The final draft. Enjoy. Reformation Bible College God Gives Permission? The Error of Permissive Will Theological Prolegomena By Thomas Booher Sanford, Florida December, 2011 Where is God when natural disasters occur, taking so many lives? What about when seemingly innocent people are robbed or raped or murdered? Does God permit or plan that? The permissive will of God is a doctrine to which many Reformed theologians adhere. Reformed theologians believe that God is not under any obligation to give man freedom to act apart from His plan, and thus permits sin for His own good purposes. This permission falls within His sovereignty, since God could choose to stop man from sinning, but instead chooses to not restrain the sinfulness of man, leaving man to his own devices. The permissive will exposited by many Reformed theologians, however, undermines rather than affirms God’s sovereignty. It is easier to argue for the permissiv
Thoughts on the Reformed faith, preparation for ministry, and doing all to the glory of God.