Customer Reviews

Mystery of Providence (Puritan Paperbacks)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Flavel lived in England during the second half of the 17th Century. That may seem to disqualify him from speaking to people on the verge of entering the 21st Century - but in actuality I found his little book extremely practical and inspirational. Flavel looks at what he believes to be the Scriptural teaching that God is indeed involved in our everyday lives. This "Providence" of God, His dealing in our lives, is explored from every angle imaginable by the time the book is over. The discussion is not merely theoretical. Flavel lived in difficult political and disease-ridden times. Three times he married only to bury his spouse because of sickness-induced death. He himself was hunted like a criminal, often chased into the woods and forced to seek shelter from the hands of strangers. And yet, Flavel held onto his faith in a loving God, and explains to us how we can see that loving God in the events of every day - even if those events seem harsh and difficult. R.C. Sproul is a modern author who has discussed God's providence in his book entitled, The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work For Good? Sproul examines God's Providence with modern questions in mind and does a good job answering those questions. But Flavel speaks more to the heart of hurting people than Sproul does. The two books complement each other - but if I had to choose just one, I'd take the one written in the crucible of a difficult life of the 17th Century. I'd choose Flavel's.

This "Puritan Paperback" by John Flavel presents the Puritan perspective on the Providence of God in practical terms. The book is really a lengthy meditation and application of Psalm 52:7. which says "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." From this text, Flavel derives his "doctrine" (falling in line with typical Puritan sermon-structure): "It is the duty of the saints, especially in times of straits, to reflect upon the performances of Providence for them in all the states and through all the stages of their lives."

This theme is then unfolded in in a three-part treatise, covering 1. The Evidence of Providence, in which Flavel seeks to prove and demonstrate the reality of God's Providential care over the lives of believers by looking at such things as birth, upbringing, conversion, employment, family affairs, preservation from evil, and sanctification; 2. Meditation on the Providence of God, where the author shows that it is our duty to meditate on Providence, directs in how to do this, and then covers ten advantage to gained from this practice; and 3. Application of the Doctrine of Providence, in which the practical implications of the doctrine are considered and the problems and questions arising in peoples minds are answered.

I personally found the first half of the book to be a little more laborious than the latter half. From about chapter eight onwards, the book was full of good and clear instruction. Flavel differs from many other Puritan authors I have read. He is not as witty and colorful as Thomas Brooks, as practical as Thomas Manton, as astute as Stephen Charnock, or as experiential as John Owen - but he has merits to commend him. He lived a difficult life in which he knew first hand how to rely on God's sovereignty in his life, and his work cultivates a greater awareness of God's mercy, trust in God's wisdom, and resignation to God's will in one's life. I would recommend it.

I wish I had read this in high school or college but then again, God's providence was at work with the timing such that I could really appreciate this book. Have you been discouraged? You might not even know it but surely there are times when you feel like your prayers won't be answered. This is a book about meeting God and getting to know Him. They seem to be written as a series of sermons on this one topic. This is not complicated writing but it isn't modern. Compared to some contemporary writing on the same topic, this book is profound and hit me over and over with THE WORD OF GOD: not just one or two per chapter but over and over and over again. Isn't that what we need? The refreshing fountain of life. It also encourages you to journal, as a testimony to yourself and to future generations of God's goodness. I thought of all the people I know who have suffered and yet have shared a wonderful testimony about "the peace that passes understanding." I'm certainly glad that they shared that testimony. Isn't it good to know that you have testimonies to share too if you but look and meditate? This was loaned to me by an older woman in the faith whom I greatly respect (a comfort to her when her daughter had cancer) and I promptly bought multiple copies. (She also loaned me Elisabeth Elliot's tape series on suffering, which is also good.) I think this should be required reading. What a help to the charge to "be transformed by the renewing of your minds." I cannot speak highly enough about this book. I plan to reread it every year or so to be reminded of the mighty hand of Providence: a great comfort in these last days.

As it says on the back cover the purpose of this work is to, "persuade Christians of the excellency of observing and meditating upon [Providence]". It is especially important to keep in mind the difficulties that would have attended Flavel and his congregants in 1678, when this work was first published. 16 years earlier Flavel was one of the ministers booted out of his congregation in the Great Ejection of 1662. Flavel knew heartache. Yet, Flavel also knew a sovereign God. It is the workings of this Sovereign God in the midst of such heartache that he offers this work.

If you like history you will probably like the first part of this work. Flavel gives very few points of application, yet he tells numerous stories to give us evidence of Providence. This covers a little over the first 100 pages. Then, our author gives what appears to be the main body of this work; encouragement to adhere to our duty of meditating on Providence. Finally, about two-thirds of the way through the book, Flavel will appease our microwave culture and by giving numerous points of application.

What I Liked:

Many people tend to like the second and third section the best. I love to hear stories and study history. Therefore, I tend to like the first section a little more. I do appreciate Flavel's simplicity in building his argument. He does not take us through a ton of loops to overwhelm us with evidence of Providence and then exhort us to respond. He does it simply, I appreciate that. Even though the book is not filled with a ton of new information, it is so overwhelming with examples that it causes you to stop and think. That appears to be one of Flavel's primary goals; to get us to stop and smell the beautiful garden that God has planted before our eyes. He succeeds.

What I Disliked:

My personality is not the type that enjoys sniffing at roses. If the roses are quickly changing and offering new sensory material for me to take in, then maybe I could hack it. But to spend an hour admiring the intricacies of a bed of very similar roses would, frankly, bore me. At times in reading this work I felt bored. I felt like screaming, "I get it". Move on to something new John. This, however, is probably less the authors fault and more mine. Would this book have better served us had it been a little shorter and more pointed? I am not certain. Is it better to be overwhelmed by the evidence of Providence or is it better to be stimulated to such a point that it teases your appetite and causes you to taste and see that the Lord is good? We probably need both.

Should You Buy It?

Probably. This is not like a Bruised Reed where I will, like a puppy begging for bacon, urge you to read it. Nevertheless, it is an excellent book to read. I am going to probably give it a 3 out of 5 stars but it probably deserves better. If you like smelling the roses then you will love it. If you are like me and would rather take a quick glance and then move on to another bed of roses, then you probably need to read it as well. We could use a little slowing down.

Simply put: this is great, classic Christian devotional reading. A wonderful companion on the journey of life. The insights stick with you long after reading this and other Puritan classic works.

The wisdom of John Flavel is timeless. And he writes in such a simple and clear manner. But this is not a book to read fast. It is a book to read one paragraph at a time and meditate upon. Each sentence says volumns. The truth sets you free and once you see truth, you can't unsee it, as someone once said.
This book is very comforting and assuring in one's faith. I love the Puritan writers, compared to some of the "fluff" of modern writers.
It's the difference of eating "Cocoa Puffs" and eating steak. Why not go to the full meal and be fed.
If you like A. W. Pink, you should know that this was 2nd. in his list of favorites. Flavel's other book "The Fountain of Life Opened Up" was his 1st.
Loved it, Mary Holland

Flavel's book is an excellent meditation on the important doctrine of the providence of God. He convincingly demonstrates that God sovereignly cares for his flock in all areas of life and encourages the Lord's people to bear dutifully up under both comfortable and uncomfortable providences of God. God is always working for our good and Flavel's work is a helpful reminder to this fact. All Christians would do well to read this small book.