Theologian Gavin Ortlund, Catholic apologist John DeRosa, and author Pat Flynn discuss divine simplicity, exploring its historical roots, theological implications, and metaphysical perspectives. They delve into the challenges of attributing properties to God, contrasting Anselmian and Thomistic approaches, and emphasizing the importance of understanding God's eternality and ontological ultimacy through the lens of divine simplicity.
Divine simplicity emphasizes God's unity and uniqueness through the absence of parts.
The limit case instance concept explains God's transcendent nature beyond human categories.
The attributionist view challenges divine simplicity by questioning how God's attributes are grounded.
Deep dives
Definition of Divine Simplicity and Common Ground
Divine simplicity is discussed as a key doctrine that asserts the absence of parts in God. Various Christian traditions, including Anselmians, Thomas, Scotists, and Palomites, agree on this core tenet, emphasizing the uniqueness and unity of God.
Metaphysical Framework and Analogical Language
Within a metaphysical framework, the limit case instance concept is used to explain God as transcending the creaturely category, ensuring his uniqueness. This model supports the principle of analogy, illustrating godly distinctions beyond human understanding without compromising simplicity.
Attributionist View Challenge
The attributionist view, presented in the discussion, claims that God lacks parts but possesses distinct attributes. Critics question how these attributes are grounded in God's eternal essence without introducing dependency on deeper principles, potentially challenging the core principle of ultimacy in divine simplicity.
Ideal of Real Relation and Grounding Principles
Exploring the notion of a genuine relation between God and creation, concerns arise about how these distinct attributes would be grounded. The discussion delves into the potential causal implications, highlighting the necessity for a paradigmatic evaluation within a wider metaphysical system to preserve the doctrine of divine simplicity.
Divine Simplicity Explained Through the Lens of Pure Being and Goodness
Divine simplicity entails that God, as pure being, embodies pure goodness. The classical theist distinguishes the sameness in reference despite differences in sense. Eternity and immutability stem from God's simplicity, ensuring no further states of being for God to enter, establishing Him as unchanging and timeless.
Exploring Attributionist Views and Real Relations in the Debate
The attributionist perspective presents three prongs concerning attributes grounded in God's essence. These properties existing alongside God pose a threat to His ultimate nature. Real relations, despite the term's technical meaning, safeguard God's immutability while allowing extrinsic relations with creation. The debate delves into divine simplicity, safeguarding God's ontological status without introducing new accidents.
Gavin Ortlund, John DeRosa, and Pat Flynn discuss divine simplicity, following up on Gavin's debate with Ryan Mullins.
See The Classical Theism Podcast: https://www.classicaltheism.com/
See Pat's book on God's existence: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Argument-God-Patrick-Flynn/dp/1644137801
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