JOURNAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE

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Wright, John H. “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence.” Alma College 27-57.

Introduction

There are many components in theology that make up one’s entire theological stance. Some components are major, while others just serve as topics of debate. Understanding theology is much more than the typical Sunday school lesson, but requires far more time, energy and patience from the one seeking the understanding. The question of the providence of God is one topic that takes this time, energy and patience. The time spent exploring this topic is well worth it. Wright states, “But the question (of providence) is finally unavoidable, and the answer one attempts to give to it will necessarily affect all the rest of one’s theological outlook.”[1] My purpose for this paper is the analyze Wright’s article with a critical lens.
Brief Summary Wright easily lays the foundation of his entire article. He writes, “At what point does God’s providence escape the human category of “plan” and assert its own transcendental uniqueness and mystery?”[2] Wright unwraps the differing views of the providence of God, continuing to point back to St. Thomas Aquinas, “the master.”[3] He also discusses the views of the classical Thomist school and the Molinist school, and defines general providence, special providence and most special providence (predestination). Wright points the reader back to scripture, where there is plenty of evidence supporting the idea of providence. Wright bases his theology of providence in scripture, because he believes it is essential for developing an adequate theology.[4] He also discusses the stance the church has taken on the providence of God. Jansen says, “the teaching authority of the church has had relatively little to say about divine providence.”[5] Finally, Wrights lists “three moments in the formation of the plan of divine providence.”[6]
Critical Interaction The author develops his thesis well. He lays the foundation in the first half of the article by educating the reader on the different views of providence, and then brings it all together in the last half. Wright believes the providence of God has divine purpose. He believes God has one plan and that plan has not changed from the beginning. This concept is crucial in the understanding of God and why he created mankind. Jesus was not the back up plan.[7] The backbone of Christianity is God’s redemptive plan from the beginning of creation, with Jesus sitting at his side.[8] Furthermore, Wright defuses the idea of God having a first and second plan. Again, it is essential to the Christian faith that God did not mess up. There was never a surprise that caught God off guard.[9] Lastly, Wright states, “What at once distinguishes and unites the antecedent and the consequent plans of God is the free determinations of the creatures within the antecedent plan of God.”[10] Wright believes that humankind has free will to choose God, and the free will to choose God is a part of the providence of God. Free will and providence seem to contradict each other. If everything that happens in the world leads back to God’s redemptive and providential plan, are the people that call upon Jesus’ name under his providence as well?

Conclusion All in all, Wright guides the reader through his article, trying to shine light on a mystery that is rarely talked about in the church. Wright backs up his ideas with scripture, and informs the reader of differing opinions held by various groups. Although the thought of understanding the complexity of the providence of God seems mind boggling, it will affect one’s theological outlook. The study of providence can be placed under a microscope, but ultimately Wright stands firm on the idea “that the doctrine of providence tells us that the world and our lives are not ruled by chance or by fate but by God, who lays bare his purposes of providence in the incarnation of his son.”[11]

Selected Bibliography

1. Wright, John H. “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” Alma College, http://www.ts.mu.edu/readers/content/pdf/27/27.1/27.1.2.pdf (Assessed July 6, 2013). 2. B. Demarest. "Systematic Theology." Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition. ed. Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2001.
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[1] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” Alma College, http://www.ts.mu.edu/readers/content/pdf/27/27.1/27.1.2.pdf (Assessed July 6, 2013). 28
[2] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” 27
[3] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” 28
[4] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” 32
[5] F. Jansen, “La divine providence,” Nouvelle revue theol. 60 (1933) 97-116
[6] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” 41
[7] Genesis 3:15
[8] John 1:1
[9] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” 43
[10] Wright, John H., “The Eternal Plan of Divine Providence,” 50
[11] B. Demarest, "Systematic Theology." Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition. ed. Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2001. p. 965