Providence occurs because God cares about the universe and everyone in it. God’s activity throughout history in providing for the needs of human beings, especially those who follow Him in faith. William Graham MacDonald observes that providence is… Or is she possessed of secret doubts fed by daily events? Can she still speak of God’s rule over all things, of His holy presence in this world? Can she yet proclaim confidently His unlimited control over the world and life-war and peace, East and West, pagans … and Jews? Dare she still, with eyes open to the facts of life-no less than those who from the facts conclude an imperative atheism-still confess her old confession? ( The Providence of God - Chapter 1 - 'The Crisis of the Providence Doctrine in Our Century')Ĭomment: Berkouwer's question should challenge all of God's children (Jn 1:11,12,13) - Do we really believe and have firm, unshakeable confidence in the great doctrine of divine providence? May we study the Scriptures diligently for the answer (Ro 10:17- note) and as we do, may the Spirit lead us into all truth (Jn 16:13) regarding the Providence of God. But the question forces itself far more directly and disturbingly upon us in times of all-embracing crisis… These are times in which the Church of Christ must ask herself whether she still has the courage, in profound and unshakable faith, in boundless confidence, to proclaim the Providence of God. The lot of man in sickness, suffering, and death has always raised questions about God’s Providence. Even in eras of peace and quiet, when man still had confidence in the inevitable gradual improvement of life, there were burning questions to disturb the honest mind. This does not mean that in fairer days the Providence of God was never doubted or denied. Can all this, all this that fills men’s hearts, fall within the circle of a Divine Providence? Can man with honesty and clear conscience still believe it? It seems as though this confession-God’s rule over all things, more than other confessions-were thrown into the crucible of the times. This total and universal aspect of the Church’s confession ( of divine providence) renders it unacceptable to many as too simple an answer to the urgency of our times.

Louis Berkouwer challenges the modern church's belief in divine providence observing that… In all the setbacks of your life as a believer, Indeed a healthy understanding of God's providences should produce praise from His people, for as John Piper rightly said… The word ' providence' ( pronoia) is found only once in the Bible, a usage which refers to human providence (Acts 24:2), and yet Divine Providence permeates the pages of Holy Writ from Genesis to Revelation! This great truth ought to cause all of God's children to shout 'Hallelujah! Our God Reigns!' Amen. Names of God Reflecting Various Attributes.

John piper providence