Four Views on Divine Providence

Questions about divine providence have preoccupied Christians for generations: to what degree does God concern himself with and intervene in the affairs of everyday life? This book introduces readers to four prevailing views on divine providence, with particular attention to the questions of human free will, the problem of evil, and God's perception of time. Volume contributors and their basic viewpoints are: - Paul Helseth - God causes every creaturely event that occurs. - William Lane Craig - through his "middle knowledge," God controls the course of worldly affairs without predetermining any creatures' free decisions. - Ron Highfield - God controls creatures by liberating their decision-making. - Gregory Boyd - human decisions can be free only if God neither determines nor knows what they will be. Introductory and closing essays by Dennis Jowers give relevant background and guide readers toward their own informed beliefs about divine providence. Four Views on Divine Providence helps readers think theologically and biblically about all the issues involved in exploring this doctrine. The point-counterpoint format reveals the assumptions and considerations that drive equally learned and sincere theologians to disagreement with each other. It unearths the genuinely decisive issues beneath a philosophically dense debate. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.