What is Sovereignty

Over the last couple weeks, I have been asking people to define sovereignty. It is a word many people use, and some use it quite often, but how do people define it? How would you define it? What is the basis for your understanding?

T.J. wrote:

Over the last couple weeks, I have been asking people to define sovereignty. It is a word many people use, and some use it quite often, but how do people define it? How would you define it? What is the basis for your understanding?

I found this on theopedia (which is very useful for stuff like this):

theopedia.com wrote:

The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God's rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the counsel of His own will (see Eph. 1:11). His purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted (see Isa. 46:11); nothing takes Him by surprise. The sovereignty of God is not merely that God has the power and right to govern all things, but that He does so, always and without exception. In other words, God is not merely sovereign de jure (in principle), but sovereign de facto (in practice).

i think this relatively well describes my understanding... but i'm not sure where I get my understanding.
the sovereignty of God never seemed like much of a question to me (I guess I just believed it without articulating it) before I starting attending a reformed seminary... they talk about it a BUNCH... but i'm not sure what I think of their understanding...

i'll keep you posted.... good question... i'm curious to see some other answers...

edit... P.S... here is the link to that quote: http://www.theopedia.com/Sovereignty_of_God

Here's Webster's definition

Quote :

1obsolete : supreme excellence or an example of it
2 a: supreme power especially over a body politic b: freedom from external control : autonomy c: controlling influence
3: one that is sovereign; especially : an autonomous state

I think this nearly sums up what I've always thought of the word, how I use it and how it applies to God.
He is THE supreme power, free of any external control and a controlling influence. God is the ultimate power, creator who is in control of this world.

He is THE supreme power, free of any external control and a controlling influence. God is the ultimate power, creator who is in control of this world.


Would you say "control" is synonymous with "sovereignty"? What does "control" look like and where would you find this idea represented in how God interacts or influences people?

I did not mean to infer that control and sovereignty is synonymous but rather control is a facet of sovereignty as defined by webster and I believe that fits God's sovereignty over his creation.

Quote :

Hebrews 1:3
3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Quote :

Exodus 4:21
21 The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Quote :

Philippians 3:20
20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Quote :

Revelation 16:8-9
8The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

We see here these few verses, First Jesus is sustaining all things right now by his powerful world. God chose to harden pharaohs heart, Jesus is in control of everything and God will be in control of the plagues that will be poured out on an unrepentant world during the tribulation