On Divine Providence

Ancient Christian Writers #49

by Theodoret of Cyrus

Theodoret can be called the last great torchbearer of Christian rhetoric in Asia and De providentia is regarded by many as exhibiting his literary power in its highest form. Written c. 437.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Steven Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively solid set of discourses aimed at showing how God actively guides and provides for mankind. There are a total of 10 discourses, in which Theodoret begins with the natural order of things (biology, zoology, weather, etc) and builds up to how God oversees mankind’s interaction within his social sphere. Questions of slavery, poverty, and governance are looked at in light of God’s wisdom and purposes. Courses 1-5 seem a bit dry, but 6-10 were so much more enjoyable. The crescendo to discourse 10
wherein the atonement is looked at severally reveals an awareness of its penal, ransom, and satisfaction dimensions.