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The concept of Providence in Christianity

Providence, as interpreted in Christianity, encompasses God's ongoing involvement and governance in the world, ensuring national prosperity and moral order. It signifies God's protective care and guidance, which may include hardship for a greater purpose. This concept illustrates divine foresight and support across various denominations, including Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Catholicism, each recognizing God's role in overseeing events and guiding creation. Providence represents a divine plan that entails both order and purpose, highlighting God's essential attributes and care for humanity.

Synonyms: Divine guidance, Foresight, Care, Protection, Godliness, Fate, Destiny, Fortune, Supervision, Divine intervention, Prudence, Providential care, Luck, Chance.

In Finnish: Providence; In French: Providence; In Dutch: Voorzienigheid; In Spanish: Providencia; In German: Vorsehung; In Malay: Rezeki; In Swedish: ¹óö°ù²õ²â²Ô

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Providence'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This concept is related to God's care for all, living and dead, and is taught by various figures, demonstrating belief in divine guidance and care.[1] (2) Providence is the belief in a divine plan or guidance, the denial of which leads to the denial of God's existence, according to the provided text.[2] (3) This concept is linked to the potential for the world's creation by another entity, and its admission or exclusion directly influences the justification of virtues and the concept of the soul's immortality.[3] (4) This is the guiding force that the speaker believes is responsible for the series of events that have unfolded in the life of Faustus and his family.[4] (5) Providence is something that is not in God if there is no affection in Him, because whatever is subject to affections is weak.[5]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) This is a heading which can be used to seek for the equivalents of what theologians speak of as the ‘decrees of God�.[6] (2) The term signifies foresight and is utilized once in the New Testament during an address to Felix, where it indicates the correction of evils for a nation, emphasizing the concept of foresight.[7]

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The protective care and guidance provided by God, which may involve hardship as part of a greater purpose.[8]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) God's ongoing involvement and governance in the world, particularly in relation to national prosperity and moral order.[9]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) The term Providence originally referred to foresight, later representing the care God takes of the universe, stemming from the power God exerts on all creations, encompassing preservation, cooperation, and government of everything.[10]

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) The act of God that is needed for every single action that a person does, without it a person can not see, hear, or move.[11] (2) This is the belief in God's care and inspection of the world, and those who deny it, in effect, deny the being of God, stripping him of his attributes and glory, and can lead to a denial of God.[12] (3) This term refers to God's divine guidance and governance over the universe, which is linked to His knowledge of what is to come.[13] (4) The protective care of God as He governs and manages all creation, guiding events according to His divine plan.[14]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Eastern Orthodoxy (or the Eastern Orthodox Church):
Eastern Orthodoxy Books

From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

(1) Providence is the watchful and ruling care over all, and it is assigned to the Angels who preside over each nation, and there is one Providence of the whole.[15] (2) The protective care and guidance of the divine, which raises questions about the existence of evil within a benevolent framework.[16]

Eastern Orthodoxy, or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Christianity. It consists of independently governed churches with strong cultural ties to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Eastern Orthodox theology focuses on the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers strive for theosis, or becoming closer to God, through grace and spiritual practices.  

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) This is a plan in the intellect directing the ordering of some things towards an end, as was proved.[17] (2) The divine guidance or care exercised by angels, implying their knowledge of singulars and individual affairs.[18]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.