Voorsienigheid, persoonlikheid en spiritualiteit - 'n vier-kantige voorsienigheidsleer

Abstract

This article focuses on the problem of the doctrine of providence, namely that God's goodness and his almighty power are not understandable in the light of the pain and suffering in this world. It suggests that the different answers that theologians give to this problem are related to their personalities and their spirituality. With the help of the Myers-Briggs-Type-Indicator the article indicates how the four different human functions and the preferences people have for a specific function are related to the different answers to the problem of the doctrine of providence. The article also examines the preferences pointed out in the Gospels concerning the life of Jesus Christ. It is suggested that He functioned in all four preferences. Therefore the conclusion is drawn that we should look at the doctrine of providence through the eyes of all four human functional preferences in order to arrive at a four-sided doctrine of providence. Die vrae waaroor dit in die voorsienigheidsleer gaan, is van die heel moeilikstes waarmee 'n mens hom kan besig hou (Potgieter 1998:17).


(Acta Theologica, Supplementum 3, 2002: 48-65)