Special Divine Action

The concept of special divine action -namely, that God acts in special ways at particular times and places in history- is one of the most fundamental presuppositions of the Christian faith. It is presumed in a wide range of beliefs on such matters as special revelation, incarnation, resurrection, petitionary prayer, particular providence and miracles. Yet it has come under serious criticism in recent times, especially with the rise of the natural sciences. This study examines the coherence and credibility of the concept as it emerges from the philosophical and theological debates of the last thirty years.