The classic story which illustrates this of course is that of Joseph encapsulated in his statement to his brothers who had sold him into slavery: “You intended to harm me, But God intended it for good” (Gn. We see this truth being expressed, for example, in Prov 16:4: “The Lord works out everything for his own ends-even the wicked for a day of disaster.” This means that the affairs and plans of men are known to him and will be used by him to serve his sovereign purpose.

He sovereignly rules over all while being God-in-relationship. How Might Non-Risk Providence Be Construed?įor the no-risk conception of providence as classically understood, the belief is that God, who is infinite, outside space and time and so not subject to the limitations we experience, is also personally and intimately involved in space and time with the creatures he has made. Question: What advantage comes from acknowledging God’s creation and providence?Īnswer: We learn that we are to be patient in adversity, grateful in the midst of blessing, and trust our gracious God and Father for the future, assured that no creature can separate us from his love, since all creatures are so completely in his hand, that without his will they cannot move. Question: What do you understand by the providence of God?Īnswer: The almighty and ever-present power of God whereby he still upholds, as it were by his own hand, heaven and earth together with all creatures, and rules in such a way that leaves and grass, and rain and drought, fruitful and unfruitful years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty and everything else come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand.

What Is Providence and Why Is It Important?īoth the definition and the pastoral entailments of the classic doctrine of providence are set out in the Heidelberg Catechism (1563): Here are just a few sample texts which affirm God’s absolute rule, which is accounted for by a no-risk view of providence: the entire universe (Ps 103:19 Rom 8:28 Eph 1:11), all of nature (Ps 135:6–7 Matt 5:45 6:25–30), angels and even Satan (Ps 103:20–21 Job 1:12), all of the nations (Ps 47:7–9 Dan 2:20–21 4:34–35), every human person and his/her choices (Exod 3:21 12:26–36 1 Sam 2:6–8 Ezra 7:27 Gal 1:15–16), every animal and its choices (Ps 104:21–30 1 Kgs 17:4–6), all events that appear to be “accidental” (Prov 16:33 Jon 1:7 Luke 12:6), all the sinful acts of man and Satan (Gen 45:5 50:20 2 Sam 24:1 1 Chr 21:1). I want to show that it is a no-risk view of providence which alone retains the integrity of the Christian faith in terms of its internal coherence and the comprehensive respecting of the biblical data regarding God’s sovereignty. Dabney’s answer to show him that the reverse was true-it energized believers! Major Nelson was under the misapprehension that the doctrine would lead to idle thinking and idle action (both, interestingly, denied by the Stoics) and it took Dr. This account reveals two things about the doctrine of “Special Providence.” First, how common a view it was at that time (although not necessarily in such an Augustinian form) and second, how misunderstood it was then, as now, as being a Christianised version of Stoic fate. Dabney promptly replied: “Why Major, you do not understand the doctrine of ‘Special Providence.’” I believe it and teach it with all of my heart but I look upon the trees and that stone wall as a very “special Providence” for the men at this time and I am simply acting on the doctrine when I direct them to avail themselves of these “ Special providences.” Major Nelson was convinced and accepted the doctrine of “Special Providence” as Dr.

Dabney and discussed with him his doctrine of “Special Providence,” and when on one occasion he heard him directing his men who were under heavy fire to shield themselves as far as possible behind trees and a convenient stone wall he rode up to him and with a graceful military salute said, “Major Dabney, every shot and shell and minnie strikes just where the Lord permits. And you must excuse me, sir, for expressing my surprise that you are directing your men to shelter behind trees and a stone wall and to put such things between themselves and Special Providence.” But Dr. The men used to say of their soldier-preacher, “He does not mind it any more than we do.” The gallant Major Nelson frequently met Dr. Robert Lewis Dabney:ĭr Dabney rode with General Jackson into the very thickest of the fight, on many a hard fought field. Here is part of an account of an incident involving General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s chaplain, the Confederate officer, Dr.

Providence risk of rain