Andrew Louth - Syriac Christian Church

144 DIFFICULTY 10
D
1193A
B
C
unnatural. Whatever happens naturally, even if it is obscure
to all, possesses the strong and unconquerable power of the
demonstration of the truth. If it is the case that the reason for
providence as it affects particulars is incomprehensible to us,
as in accordance with the verse, his judgments are
unsearchable and his ways past finding out (Rom. 11:33), then
in my view they are not right who say that it shows that there
is no such providence. 118 For if the difference and variation
between different human beings is great and
incomprehensible, in ways of life and customs and opinions
and choices and desires, in what they know, and their needs
and pursuits, and the almost countless thoughts in their
minds, and in everything that happens to them in each day
and hour (for this animal, man, is changeable, sharp on
occasions and changing with need), it is absolutely necessary
that providence, comprehending everything with foresight in
the circumscription of its individuality, should be manifest as
different and manifold and complex, and should achieve
harmony as it extends into the incomprehensibility of the
multitudinous, in a way suitable to each individual, whether
thing or thought, reaching as far as the least movement of
mind or body. If therefore the difference of particulars is
incomprehensible, then likewise is the infinite meaning of
providence that draws them into harmony, but it should not
follow that, since the meaning of particular providence happens
to be infinite and unknowable to us, we should make our
ignorance a ground for denying the all-wise care for the things
that are, but we should receive and hymn all the works of
providence simply and without examination, as divinely fitting
and suitable, and believe that what happens happens well,
even if the reason is beyond our grasp. And I mean all the
works of providence, not what happens by our agency in
accordance with our reason, for these are quite different from
the logos of providence. For the manner indicated by the great
teacher of the power and grace of the Saints, according to
reason and contemplation, is conjectural rather than
categorical (for our mind is very far from truth itself), but
trying to get hold of what has been said with the reason, and
as it were tracking it down, I have done nothing more than
make suggestions.