Insufficient Cause
The insufficient Cause reservation questions if the cause is sufficient to cause the effect by itself. You might say “If I flip the light switch, then the light will turn on”. This reservation then asks: Is flipping the light switch sufficient to turn on the light? Be careful, this takes thinking! Can flipping the switch be insufficient? What if the power to the house is off? What if the bulb is burned out? What if…while, you get idea. Let’s look at some biblical examples.
In the Story of Jacob, Laban, and Laban’s daughters from Gen. 29, Laban offers to marry his daughter Sarah for seven years of labor. Jacob believes his seven years of labor will allow him to marry Sarah, but is this true? Does something else need to happen also?
The insufficient Cause reservation questions if the cause is sufficient to cause the effect by itself. You might say “If I flip the light switch, then the light will turn on”. This reservation then asks: Is flipping the light switch sufficient to turn on the light? Be careful, this takes thinking! Can flipping the switch be insufficient? What if the power to the house is off? What if the bulb is burned out? What if…while, you get idea. Let’s look at some biblical examples.
In the Story of Jacob, Laban, and Laban’s daughters from Gen. 29, Laban offers to marry his daughter Sarah for seven years of labor. Jacob believes his seven years of labor will allow him to marry Sarah, but is this true? Does something else need to happen also?Unfortunately for Jacob, tradition dictated Laban must marry his eldest daughter first. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying the older daughter Leah. The Jacob works another seven years to take Sarah as a second wife.
Mat 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 
