Does God Have Emotions? with Ronni Kurtz

Sep 18, 2025

Ronni Kurtz, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and expert on divine impassability, explores profound questions about God's emotional life. He clarifies the difference between biblical 'passions' and modern 'emotions,' and discusses the historical roots of God's impassibility. Kurtz explains how divine simplicity allows for a love that is essential and uncaused, highlighting what we lose if we discard this understanding. He also addresses the importance of accommodation in Scripture for grappling with human feelings and divine assurance.

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INSIGHT

Emotion Terminology Matters

The word "emotion" is modern and imprecise for theological discussion about God.
Scripture uses "passion" and related terms which often carry negative or suffering connotations.

INSIGHT

Passions Versus Divine States

Passions in Scripture often denote undergoing or suffering and typically have negative connotations.
Saying God is without passions prevents equating divine life with creaturely, changeable reactions.

INSIGHT

God Is Not Moved Into Love

"Passion" etymologically implies undergoing or being moved by something external.
God does not need to be moved into loving or saving because he is the plenitude of life.

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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Ronni Kurtz to discuss the impassability of God.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

Why this is problematic to say (if it is): God has an emotional life.
Does God feel?
Is impassability part of historic Christian doctrine?
What is true and beautiful about this?
Are passions and emotions the same thing?
When we say God is simple, what are we saying?
What if you don’t feel God’s love?
What do we lose if we lose impassability?
As an image bearer, am I supposed to try to be impassable?
Why is the doctrine of accommodation important to this conversation?

Helpful Definitions:

Impassable: God is not subject to emotions.
Passion: Undergoing something.
Diviven Simplicity: God is not composed of parts.
Anthropomorphism: God describing himself in creaturely-like parts.
Anthropopathism: God reveals himself in human emotive language.
Anthropocronism: God describes himself in human-like time.

Guest Bio:

Ronni Kurtz serves as Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Kurtz holds a PhD in Systematic Theology, a ThM in Pedagogy, and an MDiv from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also has a BA in Biblical Studies from Southwest Baptist University. Dr. Kurtz is the author of numerous books and academic articles, including but not limited to Fruitful Theology, Proclaiming the Triune God, and Light Unapproachable.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

1 Peter 2, Romans 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 John 4:7, Acts 14, Hebrews 4-5, Philippians 2, Exodus 33, 1 Samuel 15, Exodus 20, Job 4, 1 Samuel 15, Deuteronomy 32, Genesis 6
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