St. Justin found definite proof of God’s care for us in the prophecies of scripture; and the prophecies that relate to the attainment of our free salvation were fulfilled on the cross.
St. Athanasius the Apostolic also says “The holy Word of the Father, then, almighty and all-perfect, uniting with the universe and having everywhere unfolded His own powers, and having illumined all, both things seen and things invisible, holds them together and binds them to Himself, having left nothing void of His own power, but on the contrary giving life and sustaining all things everywhere, each severally and all collectively.”513
513 St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Against the Heathen 3.42 (NPNF II/4:26) amended.
St. Irenaeus thought that it was appropriate for rational beings to know the One who cares for them and who manages their affairs.514
St. John Chrysostom likens God to a river that divides into many branches to water the whole earth; there is no one who does not benefit from God’s providence.515
The Fathers cited
- St. Justin
- St. Athanasius the Apostolic
- St. Irenaeus
- St. John Chrysostom