This word comes from Latin ''providentia'' "foresight, precaution", from ''pro-'' "ahead" + ''videre'' "to see". The current meaning of the word (Divine Providence) derives from the sense "knowledge of the future" or [[omniscience]], which is the privilege of God. The initial meaning of ''providere'' remains in 'to provide' = "to take precautionary measures".
==In Christian thought==
====Protestant theology====
This term is an integral part of [[John Calvin]]'s theological framework known as [[Calvinism]], which emphasizes the depravity of man and the complete sovereignty of God. God's plan for the world and every soul that he has created is guided by his will, or providence. According to Calvin, the idea that man has a free will and is able to make choices independently of what God has already determined is based on our limited understanding of God's perfection and the delusion that God's purposes can be circumvented. In this mode of thought, providence is related to [[predestination]].
The idea of providence as a central issue of piety was further developed by many of Calvin's followers, such as the English [[Puritans]]. In modern times, this concept remains prominent among many [[Protestant]] denominations that identify with [[Calvinism]], the [[Reformed churches]].
==== Swedenborgian theology ====
''Divine Providence'' is also a book (see external links), published by [[Emanuel Swedenborg]] in [[1764]], which describes his [[systematic theology]] regarding providence, [[free will]], [[theodicy]], and other related topics. Both meanings of the word providence described above ('foresight' and 'to provide') are applicable in the theology defined in Swedenborg's writings in that providence encompasses understanding, intent and action. Divine Providence relative to man is 'foresight', and relative to the Lord is 'providence'<ref>S. Warren, Compendium of Swedenborg's Theological Writings, page 480</ref>. Swedenborg proposes that one law of Divine Providence is that man should act from freedom according to reason, and that man is regenerated according to the faculties of rationality and liberty<ref>Swedenborg, E. Divine Providence, note 71-73</ref>.
====Catholic theology====
St. [[Augustine of Hippo]] is perhaps most famously associated with the doctrine of Divine Providence in the Latin West. However, Christian teaching on providence in the high Middle Ages was most fully developed by St. [[Thomas Aquinas]] in [[Summa Theologica]]. Providence, as care exercised by the Supreme Being over the universe, His foresight and care for its future is extensively developed and explained by [[Thomas Aquinas]] and modern thomists. One of the studies by foremost modern [[thomist]], [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] father [[Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange]] entitled "Providence. God's loving care for man and the need for confidence in Almighty God." (published first in 1932) presents and solves in the light of Catholic doctrine the most difficult issues as related to providence. In the subsequent generation, Catholic theologians such as [[Henri de Lubac]] and Hans urs [[von Balthasar]] developed the doctrine in ways which emphasized its biblical and Augustinian origins in Catholic thought.
==In deistic thought==
Since [[deism]] does not have [[dogma]], individual deists are free to believe in Providence or to not, whichever they consider more reasonable. Many do believe that God's plan has carefully provided for humanity.
Some{{Who|date=September 2007}} allege that [[George Washington]] belonged to the latter group of deists. While believing Providence had a hand in the victory of his Revolutionaries, he believed and said that Providence is "inscrutable"<ref>[http://deism.com/washington.htm George Washington and Deism], deism.com</ref>; he told his men to fight and work hard so they would win the favor of Providence. See [[George Washington and religion]].
==In Jewish thought==
Divine providence ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] '''השגחה פרטית''' ''Hasgochoh Protis'' / ''Hasgachah Pratit'' lit. [Divine] supervision of the individual) is discussed throughout [[Rabbinic literature]], and in particular by the classical Jewish philosophers. The discussion brings into consideration the Jewish understanding of [[nature]], and its reciprocal, [[miracle|the miraculous]]. This analysis thus underpins much of [[Orthodox Judaism]]'s [[world view]], particularly as regards questions of interaction with the natural world.
===Classical Jewish philosophy===
*Further,'' [[Torah Umadda#Torah and secular knowledge|Madda]]'', knowledge of the natural world and society, is regarded as vital in Modern Orthodox thought. This knowledge plays an obvious role in the facilitation of ''derech eretz'' and the development of technology. It is also seen as valuable as a [[complement]] to [[Torah study]]. This further reflects Maimonides, in that he, famously, defines science and philosophy as "Handmaidens" of Torah study — one could not be a learned Jew without this knowledge <ref> [http://www.nishma.org/articles/movies/hollywood3.html "Tinsel Town does Morality"] Rabbi D Hecht, nishma.org </ref>.
==See also==
* [[Destiny|Destiny and Fate]]
* [[Omniscient|Omniscience]]
* [[Synchronicity]]
* [[Qadar]]
* [[Eye of Providence]]
==References==
==External links==
*Christian material** [http://www.newadvent.org/summa/102200.htm Summa Theologica: The Providence of God by Thomas Aquinas. Traditional teaching of the Catholic Church]** [http://www.mbrem.com/calvinism/calprov.htm Calvin on Providence]** ''Dialogue 4, 13 "On Divine Providence": LH, Sunday, week 19, OR.'' by [[St. Catherine of Siena]]** ''The Mystery of Providence'' by [[John Flavel]], ISBN 0-85151-104-X — a [[Puritan]] classic on the subject** [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/providence-divine/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry]**[http://johnmarkhicks.faithsite.com/content.asp?CID=6300 What should I believe about Providence? Options in contemporary Theology], John Mark Hicks ** [http://www.theisticscience.org/books/dp/ Divine Providence], Emanuel Swedenborg** {{CathEncy|wstitle=Divine Providence}}*Jewish material** [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=567&letter=P Jewish Encyclopedia entry]** [http://danzig.jct.ac.il/personal/shemot_E_.html The Study of Nature in Jewish thought]** [http://yuriets.yeshivalive.com/TU3_Shatz.pdf "Practical Endeavor and the Torah u-Madda Debate"] ([[portable document format|PDF]])** [http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5764/SHM64features.htm The view of Rabbi Dessler]** [http://mevaseret.org/mmy/JournalSA/033-38.pdf The view of Rabbi Soloveitchik]** [http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/led-by-hashems-hand/index.html The Baal Shem Tov's conception of Divine Providence]** [http://www.tsel.org/torah/gevurot/4.html Maharal on Nature and Miracles]** [http://www.chabad.org/search/keyword.asp?kid=1623 Articles on Divine Providence (chabad.org)]** [http://www.hashgachapratis.com www.HashgchaPratis.com: Stories & Articles on Divine Providence][[Category:Theology]][[Category:Christianity]][[Category:Jewish philosophy]][[Category:Prophecy]][[Category:Synchronicity]][[da:Forsynet]][[de:Vorsehung]][[es:Divina providencia]][[fr:Providence (religion)]][[it:Provvidenza]][[la:Providentia (virtus)]][[nl:Voorzienigheid Gods]][[ja:摂理 (神学)]][[pl:Opatrzność]][[pt:Divina Providência]][[ru:Промысел (Промысл) Божий]][[sv:Försyn]][[uk:Провидіння]][[yi:השגחה פרטית]]
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