Divine simplicity is a theological doctrine that states God is without parts or composition. This doctrine has been an important concept in classical theism and philosophical theology for centuries. The general idea behind divine simplicity is that God is absolutely simple, meaning He is not composed of parts and is completely indivisible. This sets God apart from all created things, which are complex and made up of different elements. Divine simplicity aims to safeguard God’s transcendence and underscores that God’s essence is identical to His existence. Here is an overview of what the doctrine of divine simplicity entails:
God is Non-Composite
The doctrine of divine simplicity states that God is non-composite, meaning He is not made up of any parts. Everything that exists in God is identical with His essence. There is no composition or distinction between God’s attributes and His essence. For example, God’s love is not a quality that is added to or distinct from His essence – rather, God’s essence simply is love. The same applies to all of God’s attributes like wisdom, justice, omnipotence, etc. In created things, a being’s properties are distinct from its essence or nature. But in God, His properties are identical to His essence. There is no multiplicity or divisions within God’s nature. He is completely unified and indivisible.
God is His Existence
Another important aspect of divine simplicity is that God is identical with His existence. In everything else that exists, a being’s essence is distinct from its existence. For example, a chair has an essence of “chairness” but it relies on an external cause to actually exist. But in God, His essence does not differ from His existence. God’s essential nature is to exist – He simply is pure being or existence itself. So while we humans and all other contingent things require an external factor to cause us to exist, God exists by a necessity of His own nature. His essence necessitates His existence. This also means that God is immutable and self-sufficient, since His existence is not dependent on anything outside Himself.
God is Absolute Unity
Divine simplicity also underscores God’s absolute unity. Theologians state God is so radically one that no multiplicity can be found in Him. There are not manifold centers of consciousness within God, no parts or subdivisions. God is not composed of a body and soul, mind and will, essence and energies, or any other components. There is no real distinction between God’s nature and His attributes. Any perceived distinctions are merely conceptual. In actuality, God is utterly simple and completely unified in His being. This also means all of God is present in every aspect of His being – so all of God is present in every place, rather than just part of Him being present in different locations. God is simultaneously unified, indivisible, and omnipresent in all His perfections.
God is Non-Physical
Divine simplicity also suggests that God is non-physical. Created things are complex composites of matter and form. But as an absolutely simple being, God has no physical parts or composition. Most theologians affirm that God is an immaterial spirit without a material body. This means God is not extended in space, does not have spatial dimensions, and is not subject to the limitations of time and space. Of course, God may choose to manifest Himself in restricted forms for the sake of interacting with His creation, as described in theophanies of Scripture. But in His essential nature, God is an infinite, boundless, non-physical spirit.
God is Not Subject to Change
The doctrine of divine simplicity also protects God’s immutability. Created things change over time by gaining or losing properties. But God’s absolute simplicity means He cannot gain or lose any properties or attributes. There is no potential in God that has not already been fully actualized from all eternity. This means God does not change in His essential nature. He does not grow or increase. While God may change in the way He relates to creation, He himself undergoes no intrinsic change in His eternal being. He transcends the limitations and mutability of the created order. God’s simplicity grounds His immutability.
Objections to Divine Simplicity
While divine simplicity has been upheld by many theologians, it has also faced criticisms over the years. Here are some of the main objections that have been raised:
- It makes God too impersonal – God seems reduced to a simple, undifferentiated being without any real qualities or personality.
- It diminishes God’s relating to creation – If God is completely simple, how can He actually interact with the world?
- It undermines the Trinity – How can God be three distinct persons if He has no distinctions?
- It nullifies God’s attributes – If God is identical with attributes like love and justice, then are these meaningful?
- It goes against biblical testimony – Scripture seems to present God as having qualities, emotions, and interacting with people.
- It makes God utterly incomprehensible – Human minds require complexity and distinctions to comprehend reality.
In response, defenders of divine simplicity argue that God-talk is always analogical for finite minds. Some distinctions can be made in speaking of God without ultimately dividing up His unified essence. Additionally, Trinitarian formulations aim to show how three real persons subsist in the one simple divine essence. But objections remain, so divine simplicity continues to be debated.
Divine Simplicity in Christian History
The doctrine of divine simplicity has been upheld by many significant theologians throughout church history. Here is a brief overview of how the doctrine developed over the centuries:
- Church Fathers – Early church fathers emphasized God’s immutability and self-existence. Irenaeus, Athanasius, and Augustine spoke of God as simple and flawless unity.
- Medieval Theologians – Thomas Aquinas provided systematic formulation of simplicity. It meant God has no passive potential but is fully actualized being.
- Protestant Reformers – Calvin and Luther retained simplicity, stating it protects God’s aseity and reveals human dependence.
- Post-Reformation – Westminster Confession upheld simplicity. Later, Barth and 20th century theologians revived emphasis on the doctrine.
- Contemporary Theology – While still affirmed by classical theists, divine simplicity has been contested by process, open, and relational theologies.
So while details have been nuanced, divine simplicity has remained an important doctrine for theologians who uphold God’s transcendence and wish to emphasize that God is wholly other from the creation. It serves to safeguard God’s independence, eternality, and absolute distinction from all contingent reality. But some modern theologians view simplicity as making God too impersonal and distant from the world.
Simplicity in Light of Scripture
When evaluating the doctrine of divine simplicity, the ultimate question is what Scripture reveals about God’s being. Here are some Biblical texts that are relevant to this discussion:
- Deuteronomy 6:4 – The Shema affirms God is one, pointing to His unified essence.
- 1 Kings 8:27 – Heaven cannot contain God, suggesting His non-spatial essence.
- Psalm 90:2 – God is from everlasting to everlasting, indicating His self-existence.
- Psalm 102:25-27 – The creation perishes but God remains, highlighting immutability.
- Isaiah 57:15 – God inhabits eternity and transcends physical reality.
- Malachi 3:6 – God declares “I do not change,” affirming immutability.
- John 4:24 – Jesus says God is spirit, indicating no physical form.
- Acts 17:28 – In God we live and move and exist, suggesting God is non-contingent.
- James 1:17 – There is no variation or shifting shadow with God.
So Scriptural testimony does seem consistent with understanding God as spiritual, self-existent, immutable, and transcending composition. Yet texts also present God as personal, relational, loving, and even changing His mind. This continues the ongoing theological conversation about balancing God’s transcendence and immanence.
The Coherence of Divine Simplicity
When evaluating the doctrine of divine simplicity, the question of coherence ultimately arises – can absolute simplicity be coherently maintained alongside other truths about God’s nature? Here are some key issues to consider:
- Trinity – Can three persons subsist in a simple, undifferentiated essence? Trinitarian models aim for coherent accounting.
- Attributes – Are God’s qualities meaningless if essence and attributes completely identical? Analogical predication may sufficiently distinguish.
- Relationships – Does simplicity undermine God’s personal interactions? Some say God only related intrinsically to creation.
- Changeability – Can Scripture’s presentation of a living, responsive God be reconciled with immutability growing from simplicity?
- Incomprehensibility – Does divine simplicity lead to total incomprehensibility of God’s nature? But all God-talk requires analogy.
So divine simplicity raises many profound questions. Theologians upholding the doctrine attempt to offer resolutions, though some critiques persist. There are also differing models about what constitutes absolute simplicity.
Conclusions on Divine Simplicity
In conclusion, here are some key summary points on the doctrine of divine simplicity:
- Divine simplicity states that God’s essence is utterly non-composite, indivisible, and lacking any real distinctions.
- This doctrine upholds God’s transcendence and that He is wholly other from creation.
- Simplicity grounds God’s independence, self-existence, immutability, and omnipresence.
- But objections contend simplicity makes God impersonal, undermines real relations with creation, and nullifies attributes.
- Theologians have sought to maintain divine simplicity while also accounting for God’s personal qualities.
- Careful consideration must be given to how Scripture describes both God’s transcendence and His immanent involvement with creation.
- Further theological dialogue is needed, given the difficult questions simplicity raises about coherence and comprehensibility.
- Ultimately, there is mystery in grasping the perfections of an infinite, eternal God far above human understanding.
The doctrine of divine simplicity remains an important concept as theologians attempt to articulate biblical truths about God’s unique metaphysical existence over and above contingent reality. It provides a profound perspective on God’s unfathomable nature.