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CM-029 - WCF 5.4: Not Bare Permission
Westminster Confession of Faith 5.4
“The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God manifest themselves so completely in his providence that it extends even to the first fall and all other sins of angels and men—not by a bare permission, but by a permission which has joined with it a most wise and powerful limiting, and otherwise ordering and governing of them in a varied administration, for his own holy purposes. However, the sinfulness comes from the creatures alone and not from God, who, because he is most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.”
Episode Summary
Does God merely allow sin—or does He still govern history when evil is truly present?
In this episode of Confessional Moments, we reflect on Westminster Confession of Faith 5.4 and its careful, biblical teaching on God’s providence in relation to sin. Rejecting the idea that God “steps back,” the Confession teaches that God remains actively sovereign—limiting, directing, and governing even sinful actions—without ever becoming the author or approver of sin.
Drawing from Isaiah 10:5–7, the story of Joseph, and insights from R.C. Sproul and John Calvin, Pastor Tim addresses ancient and modern errors that portray God as distant or passive, and offers steady pastoral encouragement to trust God’s holy purposes even in difficult providences.
Scripture Readings (ESV)
Resources Mentioned
About the Host
Pastor Tim is the pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Guam and has served in pastoral ministry since 2010. Trinity Presbyterian Church was planted in 2015 and is committed to proclaiming Christ through the faithful preaching of God’s Word and the teaching of the Reformed faith.
Visit the church: www.trinitychurchguam.org
Confessional Moments is a short-form devotional podcast designed to anchor hearts in Reformed truth by walking through the Westminster Confession of Faith—one paragraph at a time.
Next episode: Westminster Confession of Faith 5.5 — God’s providence toward His children.
View all episodes
By confessionalmomentsWestminster Confession of Faith 5.4
“The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God manifest themselves so completely in his providence that it extends even to the first fall and all other sins of angels and men—not by a bare permission, but by a permission which has joined with it a most wise and powerful limiting, and otherwise ordering and governing of them in a varied administration, for his own holy purposes. However, the sinfulness comes from the creatures alone and not from God, who, because he is most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.”
Episode Summary
Does God merely allow sin—or does He still govern history when evil is truly present?
In this episode of Confessional Moments, we reflect on Westminster Confession of Faith 5.4 and its careful, biblical teaching on God’s providence in relation to sin. Rejecting the idea that God “steps back,” the Confession teaches that God remains actively sovereign—limiting, directing, and governing even sinful actions—without ever becoming the author or approver of sin.
Drawing from Isaiah 10:5–7, the story of Joseph, and insights from R.C. Sproul and John Calvin, Pastor Tim addresses ancient and modern errors that portray God as distant or passive, and offers steady pastoral encouragement to trust God’s holy purposes even in difficult providences.
Scripture Readings (ESV)
Resources Mentioned
About the Host
Pastor Tim is the pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Guam and has served in pastoral ministry since 2010. Trinity Presbyterian Church was planted in 2015 and is committed to proclaiming Christ through the faithful preaching of God’s Word and the teaching of the Reformed faith.
Visit the church: www.trinitychurchguam.org
Confessional Moments is a short-form devotional podcast designed to anchor hearts in Reformed truth by walking through the Westminster Confession of Faith—one paragraph at a time.
Next episode: Westminster Confession of Faith 5.5 — God’s providence toward His children.