Providentia Dei: A Comparative Study of the Concept of Providentia in the Old and New Testaments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/djash.v4i1.54626Keywords:
Biblical hermeneutics, Christocentric, Divine providence, New Testament, Old Testament, Providencia DeiAbstract
The concept of Providentia Dei, or divine providence, is a central doctrine in Christian theology, affirming God's active involvement in the care, organization, and guidance of creation and human history. This study aims to comparatively examine the concept of Providentia Dei in the Old and New Testaments to explore the theological continuity and transformation that occur in the biblical narrative. Using a qualitative approach through literature study and historical-literary hermeneutic analysis, this study analyzes primary biblical texts and critical dialogues with classical and contemporary theological thought. The results of the study indicate that in the Old Testament, Providentia Dei is primarily expressed within a cosmological-historical and covenantal framework, with an emphasis on God's care for Israel as a covenant people in collective history. Meanwhile, the New Testament presents a radical reorientation that is Christocentric, personal, and eschatological, in which divine providence culminates in the incarnation, cross, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This study asserts that this shift is not a discontinuity, but rather a theological transformation that culminates in the fulfillment of the redemptive narrative. Christ serves as the hermeneutical axis that unites the understanding of Providentia Dei in both canons. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the relevance of the doctrine of Providentia Dei to the contemporary context, particularly in addressing the problem of evil, the relationship between God's sovereignty and human freedom, the ecological crisis, and the demands of social justice. Thus, Providentia Dei is understood not merely as an abstract doctrinal concept, but as a relational, participatory, and transformative foundation of faith for the lives of Christians today.
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