This week saw us explore an important, but perhaps, less-known area of Christian theology: the doctrine of Providence, which concerns God’s continued involvement in creation and His foreknowledge and foresight – although not in ways that are fatalistic or purely down to chance or luck. Instead, the doctrine of Providence allows for human co-operation and participation with God.
Naturally, this led us to think about the predestination versus free-will debate, and the question of whether God changes his mind. We touched on Scriptures such as God hardening Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus and how we might handle passages such as these. Among other things, it became apparent that: God’s providence leaves room for prayer and that prayer remains necessary; and that God is gracious in allowing second chances to respond to Him – as Michael Lloyd neatly says: “we are not on the scrapheap”.
For this week’s presentation, please click here.
If you have any other thoughts, comments or reflections from this week, please share below.
Next time, we shall be thinking about the Incarnation.
Café Theology, Newbury 