The word control cannot be found in most modern English translations of the Bible. Control as a verb originated as a term for verification of accounts in Middle English and was derived from Medieval Latin. It appears infrequently in 18th-Century literature but takes on a much greater usage afterward, peaking in the 20th Century. The very concept of God being in control is a modern one.
Ancient pagan theologies held views about God as the cause of everything. These views are called “determinism” by many Christian scholars. Also, some Christian theologians have espoused ideas about God that seem deterministic. Their ideas are conceptually similar to the modern concept of God in control but not exactly the same. Another popular saying, especially in religious circles, is “Everything happens for a reason.” Aristotle advanced the idea; there is no such statement in the Bible. Some cite Ecclesiastes 3, but a careful reading of Solomon’s poem reveals that he said “season” not “reason” as he spoke of a “time” of purposes or activities.
Control is very much a human device. Humans make machines to do things for them while the humans maintain control. We make special effort to control machines that can move, such as cars, ships, and airplanes. We try to control people, especially our children, but that hardly ever works even in the youngest of children. We can train animals but not really control them. We naturally strive to control our own lives, and we violently resent anyone who tries to take over that control.
Thus, it is perhaps natural for us humans to think in terms of being in control, but it is misleading for us to apply our concepts to God and how he works. Because God is omnipotent, he could control all things if that is what he chose to do. But instead of controlling his creation, God gave angels and humans freedom of choice. This freedom makes them far superior to instinct-driven creatures and inanimate things that act only on physical laws. When we consider that God chose to have around him beings with the freedom of choice, we are actually witnessing a far more glorious divine being than one that would create and then control everything.
Is there anything that God cannot do?
The simple answer is, yes. God cannot do anything that he has willed not to do. For this reason, God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone (James 1:13). Furthermore, it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). Every believer knows that God cannot sin. We could go on with more examples, but suffice it to say that to whom God has given freedom, which includes all humans, he cannot control them. Otherwise, he would contradict His will.
In the next Blog, we will consider what God actually does in this world at this time.