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Though one of my duties as a seminary professor is to explore the doctrine of providence in an academic and technical theological fashion, I have tried to keep this book at least one step removed from the academic realm. It is written for the laity, for theirs is a concern that faces the hard questions of providence in the concrete arena of faith—and rarely from the abstract vantage point of the academic arena. At times I find it well-nigh impossible to avoid the abstract altogether. I am afraid at times I skate over the line into the academic realm.
When that occurs I seek to explain and illustrate the material in a way that I trust does not demand a seminary background. Where I fail in that regard the fault is mine and not that of my excellent and helpful editor, Sue Ann Jones.
Without Sue Ann's able assistance this book would have been more academic and far less readable. My thanks go to her and also to Maureen Buchman and Donna Mack for their help in preparing the manuscript. Special thanks also to Joey Paul, Kip Jordon, and Nelson Keener at Word for their gracious patience with me in this endeavor.
Orlando, Easter 1996