Lesson 1: Introduction Lesson 1: Introduction

God exists & created all things He is the creator –Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Psa. 14:1; 19:1; John 1:3; Acts 14:15; Col. 1:16 The question is: –“Is He doing anything now?” –“Does the Lord work in the affairs of men today?” –“If He intervenes, how does He work?” He is the creator –Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Psa. 14:1; 19:1; John 1:3; Acts 14:15; Col. 1:16 The question is: –“Is He doing anything now?” –“Does the Lord work in the affairs of men today?” –“If He intervenes, how does He work?”

Definition of Providence Various definitions: –English = “provision; preparation for future” –Latin noun = “foresight” –Greek noun = “forethought, to think before” –Greek verb = “to take thought for” Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Timothy 5:8 Divine providence concerns: –God’s support, preservation, care, supervision and government which He exercises over everything He has created (from the moment of His first creation to His foreseeable future into eternity) that He might accomplish the purpose for which all things were created Various definitions: –English = “provision; preparation for future” –Latin noun = “foresight” –Greek noun = “forethought, to think before” –Greek verb = “to take thought for” Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Timothy 5:8 Divine providence concerns: –God’s support, preservation, care, supervision and government which He exercises over everything He has created (from the moment of His first creation to His foreseeable future into eternity) that He might accomplish the purpose for which all things were created

God still works today He created all things He sustains all things –Hebrews 1:2-3; Colossians 1:17; Acts 17:28 God’s providence is exercised: –Generally – toward all creation –Specifically – toward His children He created all things He sustains all things –Hebrews 1:2-3; Colossians 1:17; Acts 17:28 God’s providence is exercised: –Generally – toward all creation –Specifically – toward His children

Various ideas & positions that deny or misinterpret Divine providence Deism Calvinism Almost everything is a miracle today Too much suffering happening today God is not involved in anything God is involved in everything Chance Fate Luck Coincidence / “Accidents” Deism Calvinism Almost everything is a miracle today Too much suffering happening today God is not involved in anything God is involved in everything Chance Fate Luck Coincidence / “Accidents”

Key principles to help understand and appreciate Divine providence Cannot conflict with His nature or revealed will Does not negate man’s free will Must be distinguished from the miraculous In providence, God works behind the scenes Cannot conflict with His nature or revealed will Does not negate man’s free will Must be distinguished from the miraculous In providence, God works behind the scenes