« Ch. XII. Q. 75. Order of Mediate Creation | Main | Ch. XII. Q. 77. Evil »
August 09, 2005
Ch. XII. Q. 76. Divine Providence
THE method of divine providence in directing the course of nature and of human history is twofold: (a) by an order of casual sequences which are described, so far as we can ascertain them, as the "laws of nature"; (b) by a rational ministry of angels and men, to whom God has given finite freedom and a limited power over nature.1
2. There is a certain uniformity of nature, which arises from the law that the same unhindered causes produce the same effects. But the coming in of new causes, of factors, necessarily modifies the effects which would otherwise appear. Yet we must assume that no such intervention will be either permitted or caused by God which would either nullify the existing order or involve a breach of continuity in the progress of the divine world-drama.2
3. What would constitute such a breach of continuity cannot be determined from a purely physical or natualistic standpoint. The divine plan alone affords a proper basis of judgment;3 and historical evidence shows that this plan requires for its progressive fulfilment certain epoch-making shiftings of scenery which we call miracles, the most significant of which are connected with the entrance of very God into human history and His resurrection in our nature from the dead.4
4. Miracles constitute special signs of God's transcendent working and of His purpose, but all visible phenomena are alike manifestations of divine activity and immanence. The whole visible order is a divine revelation, and its teaching affords the larger context of the more articulate signs of supernatural revelation.5
5. The divine plan provides that men shall have a real, although limited, sovereignty over nature.6 They cannot alter or reverse natural factors, but they are enabled to ascertain their working, and by intelligent manipulation to utilize them for their own ends. God's purpose is that they shall do this in such wise as to advance His glory and their own spiritual development after His likeness. To this end He enlightens and aids them by supernatural revelation and grace; and their prayers, when rightly made, become effectual, although moral, factors in their participation in divine sovereignty.7
6. The angels are also described in Scripture as exercising a certain power in the visible order.8 According to an ancient opinion, their functions in this direction are temporary, being intended to give way to the fuller control which men will exercise when they assume their destined place in the transfigured world to come.
1 On providence at large, Creation, ch. iii; St. Thomas, I. ciii-cv; Petavius, de Dogmatibus,Tome I., lib. viii. chh. I-5 (historical and patristic); Rich. Hooker, Eccles. Polity, Bk. I.; A.B. Bruce, Providential Order of the World; J.O. Dykes, Divine Worker, chh. xi-xiii; the Encyclopedias, q.v. Cf. Q. 53, in Vol. 1.
2 On uniformity, Baldwin, Dic. of Philos., q.v. (3), (4); St. Thomas, I. cv. 6; F.W. Temple, Relation between Religion and Science, Lee. i; J.B.Mozley, Miracles, Lees. ii-iii.
3 On Continuity, Evolution, pp. 162-170; Bp. Gore, Incarnation, Lee. ii.; A.M. Fairbairn, Philos. of the Christ. Religion, Bk. I., ch. i.; Hatstings. Encyc. of Relig., q.v. (historical).
4 On miracles, cf. Qq. 2-4, in Vol. I; Introd., ch. ii. Also R.C. Trench, Notes on the Miracles of our Lord, Prelim. Essay; F.W. Temple, Iec. vii; J. Wendland, Miracles and Christianity; W. Lock and others, Miracles, Papers . . . contrib. to the Guardian; Chas. Gore, Incarnation, Lees. ii-iii.
5 Introd.,ch. ii. 6; J.R. Illingworth, Divine Immanence, ch. ii., esp. pp. 41 et seq.
6 Gen. i. 28. Creation, ch. iii. 4-5; A.J. Mason, Faith of the Gospel, ch. iii. 9.
7 On prayer, Creation pp. 88-90; St. Thomas, II. II. Ixxxv; H.P. Liddon, Some Elements, pp. 184-190; Chas. Gore. in Oxford House Papers, 2d; Series, vi. Gen. xxxii. 27; Jerem. xxxiii. 3; St. Matt. vii 7-11; xviii. 19-20; xxi. 22; St. Luke xi. 5-13; St. John xv. 7; xvi. 23; St. James v. 16; I St. John v. 15.
8"O.D. Watkins, Divine Providence, ch. vii; J.E. Hull, The Holy Angels, chh. i, x; J.H. Newman, Paroch. Sermons, Vol. II., Serm. xxix. Cf. Acts xii. 7-10; Revel. vii. 1-3; viii. 5-12; xvi. 1-14.
Posted by AKMA at August 9, 2005 09:23 PM