2 of 2 ... How Does God Work in the World? 'excerpts' from Review: Understanding Theology (2012)

Bible Readers, Christians, Saints of God, & Bible Scholars I hope that you will study - examine these Scriptures for yourself.


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I am sharing an 'excerpt' from a Christian Book that I reviewed in the winter of 2012. Now understand that I have no Theology/Seminary teaching/training, so please examine the Scriptures.

1. God sovereignly rules & controls HIS creation (Psalm/Tehillim 47; Daniel 4:17), the doctrine of divine governance or guidance.

2. God preserves in existence what HE has called into existence (Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3), the doctrine of preservation.

3. God works through HIS creation in order to carry out HIS plans: the doctrine of concurrence (God works in harmony, cooperation, or agreement with creation). HE controls the weather, & through it, HE provides rain that then nourishes vegetation, animals, & people (Psalm/Tehillim 135:7; 104:14; 147:8-18; Matthew 5:45). HE also works through people & events in history (Daniel 2:21; Jonah 1:15; 2:23; Acts 4:27-28; 17:26).

How does God govern the World? To what extent does HE control people & the events of history?

Two classical theological systems need to be introduced at this point: Calvinism & Arminianism.

Calvinists believe God meticulously control HIS creation down to the details. Arminians believe that God controls in a more general way that allows for genuine human free will.

Calvinism views centers on the scriptural portrait of God as all-powerful, reigning over everything, doing "whatever pleases HIM' (Psalm/Tehillim 135:6). The apostle Paul says HE "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of HIS will" (Ephesians 1:11). Thus God, who is holy & is never responsible for evil, nevertheless is in control of "accidents" (Job 1:21; 42:11), "catastrophes (Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6), controlling & working through evil & sin for HIS purposes (Genesis/Bereshith 50:20; Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; Romans 9:17 & hardening of Pharaoh's heart; I Samuel 16:14; Proverbs/Mishle 16:4; Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6).

Arminianism emphasizes the many biblical commands to trust (Psalm/Tehillim 115:9-11; Proverbs/Mishle 3:5; Isaiah 26:4), love (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37), & obey God (Deuteronomy 6:24-25; 9:23; John 14:15,21,23), along with plentiful warnings of judgment for those who do not (Leviticus 26:14-39; II Thessalonians 1:8).

Arminian theology stresses that evil & sin find their source in humans & angels who have freely chosen to rebel against God. HE allows sin, but HE does not cause or use sin.


Unconditional Election

Calvinists, who believe in unconditional election.

This is why God could say of Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5).

Jesus said to HIS disciples, "You did not choose me, but I chose you & appointed you so that you might go & bear fruit."

The apostle Paul argues that God has the right to make HIS choices: "It does not therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Romans 9:16). Probably the strongest biblical support for unconditional election comes from Romans 9:1-24.

I reviewed this book in the winter of 2012, & published it at my blogs. Bethany or Chosen Publishing sent me this book to review.

Darly Aaron (author of 'Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day'), earned his MA at the University of Texas-Dallas, his ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary, & his PhD at the Graduate Theological Foundation. He spent fourteen years in pastoral ministry & now teaches at Northwestern College, where he is Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies.

1 of 2 ... KJV: Elijah

Elijah . I Kings . II Kings . Luke 4 . James 5:17 . Luke 9 . Tishbite

The next topic is not about Elijah, but an 'excerpt' from a Christian Book I reviewed in 2012 about 'How Does God Work in the World?' Examine the Scriptures for yourself.

Elijah (my God is Jehovah,the Tishbite, predicts a great drought (I Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25; James 5:17).



Miraculously fed (I Kings 17:5; 19:5).

Calls down fire from Heaven (II Kings 1:10; Luke 9:54).

Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible

2013 .. A Promise Kept ... 10/13/2013 'Sunday School Lesson'

Sarai/Sarah . Issac - promise . Haran . Hagar . Ishmael . Pray for all that we may lead a peaceable life . Pray for Christian Arabs . Canaan . Abraham . Kirjath-arba . Heth . Genesis/Bereshith . Isaiah 51 . Sunday School Lesson

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7 (Devotional Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6; Background Scripture: Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7). In order to gain a good understanding of this lesson, you will need to read/study the Daily Home Bible Readings that go with this lesson at the end of this article. ... My study came from two different KJV Bibles (one of them from around 1915).

Sarah (princess)

Issac, promise child

Haran, town of Padan-aram (field of Aram), country of Mesopotamia. Aram, country northeast of Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now), usually called Syria.

Hagar (flight), mother of Ishmael

Ishmael (God hears), son of Abraham

Kirjath-arba (city of Baal)

Heth, father of Hittities (early dwellers in Asia Minor (Turkey), Syria & parts of Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now).


Genesis 17:15-17 ... Circumcision instituted. Issac with a numerous issue is promised. Sarai her name is changed, & she is blessed. Issac is promised.

Genesis 18:9-15 ... Sarah reproved. Sarah is reproved for laughing at the strange promise.

Genesis 21:1-7 ... Issac is born. He is circumcision. Sarah's joy.

Isaiah 51:1-6 ... The righteous exhorted, after the pattern of Abraham, to trust in Christ: certainity of his salvation.

Genesis 18:9-15

Verse 9 ... Industrial Employments & Products; Human Abodes; Tents, Used by Abraham & the Hebrews.

Verses 10,14 ... Miracles; Miracles Considered; Miracles Foretold.

Verses 11,12,13,15 ... The Family; Parents & Children; Barreness, Miraculously Removed

(Genesis 17:115-17; 18; John 1:18; Genesis 18:2; 12; 15; 17; Habakkuk 2:3 ... Reference in Sunday School Book)

Verses 21:1-7

Verses 1,2,5,6,7 ... Miracles; Supernatural Bodily Gifts & Deprivations; Gift or Denial of Children

Verse 3 ... The Family; Parents & Children; Naming at Birth

Verse 4 ... Sacred Rites & Forms; Sacraments, Worship, & Church-Fellowship; Circumcision, Applied by Abraham

(Genesis 21; 17:12; 17:17; 18:16-20; 18:19; 17:9-14; 17:12-13)



Monday - October 7, 2013 - A Childless Wife - Genesis 11:27-32

The generations of Shem & of Terah. Terah goeth from Ur to Haran.


Tuesday - October 8, 2013 - A Beautiful Wife - Genesis 12:10-20

Canaan promised.


Wednesday - October 9, 2013 - A Threatened Wife - Genesis 16:1-6

Sarai, being barren, giveth Hagar to Abram. Hagar fleeth from her mistress.


Thursday - October 10, 2013 - The Promise of a Covenant - Genesis 17:18-22

Issac is promised.


Friday - October 11, 2013 - Dispelling the Competition - Genesis 21:8-14

Sarah's joy. Hagar & Ishmael are cast forth.


Saturday - October 12, 2013 - Mourning a Beloved Wife - Genesis 23:1-6

The age & death of Sarah. The purchase of Machpelah.


Sunday - October 13, 2013 - Bearing a Child of Promise - Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Edition Bible & The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible

2007 ... Abraham & Hagar Have a Son Ishmael ... Sunday School Lesson

One of my 2007 Writings, that is at a couple other another sites....

What season are we in?...And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.

GOD has a plan....GOD Is In Total Control.

God keeps HIS promises. God is All Powerful, HE Knows All Things, Sees ALL Things.

9-23-07 Sunday School Lesson: Genesis 21:9-21

Sharing my sunday school notes (Read Genesis 21:9-21)

9-30-07 Lesson (Next Week) "Issac & Rebekah" Genesis 24:34-40, 42-45, 48

Genesis 21:12-13 "God said unto Abraham....also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed."

I want you to keep your mind on this but this was not in my sunday school book for some reason my mind went to this --- Acts 2:8-11, 16, 20, 38, 41, 42 - The Pentecostal Beginning, Realized. What season are we in? Now I have never been to seminary nor theology school but this is my thought.

Genesis 21:9-21

Verses 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21 --- OTHER Nations, Offshoots of The Abrahamic Stock, Ishmaelites


(My understanding the Arabs are from Ishmael & Abraham)

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian (Genesis 16:1) which she had born unto Abraham(Genesis 16:15)

Abraham was a man of faith. Abraham was a father of two sons at this time by two different women and they were all living in the same dwelling place - home.

Was it and is it possible for two women that have had a child by the same man to dwell - live in peace all under the same roof with one man? Abraham was grievous when he had to send his son, Ishmael away.

Verse 14 -- THE FAMILY, Polygamy (more than one wife or husband at the same time) & Concubinage (to dwell or live together) Practised Trouble From It

And Abraham rose up ...... early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: (John 8:35) and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness in Beer-sheba.

Abraham was kind for he prepared water and bread for Hagar and his son before sending them away from his dwelling place. This is how men should care for their child(children) making preparations for them.

Beer-shea .......... Genesis 21:14 Hagar was relieved there, I Kings 19:3 Elijah flees there

Verses 15, 16 -- THE FAMILY, Family Affections, Parent & Children, Love to Children

And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast her child under the shrubs.

And she went, and sat her down over against him.....a good way off, as it were a bowshoot, for she said, Let me not see the death of the child.....And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

Food for thought -- Was she praying for her child? What mother, what good mother would not have been praying for their child hoping that they would be heard? Was her cry heard?

Verse 17 -- Angels, The Angel of The LORD, OR, OF God, Instances of HIS Appearing

And God heard the voice of the lad; (Exodus 3:7) and the angel of God....called to Hagar....out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

God ask Hagar what aileth thee...God called her by name. God told her not to fear for he had heard the lad -- the lad was her son.

Food for thought -- What was Moses? Do you remember what Moses calling was?

Exodus 3:7 --- The Hebrews, ISRAEL in Egypt, God Remembers HIS Covenant

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.

Verse 18 -- Angels, The ANGEL Of The LORD, OR, OF God, Utters Predictions

Arise,.....lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation (Genesis 21:13)

him - Ishmael

Verse 19 -- MIRACLES, Supernatural Bodily Gifts, Gifts of Bodily Vision

And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad a drink.

Food for thought --- Pray, Pray seriously, Believe, ACTION "ASK, SEEK, KNOCK"

Genesis 25:12-17

Verses 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 --- Descendants of Ishmael

Verse 16 -- 12 princes according to their nations

Verse 17 -- Other Nations, Ishmaelites, Ishmael lived 137 years

Scripture reference taken from KJV, Topical Bible, Crusade Bible Publishers, Mt. Juliet, TN

Book Reviewer, Web Content Provider/Writer/Blogger, Researcher, Sunday School Teacher

Storytelling: Book Events & Shows ... 2004

Presentations . Events . Shows . Storytelling . Event Planner . Booking Events & Shows


This is one of my 2004 writings, when I was the Business Coach Editor/Host/Writer. The original title in 2004 was Book Events and Shows.

(Now, I will share this on September 10, 2013 I did a presentation of short summaries from five books as a Storyteller in a small local sitting. I presented the books and had them on display for others to see them as well. Some that attended even wrote down the names of some of these books to purchase them. Travel issues could be discussed for future events. Now, will I travel out of the USA? Only with the consent of the Holy Spirit.)

Booking events starts with a positive attitude. Work on having a pleasing attitude. Believe in yourself, your products and your services.

Learn to dress like a professional. Clothing - attire that you wear to presentations do not have to be the most expensive, but they should be neat.

Writing Workshops, Digtial Marketing, Basic Blog Setup & Design

Option 1 $50.00 USD Option 2 $100.00 USD Option 3 $600.00 USD

Procedures for booking events:

Make a contact list. Call, write or email your contacts.

Booking events and shows when you walk into a room.

Learn to believe in yourself.

Will Travel: Writing Workshop, eMarketing, Blog Setup/Design

Option 1 $1,000.00 USD Option 2 $2,000.00 USD Option 3 $2,500.00 USD

Be zealous.

Booking starts with you and your attitude. Watch your image and attitude.

Let others know about the events and shows.

Others will want to associate with you, as well as learn from you. You could possibly know something about a particular 'field - area' that others want to learn about.

Quiz: Abram/Abraham & Lot & Paths of Life '10/6/2013 Sunday School Lesson'

Genesis/Bereshith 13:7-18 . Genesis/Bereshith 3:23,24 . Genesis/Bereshith 13:8-18 . Abram/Abraham . Lot . Obedience . Directions - Path . Garden of Eden . Bible Quiz . My Discovery at Sunday School on October 6, 2013 . Faith


Now, first let me start off by saying that I was at a visiting Church that studied the same Scripture lessons that I study from and those I shared on last week, but they brought out some points that was not in my Sunday School Lesson, nor any study guides that I studied from.

And, as I have said before I am not a Seminary/Theology student, but I just want us to think about these things.



Genesis 13:3,6,7-18:

a. Study which direction - path Lot went in.

b. Study which direction - path Abram went in.

c. Does it pay to be obedience and faithful?


Genesis 3:23,24:

Go back and look at the Garden of Eden and study where the Lord God placed the Cherubims.


Now look at what the Lord told Abraham.

Wednesday - October 2, 2013 - Settling in the Land - Genesis 13:8-18 ... Home Daily Bible Reading

October 6, 2013 - Background Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7; 13; 15:7-21; 17:8


Angela Watkins

A Lasting Inheritance ... October 6, 2013 'Sunday School Lesson'

Genesis/Bereshith . Hebrews 11 . Psalm/Tehillim . Joshua 24 . Ur . Chaldeans . Abram . Abraham . Amorites . Terra Sancta - Holy Land . Palestine . Canaan . Euphrates . Kenites . Kenizzites . Kadmonites . Hittites . Perizzites . Rephaims . Canaanites . Girgashites . Jebusites . Sunday School Lesson

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Genesis/Bereshith 15:7-21 (Background Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7; 13; 15:7-21; 17:8 & Devotional Reading: Hebrews 11:8-16).

Ur or Urfa (light), an ancient city of Mesopotamia (Greek name of country between Euphrates & Tigris).

Chaldea, southern province of Babylonia.

Abram (high father).

Abraham (father of a multitude), called by God & sent to Canaan.

Amorites (high landers), Early inhabitants of Palestine. Dispossessed for their iniquities.

Terra Sancta - the Holy Land ... In our time Palestine(Then)/Holy Land(Now).

Palestine (Psalm/Tehillim 105:11), known as 'Canaan' or 'land of Canaan,' country west of Jordan, as opposed to 'to the land of Gilead.'

Canaan (lowland), the country named from Canaan, son of Ham, promised to Abraham.

Euphrates, the largest & most important river of western Asia.

Kenties, connected with Cain. Were a branch of the Midianites & dwelt among the Amalekites. A portion of them followed the Israelites on their entrance into Canaan.

Kenizzites (hunters), who lived to the south of Palestine, were among the descendants of Esau.

Kadmonies (men of the east), a people supposed to have resided by Mount Hermon.

Hittites, in Abraham's time they were at Hebron. Early dwellers in Asia Minor (Turkey), Syria, & parts of Palestine.

Perizzites (villagers), tribe of the ancient Canaanites.

Rephaim, probably the oldest people in Palestine.

Girgashites (dwellers in clay), a tribe of the ancient Canaanites.

Jebusites, small tribe, one of importance, they occupied the mountains of Jerusalem & the neighborhood.


Genesis 15:7-21 ... Canaan is again promised, & confirmed by a sign & a vision.

Verses 7-11

Verse 7 ... The Hebrews; God's Chosen People; Canaan Promised.

Verses 8,9,10,11 ... Mediums & Methods Of Revelation; Signs & Symbolic Acts; Division of Animals.

(Exodus 3; Genesis 12-13 ... Reference Scriptures in Sunday School Book)


Verses 12-16

Verse 12 ... Mediums & Methods Of Revelation; Trances & Visions.

Verse 13 ... The Hebrews; Israel In Egypt; The Sojurn in Egypt Foretold.

Verses 14,16 ... The Hebrews; Israel In Egypt; Deliverance Promised.

Verse 15 ... The Outward Man; The Body In Old Age; Promised.

Verse 16 ... The Hebrews; In The Wilderness; Gradual Expulsion of the Canaanites Promised.

(Genesis 47-50; Genesis 39-47; Genesis 49-50; Exodus 1:9-10; Exodus 1:11; Exodus 7-14; Exodus 12:36; Job 33:15-18; Exodus 12:40-41; Exodus 3:7)


Verses 17-21

Verse 17 ... Miracles; Miracles In Fire; God's Presence Manifested by Fire.

Verse 18 ... The Hebrews; God's Chosen People; Canaan Promised.

Verses 19,20,21 ... Other Nations; The Canaanites; Names of Tribes Inhabiting Canaan.

(Exodus 13:21; Exodus 19:16-20; Psalm/Tehillim 97:2-6; Joel 2:2-3; I Kings 4:21; Genesis 12)

Monday - September 30, 2013 - The Faith of Abraham - Hebrews 11:8-16

Faith Defined & Illustrated (Hebrews 11:1-40) ... Final Exhortations To Perseverance & Warnings Against Indifferent (Hebrews 10:19-12:29)


Tuesday - October 1, 2013 - The Call of Abram - Genesis 12:1-7

Arrival in Canaan (Genesis 12:1-20) ... Abraham (Genesis 12:!-25:18) ... The Beginnings Of Israel (Genesis 12:1-50:26)


Wednesday - October 2, 2013 - Settling in the Land - Genesis 13:8-18

Separation from Lot (Genesis 13:1-18)


Thursday - October 3, 2013 - The Land & the Covenant - Genesis 17:1-8

The Everlasting Covenant (Genesis 17:1-27)


Friday - October 4, 2013 - The Covenant Recounted & Renewed - Joshua 24:1-13

The Covenant at Shechem (Joshua 24:1-28)


Saturday - October 5, 2013 - The Covenant Remembered - Psalm/Tehillim 105:1-11

Psalm of Gratitude: For mercies shown to the Church. ... Psalm of Adoration: Of God's power, majesty, & glory. ... Prophetical, Typical, & Historical Psalm.


Sunday - October 6, 2013 - The Covenant with Abraham - Genesis 15:7-21

The Promised Land (Genesis 15:1-21)


Scripture reference used/taken from: Zondervan Commentary, The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible & KJV Topical Edition Bible