Christian Theology

Divine Providence

• Definition: The concept that God is actively involved in the world, guiding and directing the course of events to achieve His purposes.
• Key aspects:
  • Sovereignty: God's supreme authority and control over all things.
  • Omniscience: God's complete knowledge of past, present, and future events.
  • Benevolence: God's goodness and desire to bring about good outcomes.
• Examples:
  • Biblical accounts of God's providence (e.g., Joseph's story in Genesis 37-50)
  • Personal experiences of God's guidance and direction in daily life

Miracles

• Definition: Extraordinary events that defy natural laws and demonstrate God's supernatural power.
• Types:
  • Healing miracles (e.g., Jesus' healing of the blind man in John 9)
  • Nature miracles (e.g., Jesus' calming of the storm in Mark 4:35-41)
  • Raising from the dead (e.g., Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus in John 11)
• Characteristics:
  • Unexpected and unexplained
  • Bring glory to God
  • Often involve a sense of wonder and awe

Faith Healing

• Definition: The belief that God can heal physical, emotional, or spiritual ailments through prayer and faith.
• Key aspects:
  • Trust in God's sovereignty and power
  • Prayer and petition for healing
  • Faith in God's ability to heal
• Examples:
  • Biblical accounts of healing (e.g., Jesus' healing of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:21-43)
  • Modern-day testimonies of healing through prayer and faith

Divine Intervention

• Definition: God's direct and active involvement in human affairs, often in response to prayer or faith.
• Types:
  • Direct intervention (e.g., God's voice or appearance)
  • Indirect intervention (e.g., God's guidance through circumstances or people)
• Examples:
  • Biblical accounts of divine intervention (e.g., God's intervention in the life of Moses in Exodus 3-4)
  • Personal experiences of God's guidance and direction in times of need or crisis