DeïsmeDeism

Deisme is die siening dat God die heelal geskape het met sy natuurwette, maar dat Hy daarna nie meer ingryp in die loop van gebeurtenisse nie. God word gesien as ‘n “horlosiemaker” wat die wereld opgewind het en dit dan alleen gelaat het om volgens sy ingeboude meganismes te werk. ‘n Deis glo dus dat God nie gebede beantwoord nie, nie ingryp om mense te red nie, en nie wonders verrig nie – die wereld werk volgens natuurlike oorsaak-en-gevolg sonder verdere goddelike betrokkenheid. Hierdie siening staan in teenstelling met die Christelike geloof in ‘n persoonlike God wat aktief by Sy skepping betrokke bly deur voorsienigheid, gebed en verlossing.

Deism is the view that God created the universe with its natural laws but thereafter no longer intervenes in the course of events. God is seen as a “watchmaker” who wound up the world and then left it to operate according to its built-in mechanisms. A deist therefore believes that God does not answer prayers, does not intervene to save people, and does not perform miracles – the world operates according to natural cause-and-effect without further divine involvement. This view stands in contrast to the Christian belief in a personal God who remains actively involved with His creation through providence, prayer, and redemption.

© Attie Retief, 2025