than the God revealed in Jesus — the One who weeps, heals, and lays down His life.
2. The Biblical Alternative: Sovereignty as Love
What if sovereignty is not about causing everything, but about redeeming anything?
Paul writes: “God works all things together for good to those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Notice: Paul doesn’t say God causes all things. He says God works with all things.
That’s sovereignty. Not control, but resourcefulness. Not scripting tragedy, but entering it and turning it for good.
John Sanders (an Open Theist theologian) explains:
“God does not control everything, but He is never without control of anything.” (The God Who Risks)
This is sovereignty rooted in love.
3. Why It Matters for Our Relationship With God
If you believe sovereignty = control, your relationship with God often tilts toward fear and suspicion.
- “Why should I pray if the future is already set?”
- “If God planned my suffering, does He really care about me?”
- “If everything is fixed, what’s the point of seeking God’s will?”
But if you see sovereignty = love and resourcefulness, your relationship shifts to trust and intimacy.
- My prayers matter because God genuinely responds.
- My choices matter because the future is partly open.
- God’s sovereignty is not diminished by human freedom — it’s magnified, because He is wise enough to handle every possibility.
✅ Conclusion
Sovereignty as control makes God look like a dictator, micromanaging every moment of history. Sovereignty as love shows us a Father who is wise enough to handle a world of freedom, risk, and even rebellion.
That’s the God of the Bible. The God who doesn’t cause every evil, but who is never without options. The One who redeems chaos into His purposes. The God whose sovereignty is not about control but about love.
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