What is the doctrine of divine concurrence?
What is the doctrine of divine concurrence?
Answer
The doctrine of divine concurrence declares that God is active in every aspect of creation. God created the world with a natural order and human beings with free will. Yet, at the same time, He continually maintains, guides, and sustains all things according to His own divine will. This doctrine does not imply that God is the author of sin or that free will is an illusion. Instead, it affirms that God is working through and within all events, including human decisions, to accomplish His purposes.
In essence, divine concurrence asserts that God is all-powerful, yet humans have free will. Scripture repeatedly testifies that God is almighty. For instance, Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (ESV). Moreover, Proverbs 16:9 reveals that God’s power extends to human decisions, teaching, “The heart of man plans his way, but theLordestablishes his steps” (ESV). These verses reveal that, while people make plans, their direction and outcome occur according to God’s providence—His ongoing oversight of creation—which is concurrent with human freedom.
The doctrine of divine concurrence also affirms the reality of human responsibility. God does not force or control people. Instead, He operates within human freedom to accomplish His purposes: “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). This unity of God’s work and human effort lies at the heart of divine concurrence.
Furthermore, the doctrine of divine concurrence is not confined to personal experiences but includes all of history. God “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26, ESV). God’s providence is behind historical events like the rise and fall of nations and the development of civilization. While human history is full of chaos and tragedy, the doctrine of divine concurrence gives assurance that God is sovereign and that all things—even the most chaotic and tragic—work for His glory.
Divine concurrence also has important implications for Christian living. The knowledge that God is sovereign over all things encourages believers during times of struggle and uncertainty. It gives them confidence to trust God’s will, even when life seems in disarray. In Romans 8:28, Paul declares, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (ESV). This promise does not imply that believers can avoid suffering or failure in this world; rather, it affirms that God can bring good out of any situation for the benefit of those who have faith in Him.
Christian theologians have taught the concept of divine concurrence throughout history. The Protestant Reformers and the early church fathers did not view God’s providence as a remote or abstract power but as a present and purposeful reality in the lives of His creatures (see Ephesians 1:11). Everything happens according to God’s divine will.
The theological truth that shapes the doctrine of divine concurrence is that the God who is in the heavens is also involved in all aspects of creation. God is “high and exalted” above creation (Isaiah 57:15), but He is also present and active in it (see Psalm 34:18).
At its core, divine concurrence places a dual emphasis on divine initiative and human agency. Believers can have confidence that God is all-powerful and, at the same time, aware of and governing every detail of their lives.