The providence debate is one that has been debated over the years and will continue to be throughout Christendom and even the secular world. When you consider the providence of God, much depends on where you stand in relation to the doctrine of salvation. There are differences of understanding in theological areas regarding salvation and the role of God and the individual, which spills over into the areas of God's providence. Do we, as humans, have the ability to accept or reject Christ, or are we predestined and/or elected from before the foundation of the earth? Does God make all things happen exactly the way He wants them to or does He allow some things to happen based on our decisions? Do we truly have free will or is everything in our life planned out by the Creator? Did God create everything we see and know and then abandon us with no further involvement in this world? These are some of the questions I will attempt to answer in this discussion, comparing both sides, and then providing my understanding and belief. INTRODUCTION
Paul's letter to the Romans is vital in determining and understanding a proper Christian worldview in many ways. The Apostle Paul covers such a wide variety of issues/topics in the text, realizing that it is not a form of systematic theology, it is to be carefully considered for the emphasis and focus of our relationship with God and others.
First of all, let's consider the highly debated topic of creation. While some believe creation was accomplished solely by God and His will, and that He is active in all of creation even today, others in