Orthodox Quote by Michael S. Horton
““The orthodox hold the mean between these extremes, maintaining that the providence of God is so occupied about sin as neither idly to permit it (as the Pelagians think) nor efficiently to produce it (as the Libertines suppose), but efficaciously to order and direct it.”18””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology, 2015
God’s providence guides sin without being passive or overly deterministic, balancing divine control with human responsibility.
In simple terms: God orders sin, not by allowing or causing it directly.
Key Takeaway
Recognize divine guidance alongside human agency.
Themes
theology
free will
divine providence
sin
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
theoretical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- personal decision-making
- ethical debates
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
predestination
moral responsibility
theodicy
Questions to Reflect On
- Does this view preserve human accountability?
- How does it affect moral teaching?
A Different Perspective
The balance may be seen as overly abstract, leaving practical guidance vague.
![“As the pretensions of modernity are unmasked today, it is a good time for us to recover our nerve, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for the hope that is in [us]” (1Pe 3:15). By breaking into our history, sharing our history, and transforming that…” quote by Michael S. Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d20/michael-s-horton-7082_history_as-the-pretensions-of-modernity-are-unma_107863.jpg)
