God is Simple
A bite-sized lesson in doctrine: 1 Concept, 2 Definitions, 3 Passages...
Welcome back to Theology Thursday!
Here is your bite-sized lesson in orthodox, Biblical doctrine in 3 simple steps:
ONE concept explained
TWO concise definitions that must be kept distinct
THREE Scripture passages to meditate on
Concept: Divine Simplicity
Divine Simplicity is a denial of something more than an affirmation of something. By saying God is simple, we don’t mean that God is somehow easy to understand or able to be grasped by our finite minds. The contrast is not between “simple” and “difficult” but between simple and complex. A complex object has many parts. A puzzle is not simple; it is complex in that it has many parts. That is not what God is like. Divine Simplicity says that there is no composition in God. He is non-composite. He is not made up of parts or attributes. Instead, He is all of His attributes all at once. His essence is qualitatively and eternally one.
It’s been said that (strictly speaking) God doesn’t possess attributes; He is His attributes (e.g., “God is love” and doesn’t merely have love). To say otherwise potentially suggests that there can be a change in God or that one attribute is more important than the other. While speaking of God’s many attributes is fine and even worshipful, we must affirm that He is whatever He has. All of His attributes are simply descriptions of His one divine essence. Praise be to our God Who is one!
Definitions/Distinctions:
Negative Attributes: Those attributes that negate or deny all imperfection in God and thereby attribute perfection to His being. One of the ways we know God is by negation, an affirmation of what He is not.
Relative Attributes: Those attributes that showcase the relationship between God and something outside of God (e.g., Love, mercy, justice, creator, ruler, etc.).
Passages:
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Exodus 3:14
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Deuteronomy 6:4
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8
For more on this, check out Kevin DeYoung’s animated explainer videos on the incommunicable attributes of God!
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