The Question of the Doctrine of Providence

Abstract

“What sense might be given to the notion of God's ‘upholding’ of ‘heaven and earth together with all creatures?’ How, if at all, could the idea of God's ‘ruling’ of everything be made intelligible? Can we, and should we, understand unfruitful years, sickness, and poverty—or for that matter, fruitful years, health, and riches—as, in some sense, provided by God? Is patience really the most pertinent advice Christians can give themselves and others when facing adversity? On these and other points, there appears to be a profound dissonance between what the Heidelberg Catechism commends to us and what many of us find ourselves able to understand or willing to affirm.”