CHAPTERS 30 AND 31CHAPTERS 30 AND 31

Geisler, NormanGeisler, NormanSystematic Theology IISystematic Theology II

PowerPoint by Dr. Mark E. Hardgrove

Chapter 30Chapter 30

God’s Pure Actuality and God’s Pure Actuality and SimplicitySimplicity

For test purposes pay close attention to biblical support for the attributes highlighted in chapter 30.

God’s Pure Actuality and SimplicityGod’s Pure Actuality and Simplicity

Actuality—that which is in act or that which is (existence). This is in contrast to “potentiality”—that which can be, or potential for existence.

Pure actuality is that which has no potential to not exist or to be anything other than it is.

Pure actuality has no potential of any kind, to say nothing of the potential to cease to exist.

It is pure act.

Biblical Basis for God’s Pure Biblical Basis for God’s Pure ActualityActuality

God exists independently of all else: Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:17; Ps. 90:2; Rev. 1:8; Rev. 1:17; John 17:5, cf. 17:24; Rev. 13:8; 17:8.

God gives existence to everything else: Gen. 1:1; Gen. 1:21; John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11; Acts 17:25; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:2; Heb. 2:10.

God is pure existence: Ex. 3:14; John 8:58, 59.

The Theological Basis for God’s Pure The Theological Basis for God’s Pure ActualityActuality

Pure actuality follows from God’s “uncausality.” God is the uncaused Cause of everything that exists.

Pure actuality follows from God’s Necessity. A necessary Being is by definition on who cannot not exist.

God’s SimplicityGod’s Simplicity

“Simple means without parts, for

what has parts can come apart.

Simple also means indivisible; that is, God is not capable of being divided.” Geisler, p. 39

ConclusionConclusion

God’s pure actuality is fundamental to the classical orthodox view of God, from it all the other basic metaphysical attributes can be derived.

The simplicity (indivisibility) of God is also a fundamental attribute of classical theism. Simplicity undergirds not only many of the other crucial attributes of God but also all other doctrines based on them.

Chapter 31Chapter 31

God’s Aseity and NecessityGod’s Aseity and Necessity

For test purposes pay close attention to biblical support for the attributes highlighted in chapter 31.

God’s AseityGod’s Aseity

Definition of God’s Aseity: “Aseity comes from the Latin aseite, meaning literally “of oneself.” Used of God, it denotes that He exists in and of Himself, independent of anything else. He is self-existent.”

~Geisler, p. 58

God’s Necessity, p. 64God’s Necessity, p. 64

A necessary Being is one whose nonexistence is impossible; that is, if a necessary Being exists, then He must exist necessarily. This can be stated in at least four ways. A necessary Being is

(1)A Being whose nonexistence is not possible;(2)A Being whose existence is essential;(3)A Being whose essence is to exist;(4)A Being whose essence and existence are

identical.

God’s Necessity, p. 64God’s Necessity, p. 64

In contrast to a necessary Being, a contingent being is

(1)A being whose nonexistence is possible;(2)A being whose existence is not essential;(3)A being whose essence is not to exist;(4)A being whose essence and existence are not

identical.

{Be able to discuss the contrast between a necessary Being and a contingent being.}

Biblical and Theological Biblical and Theological Basis for God’s NecessityBasis for God’s Necessity

Biblical BasisGen. 1:1 Ps. 90:2John 1:3 Acts 17:25Rom. 11:36Col. 1:16Rev. 1:8; 3:14

SummarySummary

“God has both aseity and necessity; His existence is inherent and necessary. He exists in Himself, and He cannot not exist. Unlike creatures, whose existence is derived from another and is contingent, God’s existence is both uncaused and independent.”

~Geisler, p. 72