The Doctrine Of Miracles

The Doctrine Of Miracles

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 14, 2026 (Donate)

The God of the Bible is a God of miracles. God is all-powerful and able to do all His holy will. Thus, He is in a position to do miracles unlike man or any other created being. Here are some reminders of amazing miracles God did in the Old Testament:

·       Creation Week (Genesis 1:1-2:3)

·       The confusion of languages at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

·       The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25)

·       The Ten Plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7-12)

·       The parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31)

·       The sun standing still in the days of Joshua (Joshua 10:12-14)

·       Elijah calling down fire from Heaven on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:30-39)

·       The crossing of the Jordan River while God stopped the water (Joshua 3:14-17)

·       Jonah swallowed by the great fish prepared by God to swallow Jonah and preserved him alive for three days (Jonah 1:17-2:10)

Moses striking the rock of Horeb at God's command to miraculously provide water (Exodus 17:1-7); Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Here are some reminders of awesome miracles God did in the New Testament:

·       Jesus created all things (John 1:1-3)

·       Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-11)

·       Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41)

·       Jesus feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21)

·       Jesus walking on water showing His authority over nature (Matthew 14:22-33)

·       Jesus healing a man born blind (John 9:1-7)

·       Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after 4 days (John 11:38-44)

·       The resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-10)

·       The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages (Acts 2:1-13)

·       Peter healing the lame man at the Temple (Acts 3:1-10)

·       Paul raising Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:7-12)

God can do miracles directly or He can use people or angels to do His bidding and the power flows through them to do wonderous things. The final example here of Paul raising Eutychus wasn't by Paul’s power but by God’s power through Paul in that instance.

What are Miracles?

Miracles are extraordinary acts of God in which He directly intervenes in His creation for a specific purpose. They aren't random “magic tricks” or contradictions in God’s character, but purposeful events that show God’s authority and display His power. They were also used to accomplish His redemptive plan throughout history.

Miracles don't “break” or “violate” scientific laws in the way skeptics often claim. Instead, scientific laws describe the normal, regular way God sustains the universe.

From a biblical worldview, the laws of nature aren't independent forces that control God; rather, they are descriptions of the consistent patterns God ordinarily uses to govern creation. Since God created and sustains all things, He has authority to act differently whenever He wills. The point is that the laws of nature exist because God upholds them into existence and so God isn't bound by them.

For example, gravity describes how objects normally fall toward earth. But in the Bible, Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:25) was not gravity “ceasing to exist.” Rather, God temporarily acted in an unusual way beyond the ordinary pattern we observe.

Peter miraculously walking on water out to Lord who was walking on water; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Likewise, Christ turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) didn't “destroy the laws of chemistry and biology.” Rather, it was an act of divine power in which God supernaturally produced an immediate result that would ordinarily take time through natural processes.

Science itself depends upon regularity in nature. Scientists can study the world because God normally upholds creation consistently. The Bible teaches this consistency in passages such as Genesis 8:22:

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Because God is faithful, creation usually behaves in predictable ways. (NKJV)

Consider also, that we don’t fully know all the laws of nature in such a precise way that God does. Perhaps some rare miracles are within the realm of the way God uphold the universe, but we simply don’t know those inner workings of the laws of nature like God does.

Nevertheless, miracles are rare precisely because they are extraordinary. If miracles happened constantly, they would no longer be considered miraculous.

In Scripture, miracles often center around key moments: the ministry of Moses, Elijah and Elisha, Christ, and the apostles. Their purpose was frequently to authenticate God’s Word.

Miracles And Worldview

Another thing to keep in mind is that miracles aren't irrational or anti-scientific. Science studies what normally happens under ordinary conditions. Miracles involve God acting beyond those ordinary conditions. Since science cannot test or repeat a unique supernatural event on demand, science is limited in how we can use it when it comes to miracles. That limitation does not disprove miracles; it simply shows that science isn't the ultimate authority over all reality—God is.

The real issue is worldview. If one mistakenly assumes naturalism—the belief that nature is all that exists—then miracles are blindly rejected before evidence is even considered. But because the God of the Bible exists and created the universe, then miracles are not only possible, but entirely reasonable and expected. The Creator who made the laws of nature can work through them normally or act beyond them according to His sovereign will.

Do All Miracles Circumvent The Normal Laws Of Science?

Not at all. Many Christians would argue that some miracles involve extraordinary timing, providence (protection and guidance in human affairs by God), or supernatural knowledge rather than an obvious suspension of ordinary natural processes.

Daniel miraculously seeing the dream of Nebuchadnezzar without being told it; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

In the Bible, not every miracle is necessarily a visible alteration of nature like the Red Sea parting or Lazarus being raised. Some events appear miraculous because of their precision, timing, prophetic fulfillment, or impossibility apart from God’s orchestration.

For example:

• Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams (Genesis 41) involved supernatural knowledge revealed by God about future events.
• Elijah being fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:4-6) used ordinary creatures, yet in an extraordinary and divinely directed way.
• The exact timing of Esther becoming queen before the Jewish people were threatened demonstrates providential timing throughout the book of Esther, even though God is never directly named in the text.
• Jesus telling Peter where to find a coin in a fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:24-27) involved supernatural foreknowledge and precise providence.
• The detailed fulfillment of Messianic prophecies over centuries points to divine knowledge and sovereignty over history.

From this perspective, a miracle doesn't always require the “breaking” of natural laws. Instead, it may involve God sovereignly arranging events, directing circumstances, revealing hidden knowledge, or governing nature in an extraordinarily purposeful way.

Many theologians distinguish between:

• Providence (e.g., Providential acts/miracles): God governing ordinary events continuously.
• Miracle: A special act of God that stands out as extraordinary, whether through direct supernatural intervention or astonishing divine orchestration.

Some miracles are clearly beyond ordinary natural explanation, such as bodily resurrection or instantaneous healing (healings of the leprous, blind, or deaf). Others may operate through natural means but in such an extraordinary way that God’s hand is unmistakable.

Final Remarks

God is sovereign over all creation at all times. Therefore, whether God acts through ordinary means, extraordinary timing, or direct supernatural intervention, all events ultimately depend upon Him. The difference is that miracles are special acts intended to reveal God’s power, truth, mercy, or judgment in a particularly noticeable way.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

* Images generated using ChatGPT

 

 

Doctrine Of The Virgin Birth

Doctrine Of The Virgin Birth

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 13, 2026 (Donate)

The virgin birth of Christ is seen as an extremely important doctrine of Christianity. All branches of Christianity affirm the virgin birth and the Bible speaks directly about it.

Who Was Mary?

Mary was a young Jewish woman from Nazareth in Galilee—though her ancestors were from the tribe of Judah through David the King. She was chosen by God to bear the Messiah, Jesus Christ—who is God the Son in the flesh. Christ is the image of the invisible God and it makes sense why God forbid man to make graven images of God in The Ten Commandments as man would err—and it was God’s prerogative to designate His image on earth through His Son Jesus Christ.

Mary was a descendant of King David; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Mary was engaged to Joseph, who was also a descendant of David through another lineage. Scripture presents Mary as humble and faithful as she was obedient to God. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would miraculously conceive the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary responded in faith:

“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, NKJV).

Mary was not sinless, divine, or an object of worship. In fact, Jesus said that John the Baptist was greater than her in Matthew 11:11. Rather, she was a faithful and favored servant greatly blessed by God because she was chosen to bear the incarnate Christ. In Luke 1:47, Mary herself declared, “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,” showing that she too needed salvation through God.

Prophecies Of A Virgin Birth

The virgin birth was prophesied centuries before Christ was born. The clearest prophecy is Isaiah 7:14:

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (NKJV).

The name “Immanuel” literally means “God with us.” This indicates that the coming child would uniquely be God among men. Matthew directly applied this prophecy to Jesus Christ:

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’” (Matthew 1:22-23, NKJV).

Upon the virgin birth, Mary lay Jesus in a manger; Image requested by Bodie Hodge**

The prophecy connects to the broader messianic expectation throughout the Old Testament that the Messiah would be both truly human and uniquely divine. Genesis 3:15 already hinted that the Deliverer would come from the “seed of the woman,” an unusual expression pointing indirectly toward a miraculous birth.

When Someone Suggests “Young Woman” Instead Of “Virgin” For Isaiah 7:14, How Did John Calvin Refute This Idea?

Some critics argue that the Hebrew word “almah” in Isaiah 7:14 merely means “young woman” instead of “virgin.” Christians, like John Calvin, strongly reject this interpretation. Calvin argued that the prophecy loses its miraculous nature if it merely refers to an ordinary young woman giving birth, since that would not be a “sign” from God. A normal birth would provide nothing extraordinary for Ahaz or future generations.

Calvin also pointed out that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint (aka the LXX), translated the Hebrew word with the Greek word “parthenos,” meaning “virgin.” Matthew, writing under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, likewise affirmed the prophecy referred specifically to a virgin conception.

Furthermore, Calvin noted that the context points beyond Isaiah’s own day toward the coming Messiah. The miraculous conception uniquely fits Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born without an earthly father.

Conception Of Christ And Its Significance

Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit (who is God) in the womb of Mary. It was not a sexual encounter (an idea offensive to Christians) but a reverent occurrence that overshadowed Mary Luke 1:34-35 states:

“Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you’” (NKJV).

The virgin birth is essential to Christian doctrine for several reasons. First, it demonstrates that salvation is entirely the work of God. Christ did not come through ordinary human effort, but through godly intervention.

Second, it preserves the true humanity and deity of Christ. Jesus was fully man because He was born of Mary, yet fully God because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This is called the dual nature of Christ.

Third, the conception and virgin birth relates to Christ’s sinlessness. Jesus did not inherit Adam’s fallen nature in the same way all other humans do—though coming in the likeness of sinful flesh He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5). He was the spotless Lamb of God, perfectly qualified to die for sinners.

Finally, the conception and virgin birth fulfills prophecy and confirms that Jesus is the promised Messiah. The virgin birth was not an isolated miracle, but part of God’s redemptive plan foretold throughout Scripture.

Does Virgin Birth Mean Mary Remained A Virgin Afterwards?

The doctrine of the virgin birth teaches that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and born. Thus, no relations occurred during that time—Joseph and Mary were honorable to God. Scripture does not teach that Mary remained perpetually virgin afterward.

Matthew 1:25 says Joseph “did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son” (NKJV). The natural reading suggests normal marital relations occurred after Jesus’ birth—in keeping with God’s godly commands in Genesis about being fruitful and multiplying. There should be no doubt Mary and Joseph were faithful

The Bible also mentions Jesus’ brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3). Matthew 13:55-56 states:

“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us?” (NKJV).

At least four brothers and more than one sister are mentioned. These are most naturally understood as the biological children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus. The perpetual virginity of Mary became a later church tradition, but it is not explicitly taught in Scripture.

Joseph and Mary busy with their children in a crowded caravan of people heading home from Jerusalem (while Jesus stayed behind at the Temple); Image requested by Bodie Hodge**

How Did The Protoevangelium Of James Influence People To Think Mary Was A Perpetual Virgin?

The Protoevangelium of James was an apocryphal writing from the second century, not part of the inspired 66 books of the Bible. It greatly influenced later traditions about Mary.

This document portrayed Mary as uniquely holy and a perpetual virgin. It claimed Joseph was an elderly widower with children from a previous marriage, attempting to explain away Jesus’ brothers and sisters as step-siblings rather than Mary’s children.

The book also promoted ideas about Mary’s miraculous upbringing and exceptional purity. Though historically influential in some church traditions, the Protoevangelium of James is not Scripture and was never accepted as Scripture by the early church and contains legendary embellishments beyond the biblical record and many errors.

Final Remarks

The virgin birth is a major doctrine of Christianity and is found in many creeds, confessions and Statements of Faith. It proclaims that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, Christ entered the world without sin in fulfillment of prophecy and for the salvation of sinners.

Mary should be honored as the faithful mother of Jesus, yet Scripture always directs worship to Christ alone. The biblical emphasis is not on exalting Mary, but on exalting the Savior she bore: Immanuel, “God with us.”

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

 

The Doctrine Of Man (Male And Female)

The Doctrine Of Man (Male And Female)

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 12, 2026 (Donate)

In our modern culture, the idea of “man” is strangely under attack. You would think people could tell the difference between a man and a woman for instance. But today, that idea comes under odd scrutiny. The fact is that when God made man, He made them male and female.

When we start with God, things make sense. But many in our secularized culture aren’t anchored to God’s Word and so, they are easily deceived into thinking strange things about man—questioning simple concepts of male and female for instance.

Boys will be boys! Photo by Bodie Hodge

But consider other questions like, “does man have value?”, “what we are?”, and “where did we come from?” The secular teaching is that man has no intrinsic value (we’re just random chemicals), man is just an evolved animal, and that we came from pond scum millions of years ago. Of course, God disagrees with all of this.  

Let’s evaluate a little more about the doctrine of man. Just to clarify, “man” can denote a male or it could be mankind which included both male and female. In speaking of the doctrine of man, it means men and women collectively going back to the first man and woman (Adam and Eve).

What Day Was Man Created?

According to the Genesis, mankind was created on Day 6 of Creation Week. Genesis 1 records that God created the land animals first and then created man as the climax of His earthly creation. Genesis 1:26-27 (NKJV) says:

“And God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 1:31 declares that everything God had made was “very good,” which included the first man and woman.

Adam was created first, and Eve was later created as his wife during that same 6^th day according to Genesis 1-2. Unlike evolution, which teaches man gradually arose from lower life forms over millions of years, the Bible teaches that man was specially and directly created by God fully human from the beginning. God was intimately involved in man’s creation.

From What Was Man And Woman Made?

The Bible teaches that Adam was formed from the dust of the ground. Genesis 2:7 (NKJV) states:

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

This shows both the humble physical origin of man and the direct involvement of God in man’s creation. Adam’s body was uniquely fashioned by God from the earth itself.

Adam from the dust of the ground; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Woman was created differently. Eve was made from Adam’s side—thus she was made indirectly from the dust of the earth. Genesis 2:21-22 (NKJV) says:

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”

This shows the unity and relationship between man and woman. Eve was not made from the dust separately, nor from Adam’s head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from his side as a companion suitable for him. Genesis 2:24 establishes the foundation for marriage as one man and one woman becoming “one flesh.”

Where Did Adam And Eve’s Life Come From?

Life ultimately came from God Himself. God alone is the Creator and giver of life. Adam did not evolve into a living being—he became alive because God breathed life into him. Scripture consistently teaches that God is the source of all life.

Acts 17:25 says God, “gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Colossians 1:16 explains that all things were created by and through Christ. The breath of life given to Adam shows that man is entirely dependent on God for existence. Humans are physical creatures made from dust, yet animated and sustained by the life God gives (our spirit/soul). We have an eternal aspect being made in the image of an eternal God, so man does have intrinsic value—an eternal value. 

The Bible also teaches that life continues according to God’s providence. Psalm 104:29-30 says that when God removes breath, creatures die (ultimately due to man's sin in Genesis 3), but when He sends forth His Spirit, they are created. Human life is therefore sacred because it comes from God and bears His image.

How Is Life In The Blood Discussed Biblically?

The Bible repeatedly associates physical life with blood. Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV) states:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood.”

Blood represents life because it sustains the body. In other words, if the blood stops flowing, life ceases in our bodies. 

Circulatory System; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

After the Flood, God reiterated that murder was wrong (which we saw previously with Cain and Abel) and pointed out the importance of human life in Genesis 9:4-6. Since man is made in God’s image, shedding innocent human blood is treated as a serious offense against our Creator—and rightly so!

Blood also became central to the sacrificial system. In the Old Testament, sacrifices pointed forward to Christ. Hebrews 9:22 says, “without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross to provide redemption for sinners. 

Thus, blood is connected both to physical life and spiritual atonement throughout Scripture. It was like this from the point of the first sin and sacrifice in Genesis 3:21, when God made coats of SKINS for Adam and his wife.

What Does The Bible Mean When It Says Man Was Made In The Image Of God?

Being made in the image of God means mankind uniquely reflects God in ways unlike the animals. Humans possess rational thought, morality, creativity, self-awareness, unique spiritual capacity to commune with God, and the ability to have advanced communication and exercise dominion. Humans, being made in a ruling God's image, were created to represent God’s authority on earth (we rule over it and have dominion).

Genesis 1:26 connects the image of God with dominion over creation. Man was appointed as steward over the earth. Although sin damaged mankind spiritually, the image of God was not destroyed. After the Flood, Genesis 9:6 still says man is made in God’s image.

The image of God does not mean God has a physical human body, because God is spirit (John 4:24). Rather, mankind reflects aspects of God’s character and nature in a finite way. Christians are also being renewed spiritually into the image of Christ according to Colossians 3:10.

What Two Sexes/Genders Did God Make?

The Bible teaches plainly that God created two sexes or genders: male and female. Genesis 1:27 says, “male and female He created them.” Jesus Himself affirmed this in Matthew 19:4 when He said:

“He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female.’”

According to Scripture, sex is not an accident, social invention, or evolutionary adaptation, but part of God’s intentional design from creation. Male and female together reflect God’s created order and complement one another in marriage, family, and society.

I put together a definition for naturally born man and a naturally born woman in keeping with Scripture to deal with misunderstandings about man and woman.[1]

Both men and women equally bear the image of God and possess equal value before Him, though they were created with distinct biological and complementary roles. The Bible presents this distinction as good, purposeful, and foundational to human society from the very beginning. 

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

[1] Bodie Hodge, Definition of Man and Woman, Answers in Genesis, https://answersingenesis.org/about/definition-man-and-woman/.

 

 

 

Good Works, Providence, And Promises: Common Fundamental Doctrines

Good Works, Providence, And Promises: Common Fundamental Doctrines

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 11, 2026 (Donate)

Whole books could be written on each of these doctrinal topics. They are actually quite important but I’m not sure how often they are discussed and explained in our local churches and ministries. Let’s look closer at them and see if we can gain a better understanding of these fundamental doctrines from a biblical viewpoint.  

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Good Works

Good works are actions performed in obedience to God that arise from true faith and love for Christ. A common misconception is that people think that they are “good enough for heaven” if their good works outweigh their “bad” works (e.g., our sins).

But good works are not the cause of salvation but the fruit and evidence of regeneration in Christ. A perfect God expects us to be perfect and have no sins! But we all fall short ever since Adam and Eve sinned. Good works are irrelevant to salvation because it is our sin (e.g., bad works) that still needs to be punished and one sin against a perfect and eternally holy God is still demands a punishment.

Instead, we are saved by faith in Christ’s death and resurrection (his works) and we subsequently do good works because we love Him and He expects us to do good works. These are godly good works.

Helping others; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

In theological discussions, the Protestant position is that sinners are justified by faith alone, yet genuine faith produces holiness and obedience. Out of this obedience, we get godly good works. Godly good works glorify God, and of course they benefit others, but they also show other the reality of our conversion and repentance.

Godly good works proceed from the grace of God working within believers. Fallen mankind cannot produce spiritually acceptable works apart from Christ and the Holy Spirit. Without Christ, they are simply filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Godly good works are performed by believers after salvation and are accepted by God through Christ’s righteousness rather than our own human effort. Consider Ephesians 2:10 and Titus 2:11-14 that show believers are redeemed and sanctified unto good works.

·       For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV)

·       For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14, NKJV)

Providence

Providence is the continual care, preservation, and government of all creation by God. He taught that God not only created the universe but also sustains and directs all events according to His wisdom and holy will. This is still the case, even in a sin-cursed and broken world since Genesis 3. God is giving man a taste of what life is like without His fully blessing and a perfect works due to our sin against Him.

Nevertheless, God’s providence extends to nations, individuals, circumstances, and even events that appear small or “accidental” to human beings. Nothing ultimately escapes God’s oversight.

Providence is God’s wise and powerful ordering and sustaining of all creatures and all actions for His glory and the accomplishment of His purposes. Even sinful being cannot escape God’s willpower. Bear in mind that providence is not fate or chance when we affirm that God actively governs the world while remaining perfectly holy and just.

God’s providence is still worked even through the use of man’s (or Satan’s) will. The Bible teaches that providence includes preservation, concurrence, and government.

·       Preservation means God sustains all things

·       Concurrence means creatures act under God’s sovereign oversight

·       Government means God directs all things toward His ordained end

Providence gives us (believers) confidence during suffering and uncertain times knowing that God rules all things wisely and remains in charge no matter what.

The Promises Of God

The promises of God are divine declarations in Scripture in which God graciously assures His people of blessings, mercy, guidance, forgiveness, eternal life, and future glory. This is not too hard for all all-knowing and all-powerful God! The promises are based in God’s truthfulness and faithfulness. We can be comforted, have hope, as well as be encouraged through trusting the promises of God revealed in His Word.

The promises of God are really blessings that are revealed throughout Scripture. The promises originate from God’s eternal purpose and are certain because God cannot lie or fail. There is a blessing in knowing that God is not going to the change the laws of physics tomorrow! We know this because God promised it in Genesis 8:22.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Keep in mind there are general promises and special covenant promises given to believers. General promises in the Bible are blessings, truths, or assurances God declares broadly to humanity or to all believers. Genesis 8:22 was to all of mankind.

These general promises often reveal something about God’s character, His mercy, His wisdom, His provision, and the general moral code. For example, God promises wisdom to those who ask in faith (James 1:5) and promises that those who seek Him diligently will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). These promises are generally applicable to God’s people as a whole.

Special covenant promises are specific promises God gives within a particular covenant relationship and are often directed to certain people, nations, or even for redemptive purposes. These include promises made to Noah, Abraham, Israel, David, and ultimately the New Covenant in Christ. For example, God promised Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3), and under the New Covenant, God promises forgiveness of sins and a new heart to His redeemed people (Jeremiah 31:31-34). These covenant promises are tied directly to God’s unfolding plan of redemption and are fulfilled according to His covenant faithfulness. Even so, all the promises ultimately center upon Christ and are fulfilled through and by Him.

The promises of God are essential for strengthening our faith. They also help encourage us to persevere in hard times—knowing God has made promises we can rest assured will continue. This really helps us in amid our trials and tribulations. I want to encourage Christians to study, trust, and rest upon God’s promises because they reveal His faithful character and unchanging purposes.

I hope that these brief explanations are sufficient to get you to understand the basic importance of godly good works, providence, and God’s promises.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

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