Reference

John Polkinghorne, an esteemed physicist and theologian, addresses the complex relationship between chance and divine purpose through several key concepts:

1. Kenotic Creation: Polkinghorne speaks of a "kenotic" creation, wherein God exercises self-limiting love (kenosis) to allow creation to have its own authentic being. This means that God does not control every detail of the cosmos but allows it to operate in a genuine way with its own freedoms and contingencies (source).

2. Chance and Necessity: In his interview with the Journal of Theological Studies, Polkinghorne mentions how the interplay between chance (random events) and necessity (law-like regularities) is an essential aspect of the universe's dynamics. He suggests that these processes do not contradict divine purpose; rather, they are the means through which God’s creative intentions are realized in a world that is not a mere puppet theater (source).

3. Role of Chance: Polkinghorne argues that what we perceive as chance does not negate divine sovereignty. Instead, chance events contribute to the openness and flexibility of the created order, reflecting a world of becoming rather than a static order (source).

4. Divine Purpose: He reconciles the existence of chance with divine purpose by asserting that God’s providential plan encompasses both randomness and regularity. For Polkinghorne, the unfolding of the universe--through evolutionary processes or quantum events--demonstrates a deep-seated purpose, even if individual events occur by chance (source).

In essence, Polkinghorne integrates scientific understanding of randomness with a theological vision of a purposeful creation, suggesting that divine purpose works through, rather than in opposition to, the natural processes of chance and necessity. This viewpoint allows him to maintain both scientific integrity and theological faith.