ABSTRACT
To believe in divine providence is to believe that God is in control, using his power and knowledge to direct the world to the supremely good end(s) for which it was created. There are many different accounts of how God runs the world, and of his relationship with his creatures. A strong account of providence, endorsed by many throughout the history of Christianity, entails the thesis that everything that happens is speci cally intended or permitted by God. God did not create the world and then take a handsoff approach. He not only continually sustains the world in existence, but he concurs with creatures in every one of their activities (acting in them or on the effects of their activities). God’s sovereignty is complete, that is, it covers or ranges over every detail. He also has complete and certain knowledge (foreknowledge) of everything that happens, and this knowledge must in part be a function of his sovereignty if he is genuinely in control, that is, if he really plans or provides for all things, and not (merely) reacts to what happens. God’s providence is not restricted to having general strategies or contingency plans. He takes no risks in creation, and so nothing that happens can take him by surprise.
