Does discipline contradict divine providence?

Floyd says, “But besides the rosy picture of providence which depicts God as the merciful provider, Clement is not blind of its shadows. Providence is also a disciplinary art which

538 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 2.16 (ANF 2:364).

539 St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Four Discourses Against the Arians 2.59 (NPNF II/4:380).

540 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 1.5 (ANF 2:213, 214).

541 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 7.11 (ANF 2:542).

542 St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Four Discourses Against the Arians 3.25 (NPNF II/4:407) amended.

543 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 7.2 (ANF 2:524).

544 Origen, Against Celsus 4.99 (ANF 4:541).

chastens man both for his own benefit and as an example to others … Censure is the mark of goodwill, not ill will … the Lord is good despite the rod, threatening, and fear.”⁵⁴⁵

John Patrick says, “The controversy raised by Marcion led Clement to deal with the relation of the Divine justice to the Divine goodness.”⁵⁴⁶

Marcion attributed justice to the God of the Old Testament, characterizing Him as a violent punisher of people; while he attributed goodness to the God of the New Testament, characterizing Him as compassionate and sympathetic towards people. St. Clement explains that there is just one God in both the Old and the New Testaments; a God who is merciful and good in His justice, and just in His goodness. Divine punishment does not emanate from anger; He is truly both just and good at the same time. When He punishes people, His punishment is never vengeful, but always disciplinary and remedial. He chastises for three reasons:

For the good of the person who is chastised, to elevate him to a higher status, with the aim of saving the person who has become blameworthy.

As an example to others, so that through observing the censure and admonition, they may draw back from falling into sin.

God chastises the one who transgresses so that the sinner should not fall under judgment because of his sin.

St. Clement of Alexandria says, “‘Do not any longer,’ he says, ‘my son, despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him’ (Prov. 3:11). O surpassing love for man! Not as a teacher speaking to his pupils, not as a master to his servants, nor as God to men, but as a father, does the Lord gently admonish his children.”⁵⁴⁷