QUESTION 22 — GOD’S PROVIDENCE
1. Does providence suit God?
2. Are all things subject to divine providence?
3. Does divine providence extend immediately to all things?
4. Does divine providence impose necessity on things subject to it?
Article 1 — Does providence suit God?
Objections:
1. It seems not, because, according to Cicero, providence is a part of prudence. Now the prudence which, according to the Philosopher, ensures the goodness of deliberation, cannot suit God, in whom no doubts arise and who therefore has no need to deliberate. 2 . Everything in God is eternal. But providence is not an eternal thing, having as its object, says S. John Damascene, existing beings which are not eternal. 3 . There is no complexity in God; but providence seems to be something complex since it includes will and intelligence. On the contrary , we read in the book of Wisdom (14, 3, Vg): “It is you, Father, who governs everything by your providence. " Answer : It is necessary to attribute providence …More