On the Providence of God

by John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (ca. 347–407), is revered as the Church’s greatest homilist and interpreter of Holy Scripture. The present treatise, On the Providence of God, was his last work, written at the very end of his life, when he was in exile in the mountains of Armenia. He wrote this work to encourage his faithful flock in Constantinople and elsewhere, who were in distress due to his unjust banishment and the political intrigue and persecutions surrounding it. It is believed that he sent it to his spiritual daughter St. Olympias along with his last letter to her, asking her to “keep constantly coming back to it” as a source of spiritual strength amidst her own persecution.

In reading On the Providence of God, one marvels at how powerfully the author was able to affirm God’s goodness and love amidst the uncertain and ignominious circumstances in which he then found himself. Again and again, St. John exhorted his beleaguered flock to patiently wait for the outcome of events, as had the righteous ones in the Old and New Testaments. He brought forth as examples Job, Abraham, Joseph, King David, the Three Holy Youths, John the Baptist, Protomartyr Stephen, and many others, all of whom exhibited unwavering faith when, on the face of things, it looked as if all were lost.

St. John’s meditations on God’s loving care for the world were the fruit of his entire life, which he had lived in devotion to His Master Christ—and especially of his final years, when that devotion, more than ever before, had been sorely put to the test. It was with such faith and serene trust in his Lord that he came to the end of his earthly life in exile, and that he uttered his now-famous final words, “Glory be to God for all things!”

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Christian

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

John Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death in 407 (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.

The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).

John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.

Reviews

[Saint Katherine BookstoreVA]

Saint John spent his last years in exile. The oligarchs in Constantinople twice had him banished from the city, angry over his constant challenges to their overweening pride and corruption. Saint John endured forced marches into ever-greater privations and his supporters left behind faced
torture and even death. In his introduction, Abbot Damascene sees the book as a minor miracle:

"On the Providence of God was written in the mountains of Armenia...to encourage his faithful flock in Constantinople and elsewhere, who were in distress due to his forced exile and the political intrigue and persecutions surrounding it. That he would have the strength and courage not only to instruct his spiritual children on the wondrous providence of God amidst the sufferings of his exile, but to write a whole treatise on this subject, is a testament to the indomitable faith of this great man of God." (p. 9).

Arranged as 24 short chapters, Saint John writes on maintaining and even amplifying faith during tribulation, never showing a trace of self-pity. He reminds us of God’s grand inscrutability and our proper response of humility. Those who demand that God answer for suffering can easily become further scandalized due to the unjust actions of corrupt leaders. Saint John insists that their mounting bitterness and their slide into unbelief can only be ascribed to the state of their own hearts and minds, along with the fact they don’t know Scripture. The scandalized do not see the
grace that came to the biblical heroes, the providential care that God showed them during their trials, the friendship with God they found in the aftermath, and their final rewards of eternity in God’s presence. Saint John says:

"Likewise, it would be possible to tell of countless others who, having encountered grievous circumstances, were not thrown into confusion, but held fast to God’s declaration even if the events were contrary to the promises. Through this most noble endurance with patience, they plucked brilliant crowns for themselves. Therefore, beloved one, you too, wait for the final outcome. Everything will be fulfilled, whether in this world or in the age to come." (96).

Why read these words today? Abbot Damascene suggests:

"Especially when we are beset by unforeseen trials and tribulations, this atmosphere of unbelief [surrounding us in the modern world] can weaken our faith that God is really taking care of us with love that is as infinite as it is unconditional. Like St. John’s flock and in some ways even more than they, we stand in need of words of life that will enflame the embers of faith within us. May St. John’s words on God’s providence—born in the crucible of his own suffering—inspire us to abide
more deeply in the security of being children of the Highest, the loving Father of us all. " (25)

[Holy Transfiguration Bookstore · Rating 4 out of 5]

St. John Chrysostom spent his last years in exile. The oligarchs in Constantinople twice had him banished from the city, angry over his constant challenges to their overweening pride and corruption. St. John endured forced marches into ever-greater privations and his supporters left behind faced torture and even death. In his introduction, Abbot Damascene sees the book as a minor miracle:

“On the Providence of God was written in the mountains of Armenia … to encourage his faithful flock in Constantinople and elsewhere, who were in distress due to his forced exile and the political intrigue and persecutions surrounding it. That he would have the strength and courage not only to instruct his spiritual children on the wondrous providence of God amidst the sufferings of his exile, but to write a whole treatise on this subject, is a testament to the indomitable faith of this great man of God.” (9)

Arranged as twenty-four short chapters, St. John writes on maintaining and even amplifying faith during tribulation, never showing a trace of self-pity. He reminds us of God's grand inscrutability and our proper response of humility. Those who demand that God answer for suffering can easily become further scandalized due to the unjust actions of corrupt leaders. St. John insists that their mounting bitterness and their slide into unbelief can only be ascribed to the state of their own hearts and minds, along with the fact they don’t know Scripture. The scandalized do not see the grace that came to the biblical heroes, the providential care that God showed them during their trials, the friendship with God they found in the aftermath, and their final rewards of eternity in God's presence. St. John says:

“Likewise, it would be possible to tell of countless others who, having encountered grievous circumstances, were not thrown into confusion, but held fast to God's declaration even if the events were contrary to the promises. Through this most noble endurance with patience, they plucked brilliant crowns for themselves. Therefore, beloved one, you too, wait for the final outcome. Everything will be fulfilled, whether in this world or in the age to come.” (96)

Why read these words today? Abbot Damascene suggests:

“Especially when we are beset by unforeseen trials and tribulations, this atmosphere of unbelief [surrounding us in the modern world] can weaken our faith that God is really taking care of us with a love that is as infinite as it is unconditional. Like St. John's flock and in some ways even more than they, we stand in need of words of life that will enflame the embers of faith within us. May St. John's words on God's providence – born in the crucible of his own suffering – inspire us to abide more deeply in the security of being children of the Highest, the loving Father of us all.” (25)

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is vintage exhortation from the Church Father known as "Golden Mouth." He addresses how to sustain faith and hope when everything seems to be going wrong in a big way, even over an extended period of time.

[Chad Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love St. John Chrysostom, and appreciate that he wrote this book at a time were the trust of God was needed.

[Laura Hargett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just struggling on the concept of God's will when I came across this while reassembling a collapsed bookshelf. It was just what I needed to clarify my thoughts.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t expect an expository overview of Hebrews 11 heros. Instead, expect a regurgitation of the literal Biblical narrative with occasional hyperbolic color. Chrysostom is considered a Great Father of Eastern Orthodoxy and his homiletics are highly repetitive. A short read valuable as an introduction to his works and methods, not to the expansion of Christian literature or theology.

[H. Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. St. John Christopher wrote this 1613+ years ago, and it seems like it could have written last week. The truths, meanings, and anecdotes from the Scriptures seem so real, relevant, and timely today. This is a must read for those in fear of what's to come in this present age.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well- written for where and why I gave up on Christianity. Chapters 11, 12, and part of 19 were missing from the copy I had.

[ivelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and edifying. Great translation by the editors. St Chrysostom can be a little difficult to read, so I’m happy to see such accessible editing.

[Jacookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for beginners especially in terms of exploring suffering

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chrysostom is often an easy read in my mind. He is a moralist not a speculative philosopher. He is good for a few gems in any of his works - things that can be quoted in the parish bulletin. But you do have to search through him as he can be long winded and also repetitive. He reads the lives of Old Testament saints fairly literally and sees them as excellent models for contemporary people struggling with issues of faithfulness.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chrysostom provides timeless spiritual guidance for Christians scandalized in the face of trials, tribulations, and injustices suffered by the Church.