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Thanks for the reply...I appreciate your comment that the matter concerned is a really deep subject and hence quite controversial and disturbing to some. Never the less...the WCF recognises and affirms that;
The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.
To continue on then with my enquiry.
The following scripture appears in your post...With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. (Job 12:16) ... lets consider some of the implications of that statement.
It seems to me to be primarily a statement concerning ownership, not only that, but it seems to me that it is required (then) that the principle of ownership extends naturally to the means and methods employed, the devices if you will, that the deceiver employes as his tools, by which, he accomplishes his tasks, they being varied and multitudinous in their scope and degree.
It may be argued that the context confines the application to the human arena alone, and to extend it into the angelic realm removes it from the authors sphere of intent.
I contend rather, that the application of this scripture necessarily extends into the angelic realm, and most certainly incorporates Satan, his means and devices, and their application, all being inclusive in the authors sphere of intent. This is confirmed by the most extensive personal dialogue between Satan and the LORD God Almighty recorded in scripture being found in the opening chapters of job.
Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:9-10)
Does not the argument for secondary causes, though applicable pragmatically, not obscure this fundamental ?
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