Abstract

Thomas Aquinas maintains that God's mercy and love are aspects of his providence, but he has more to say about providence than that. In this chapter, his teaching on providence is examined, first from a general viewpoint, and then looking at the three implications of this for Aquinas – those concerning chance, the action of created secondary causes, and predestination. Finally, a look is taken at what he says on three topics that fall within the notion of providence as he, and others, have understood it – miracles, human freedom, and prayer.