Incommunicable Attributes of God

Incommunicable Attributes of God

Incomprehensibility

Definition:

  • Divine incomprehensibility refers to the belief that God cannot be fully understood or comprehended by human beings.

  • It highlights the infinite nature of God, contrasting it with the finite understanding of humans.

  • While God reveals Himself through Scripture and creation, there remains an aspect of His being that transcends human knowledge.

Key Points:

  • Theological Doctrine:

    • In Abrahamic religions, especially Christianity, divine incomprehensibility asserts that God's essence is beyond complete human understanding.

    • Reference: Isaiah 40:28 states, "his understanding no one can fathom."

  • Partial Knowledge:

    • Theologians agree that while God is incomprehensible, He can be known in certain ways.

    • R. C. Sproul emphasizes that saying God is incomprehensible does not mean He is utterly unknowable; rather, we cannot grasp Him exhaustively.

Implications for Faith:

  • Revelation:

    • Knowledge of God is possible because He chooses to reveal Himself.

    • This revelation occurs through nature, Scripture, and ultimately through Jesus Christ.

    • Thus, while our understanding is limited, it is still meaningful and significant.

  • Theological Reflection:

    • The incomprehensibility of God encourages humility in theological study, reminding believers that their understanding of God is always partial and dependent on His gracious self-disclosure.

Aseity

Definition:

  • Aseity is a theological term derived from the Latin phrase "a se," meaning "from oneself."

  • It describes God's self-existence and independence from anything outside of Himself.

  • This attribute signifies that God does not rely on any external source for His existence or sustenance.

Simplicity

Definition:

  • Simplicity is a theological concept asserting that God is not composed of parts or attributes.

  • Instead, God's essence is identical to His existence.

  • This means that all that is in God is God, and His attributes (like love, holiness, and omnipotence) are not separate from His being.

Immutability

Definition:

  • Immutability refers to the belief that God does not change in any way.

  • This attribute is central to traditional Christian theology and emphasizes God's perfection and constancy.

Key Aspects of Immutability:

  • Unchangeable Nature:

    • God’s essence, attributes, and purposes are unchangeable.

    • This means He cannot improve or deteriorate, as any change would imply imperfection.

  • Biblical Foundations:

    • Several scriptures support the concept of immutability:

    • Malachi 3:6: "For I the Lord do not change."

    • James 1:17: "With whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

    • Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Implications of Immutability:

  • Reliability:

    • Because God does not change, His promises and character remain constant.

    • This provides believers with assurance and hope.

  • Contrast with Creation:

    • Unlike God, the created world is subject to change.

    • This distinction highlights God's transcendence and eternal nature.

Impassibility

Definition:

  • Impassibility is the theological doctrine that God does not experience pain or pleasure from the actions of others.

  • This means that God is not subject to emotional changes or suffering, which distinguishes Him from created beings.

  • The term comes from Latin, where "in-" means "not" and "passibilis" means "able to suffer."

Key Attributes:

  • Immutability:

    • God does not change in any way; He is perfect and unchanging.

  • Independence:

    • God is absolutely independent and not causally dependent on any other being.

  • Emotional State:

    • God does not undergo emotional changes like humans do; His will is determined from within.

Historical Context:

  • The doctrine of impassibility has been affirmed throughout Christian history, from the early church to modern theologians.

  • It serves to highlight the difference between the Creator and His creation.

  • Early church fathers, such as Augustine and Calvin, emphasized that God cannot be affected by external circumstances.

Contemporary Views:

  • While some modern theologians challenge the concept, arguing that it makes God seem distant or unfeeling, traditional views maintain that God's impassibility does not imply He is apathetic.

  • Instead, it underscores His perfection and the assurance that His promises remain constant, regardless of human actions or emotions.

Conclusion

  • Divine impassibility is a significant attribute that reflects God's nature as unchanging and independent.

  • It helps believers understand the distinction between God and humanity, providing comfort in the belief that God remains steadfast and reliable.