On the Providence of God

Publication Data: Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2015
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: 158
Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.5 cm × 14.0 cm × 1.2 cm
Additional Information: black-and-white illustrations
ISBN: 978‒1‒887904‒54‒4

   
by St. John Chrysostom
Translated from the Greek by Monk Moses (Worcester)
Edited by the St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood

“We present this English translation of St. John’s treatise On the Providence of God at a time when trust in God’s providence is rapidly on the wane in the Western world. If St. John Chrysostom needed to exhort his Constantinopolitan flock to be confident in God’s governance of the world, during an era when the Christian Faith was upheld and glorified by society as a whole, how much more are his exhortations needed today, when the Christian Faith is being increasingly marginalized and subjected to mockery, and when the very existence of God—not just the ways of His providence—is called into question or bitterly denied. The unbelief that surrounds us, as if in the air we breathe, can affect us in ways that we are often not aware of. Especially when we are beset by unforeseen trials and tribulations, this atmosphere of unbelief 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.”
—“Editor’s Introduction”

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION
A NOTE ON THE TEXT
ON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
PREFACE
CHAPTER 1
   That it is necessary to name the cause from which scandal is born
CHAPTER 2
   That it is precarious and full of madness to investigate and be inquisitive about the ineffable wisdom of God
CHAPTER 3
   That the Divinity is inapprehensible not only to us but to the powers above
CHAPTER 4
   That the Prophet Moses did away with dangerous inquisitiveness by a single statement at the beginning of the Bible
CHAPTER 5
   That we must be persuaded that God provides for all things; and that for those who doubt, the strongest proof is by means of the creation
CHAPTER 6
   On the love of God, which greatly surpasses all love
CHAPTER 7
   Proof of the providence of God through creation
CHAPTER 8
   That it is a demonstration of providence that we were given both the natural law and the written law, and that noble men were provided who, in sojourning in a foreign land, became teachers of the peoples who welcomed them, and then—the crown of good things—that we were favored with the coming of the only begotten Son
CHAPTER 9
   That we must not be overly inquisitive, and that we must wait for the final outcome of things
CHAPTER 10
   That the ancients awaited the end of events
CHAPTER 11
   That the realization of the promises did not occur immediately. And that the saints were not scandalized when they saw that in the beginning all the events were contrary to the promises
CHAPTER 12
   Why evil men, demons, and the devil have been permitted in this world
CHAPTER 13
   That the vigilant are not harmed or scandalized by anything
CHAPTER 14
   That even during the time of the apostles there were many scandals, many people were snatched away, and many teachers were pursued and quickly put to death
CHAPTER 15
   That the senseless are even scandalized by the crown of good things (that is, the Cross), through which the whole world was saved
CHAPTER 16
   That he who does not hurt himself cannot be injured by anyone else
CHAPTER 17
   That the Cross is evidence of God’s great providential care, His goodness, and His love
CHAPTER 18
   That these events have been of no small benefit to the Church
CHAPTER 19
   That many martyrs both lived and died with this as their foundation
CHAPTER 20
   That even in the time of the apostles more grievous things came to pass
CHAPTER 21
   That in both the Old and the New Testaments there are many trials
CHAPTER 22
   That those who judge wisely not only receive no scandal from trials but also derive profit from them, even if they are pagans
CHAPTER 23
   That the things that are taking place are a great sign of the good repute of the Church; and many have profited from them
CHAPTER 24
   That those who have acted unlawfully also undergo punishment as a result
SCRIPTURE INDEX
GENERAL INDEX