Topical Encyclopedia
Definition:Concurrence, in theological terms, refers to the cooperative interaction between divine sovereignty and human free will. It is the concept that God, in His omnipotence and omniscience, works through and with human actions and decisions to fulfill His divine purposes. This doctrine maintains that God's will is accomplished without negating human responsibility.
Biblical Basis:The Bible presents numerous instances where divine sovereignty and human actions intersect, illustrating the principle of concurrence. One of the clearest examples is found in the account of Joseph. In
Genesis 50:20 , Joseph tells his brothers, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Here, human intentions and actions are evident, yet God's overarching plan is fulfilled through them.
Another significant example is found in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In
Acts 2:23 , Peter declares, "He was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." This verse highlights the concurrence of God's predetermined plan and human actions, where both divine sovereignty and human responsibility are at play.
Theological Implications:Concurrence upholds the belief that God is actively involved in His creation, guiding and directing events according to His will. It affirms that while humans have the freedom to make choices, these choices are ultimately used by God to achieve His purposes. This doctrine provides comfort to believers, assuring them that God is in control, even in situations where human actions seem to prevail.
The doctrine of concurrence also addresses the problem of evil and suffering. It suggests that while God does not cause evil, He permits it and can use it to bring about a greater good.
Romans 8:28 supports this view: "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."
Philosophical Considerations:The concept of concurrence raises philosophical questions about the nature of free will and divine foreknowledge. How can human actions be genuinely free if God is sovereign over all events? The doctrine of concurrence posits that God's sovereignty and human freedom are not mutually exclusive but are instead complementary. God's foreknowledge does not coerce human decisions; rather, it encompasses them within His divine plan.
Historical Perspectives:Throughout church history, theologians have grappled with the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom. Augustine of Hippo emphasized God's sovereignty, while also acknowledging human responsibility. The Reformers, particularly John Calvin, further developed the doctrine of concurrence, emphasizing God's providential control over all aspects of life.
Practical Application:For believers, the doctrine of concurrence encourages trust in God's providence. It reassures them that their choices and actions, while significant, are part of a larger divine narrative. This understanding fosters a sense of peace and purpose, knowing that God is working through every circumstance to accomplish His will.
In prayer, concurrence invites believers to align their desires with God's purposes, seeking His guidance and wisdom in their decisions. It also encourages a humble acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, leading to a life of obedience and faithfulness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A meeting or coming together; agreement; union; conjunction; combination.
2. (n.) A meeting of minds; agreement in opinion; union in design or act; -- implying joint approbation.
3. (n.) Agreement or consent, implying aid or contribution of power or influence; cooperation.
4. (n.) A common right; coincidence of equal powers; as, a concurrence of jurisdiction in two different courts.
Greek
4795. sugkuria -- chance... chance. From a comparative of sun and kureo (to light or happen; from the base of
kurios);
concurrence, ie Accident -- chance. see GREEK sun. see GREEK kurios.
...5222. hupantesis -- a going to meet
... meeting. From hupantao; an encounter orconcurrence (with eis for infinitive, in
order to fall in with) -- meeting. see GREEK hupantao. see GREEK eis....
Library
And, Therefore, in thisConcurrence of the Sun and Moon...
... Section VI. And, therefore, in thisconcurrence of the sun and moon? And,
therefore, in thisconcurrence of the sun and moon, the...
Counter-Statements of Theodoret.
... Against III.--- The sense of the terms used is misty and obscure. Who needs to be
told that there is no difference between conjunction andconcurrence?...
On Obedience to the Commands of God in General
... The grace and specialconcurrence of God are required for the performance of entire,
true, and sincere obedience, even for that of the inner man, of the...
The Providence of God
... (4.) The destined concession of itsconcurrence, which, on account of the dependence
of a second on the first cause, is a necessaryconcurrence. Secondly....
Whether Anger is a Special Passion?
... Now it happens that an effect is produced by theconcurrence of various causes;
and since every cause remains somewhat in its effect, we may say that, in yet a...
The Second Continental Journey.
... were favored to enter most fully and feelingly into our views, and under a precious
solemnity, a general sentiment of unity andconcurrence spread through the...
On the Providence of God 1
... against creation, which it would do, were it to inhibit or hinder the use of free
will in man, or should deny to man its necessaryconcurrence, or should...
"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our...
... and these are daily called by the gospel to come to this table, which the wisdom
of the Father hath prepared for us, without either our knowledge orconcurrence...
An Argument against those who Say that Matter is Co-Eternal with...
... of these should be withdrawn from the substratum, the whole idea of the body is
dissolved; it would seem to follow that we may suppose theconcurrence of those...
Whether the Matter of Christ's Body Should have Been Taken from a...
... For the first man was made from the "slime of the earth," without theconcurrence
of man or woman: Eve was made of man but not of woman: and other men are made...
Thesaurus
Concurrence (1 Occurrence)... 4. (n.) A common right; coincidence of equal powers; as, a
concurrence of
jurisdiction in two different courts.
...Concurrence (1 Occurrence).
...Consent (34 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Voluntary accordance with, orconcurrence in, what is done or proposed
by another; acquiescence; compliance; approval; permission....
Agreement (341 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) State of agreeing; harmony of opinion, statement, action, or character;
concurrence; concord; conformity; as, a good agreement subsists among the...
Excommunication
... It was the act of the local church, either with (1 Corinthians 5:4) or without
(1 Corinthians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 3John 1:10) theconcurrence of an apostle....
Fortunate (4 Occurrences)
... chance; bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain; presaging happiness;
auspicious; as, a fortunate event; a fortunateconcurrence of circumstances; a...
Transfiguration
... vision. Theconcurrence between them in all the circumstances of the incident
is exact. John seems to allude to it also (John 1:14)....
Pauline
... Yet there was generalconcurrence in certain broad principles, while some of Paul's
own statements enable us to specify his beliefs still more closely....
Convention (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) General agreement orconcurrence; arbitrary custom; usage;
conventionality. 3. (n.) A meeting or an assembly of persons, esp....
Conspiracy (17 Occurrences)
... treason; a plot. 2. (n.) Aconcurrence or general tendency, as of circumstances,
to one event, as if by agreement. 3. (n.) An agreement...
Coincidence (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Exact correspondence in nature, character, result, circumstances, etc.;
concurrence; agreement. Multi-Version Concordance Coincidence (1 Occurrence)....
Resources
If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, why did He create them? | GotQuestions.orgConcurrence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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