When Diego Maradonna scored for Argentina against England with a hand ball in the semifinal of the 1986 FIFA Football World Cup he claimed it was the hand of God. But was it? Did God intend for Maradonna to score the goal? Or, did God only know about the goal when it happened?
Divine Providence is basically how involved in the world God is (or how much free will God lets us have). Picture the Scene: Four teams are entered into the Providence Cup football tournament.
Image taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11341977
Firstly, we have Meticulous Providence Athletic: They believe that every kick, pass, volley and outrageous offside decision is exactly what God wanted to happen (win lose or draw) even before a ball was kicked. God is playing Subbuteo with us. The players are however still responsible for their fouls. Meticulous Providence is also known as Classical Theism.
Secondly, we have Limited Providence United: They believe that that God ‘could’ affect everything that happens in the matches, but ‘chooses’ not to. He has pre-selected the wining team, but not ‘how’ they do it. God is the match fixer. Limited Providence is also known as Molanism.
Image taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football
Thirdly, we have Free Will Theism Albion: God is ultimately in charge of the team, but delegates some control to the rest of the team. He is involved in the big decisions, but not some of the day to day issues. God is the owner. The results are not pre-determined, but God knows anyway – he can 100% accurately predict, but not fix the results!
Fourthly, we have Open Theism Rovers: God doesn’t already know who’s going to do what, but can influence the game enough that His team wins in the end. He could be willing to change His mind. God is the greatest player / manager / owner. Open Theism Rovers are the youngest team, only having been founded in the 1980s.
Whilst these views of Providence may vary, they are all considered to be accepted Chrstian Orthodoxy.
Who won the Providence cup? Did Maradonna score with the hand of God? Well, that depends on your Doctrine!
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