Washington's letters didn't often refer to God or religion, but he did frequently write about Providence. What is the difference between these? Do you think Providence played a role in the army's ultimate success?

Washington's letters didn't often refer to God or religion, but he did frequently write about Providence. What do you think is the difference between these?

Do you think Providence played a role in the army's ultimate success?

Providence is the 18th Century equivalent of the Universe or a higher power…the knowledge that there is something greater than ourselves..else…..how do we explain our experiences as humans. Most of the 18th Century enlightenment did not follow organized religion except to the extent it was expected by the every man.

God is the belief that a single entity (God) controls the universe and our lives. Providence is the belief that things happen because they were meant to. But not to the bidding of a powerful, omniscient being.
I do not believe providence had anything to do with Washington's ultimate victory. I believe Washington was responsible and those people who believed in him. Washington's strength and ability to instill faith in himself and give others the ability to believe in themselves is what it took.

If you believe in providence, then you would feel that you have been guided or protected by a deity. If you have that belief then you would feel comforted. Within the army, I suspect there are secular beliefs and people who feel they are protected by God. It's a personal belief rather than a collective belief. I agree with Cathy T that Washington's strategy and faith in the plan for a Free, independent country was the key factor and that propelled the army.

I ended up looking it up: "God or nature as providing protective or spiritual care."

So it seems like there's an element of protection here, and it seems like that fits what Washington meant in his letters.

I'm not one to believe in a divinity that provides personal protection to a person, nation or cause. Given how miraculous it was that the colonists prevailed, however, I could certainly see why some might credit their success to Providence.

Although Washington was baptized and went to the Established Church of Virginia, he kept a Sabbath day even though he irregularly attended church. His references to Providence align with his belief that there was a higher power who intervened in times of great need. In colonial days, belief in God meant belief in a specific creator who created heaven and earth, etc. Nelly Custis reportedly said Washington communed with God in private. I think Washington was right that the successes in battle happened because of divine intervention.

I actually liked his use of Providence as a pointer towards his way of creating his own boundaries with religion especially at that time. It takes some fortitude to go your own way in a society that is pretty rigorous about being religious. He made up his own mind about his beliefs but was pragmatic in his use of it. His own internal moral code stood him in good stead and led his principled behaviors.

The term Providence was used at that time in order to refer to a higher power without specifying or really acknowledging religion. And no, I don’t believe Providence played a role in the army’s success except in the hearts of those fighting.