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On Polkinghorne’s Unification of General Providence, Special Providence and Miracle

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Abstract

John Polkinghorne claims there are no real distinctions between general providence, special providence and miracle. In this paper I determine whether this claim could be true given Polkinghorne’s wider account of these types of divine action. I conclude that this claim could be true, but only given a particular reading of Polkinghorne. I then defend this reading in light of two potential objections.

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Notes

  1. This assertion operates under the assumption that general providence would not hold in those possible universes where none of the laws of nature established by God ever dictate an actual sequence of events. I take it that, in line with passage (2), such a universe would not adequately reflect God's continuing faithfulness to his creations.

  2. See Chap. 5 of Science of Providence (2005) to learn how Polkinghorne's free process theodicy relates to God's non-energetic interaction with creation.

  3. Note there might be more possible outcomes than just B and C. However, for the sake of simplicity, only two outcomes need be considered.

  4. Of course there are several other biblical instances of people returning from the dead, as well the future promise of the Day of Resurrection. However, for the sake of the example's simplicity, these instances will be put aside.

  5. Where type B events and C events are mutually exclusive.

  6. Where type B events and C events are mutually exclusive.

  7. My thanks to Daniel Cohen, Alex Segal, Graeme Mclean and John Hadley for their support and input.

References

  • Polkinghorne, J. (1990). God's Action in the World. CTNS Bulletin, 10(2), 1–7.

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  • Polkinghorne, J. (2005). Science and providence: God's interaction with the world. West Conshohocken: Templeton Foundation Press.

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  • Polkinghorne, J. (1995). Science and Religion in Dialogue. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International.

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  • Polkinghorne, J. (2002). The Credibilty of the Miraclous. Zygon, 37(3), 751–757.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, & The Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    Morgan Luck

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  1. Morgan Luck
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Correspondence to Morgan Luck.

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Luck, M. On Polkinghorne’s Unification of General Providence, Special Providence and Miracle. SOPHIA 49, 577–589 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11841-010-0228-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11841-010-0228-y

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