Divine Providence: God's Love and Human Freedom

We ask God to involve himself providentially in our lives yet we cherish our freedom to choose and act. Employing both theological reflection and philosophical analysis the author explores how to resolve the interesting and provocative puzzles arising from these seemingly conflicting desires. He inquires what sovereignty means and how sovereigns balance their power and prerogatives with the free responses of their subjects. Since we are physically embodied in a physical world we also need to ask how this is compatible with our being free agents. Providence raises questions about Gods fundamental attributes. The author considers what it means to affirm Gods goodness as logically contingent how being almighty interfaces with Gods self-limitation and the persistent problems that arise from claiming that God foreknows the future. Discussion of these divine properties spills over into the related issues of why God allows or even causes pain and suffering; why if God is all-knowing we need to petition God repeatedly and encounter so many unanswered prayers; and how miracles as ways God acts in the world are possible and knowable. Throughout the author looks at Scripture and attends to how providence deepens our understanding of God and enriches our lives.