Xx. Of God'S Action In The Government Of The Universe; And Of Miracles
XX. OF GOD'S ACTION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNIVERSE; AND OF MIRACLES
(A)
How does God govern this universe which was created by Him?
By maintaining it and directing it to its end (CIII. 4).
Does God maintain all created things Himself?
Yes, God Himself maintains all created things; although He uses certain of His creatures to maintain others in existence according to the order of dependence which He established among things when He created them (CIV. 1, 2).
What is meant by saying that He Himself maintains all created things?
By this is meant that that which is at the basis of all beings in the universe and which makes existence the common connecting link of all is communicated to them by the direct action of God Himself (CIV. i).
Is the act of maintaining all things in existence also proper to God as is the creation of things?
Yes, because the direct and immediate result of both phenomena is the inflow of being which is an effect proper to God (CIV. 1, Obj. 4; VIII. 1).
(B)
Could God effect that all things that are should cease to be?
Yes.
What action on God's part would be necessary to effect that all things that are should cease to be?
It would be sufficient for Him to cease willing to give them the being they have, and which they continue to receive from Him every instant (ibid.).
Without ceasing, therefore, the being of all things that are in the world depends absolutely upon God?
Yes, without ceasing things depend absolutely on God; much in the same way as the light of the day depends absolutely upon the presence of the action of the sun; except that the action of the sun is a necessary action, whereas the action of God is wholly free (ibid.).
Has God ever annihilated anything He has made?
No (CIV. 4).
Will God ever annihilate anything?
No (ibid.).
Why has God never annihilated and will never annihilate anything He has created? ~ Because God acts for His glory only; and His glory 36 CATECHISM OF TEE "SUMMA THEOLOGICA"
Because God acts for His glory only; and His glory demands not that He annihilate, but rather that He preserve things in existence (ibid.).
(C)
Can there be any change in things made by God?
Yes, and changes more or less radical according to the difference of natures, and according to the difference of states of the same nature.
Do these changes which sometimes come about in the things made by God, enter into the plan of His divine government?
Yes, since all such can and should advance the end of His government which is the glory of God and the well-being of His work.
Are there any changes in creatures that are due to the special action of God?
Yes (CV. 1-8); and they are those changes which affect directly the ultimate basis of material things, or the affective part of spiritual beings, and also that which is fundamental in every action of the creature (CV. 1, 4, 5).
Is this action which is proper to God and to which we must attribute the changes that come about in material things "outside" the action of secondary causes which in the ordinary course of nature is proportionate to these changes?
Yes, and such changes are called miracles (CV. 6, 7).
(D)
Are there any such miracles performed by God?
Yes, it is most certain that there are miracles perform. by God in the material world. They can be graded in three categories according as the events are beyond the power of nature to effect -- in themselves, or in the subject in which they are effected, or in the manner of the production (CV. 8).
Why has God performed such miracles, and does He still perform them?
God has performed, and may perform again as pleases Him, such miracles in order to arouse the mind of men, and to make them acknowledge His divine power which is brought into play for their well-being and for His own glory.