Moderator
Dr. Stephan Beall
Location
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Start Date
12-4-2014 11:00 AM
End Date
12-4-2014 12:00 PM
Abstract
“Classical theism,” refers to St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, which is also known as the Doctrine of God. Over time there have been many people who have affirmed Aquinas’ teachings about God, while others have strongly disagreed and worked to disprove him. Aquinas’ critics often try to debunk one if not all of the seven attributes he gives to God: simplicity, impassability, immutability, perfection, infinite, eternal, and his oneness. The final six attributes all stem from God’s simplicity, and if any of them can be disproven then simplicity is also disproven thus rendering all of Aquinas’ work in the De Deo Uno invalid. Unfortunately these critics misunderstand the purpose of the De Deo Uno; it is meant to be a guide for what language we use about God, not a definitive definition for Him. In addition to misunderstanding the mission of the De Deo Uno these critics also overlook the very topic Aquinas stressed the most: we can never truly know God’s essence because God is beyond our abilities to comprehend.
The Challenge of God
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
“Classical theism,” refers to St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, which is also known as the Doctrine of God. Over time there have been many people who have affirmed Aquinas’ teachings about God, while others have strongly disagreed and worked to disprove him. Aquinas’ critics often try to debunk one if not all of the seven attributes he gives to God: simplicity, impassability, immutability, perfection, infinite, eternal, and his oneness. The final six attributes all stem from God’s simplicity, and if any of them can be disproven then simplicity is also disproven thus rendering all of Aquinas’ work in the De Deo Uno invalid. Unfortunately these critics misunderstand the purpose of the De Deo Uno; it is meant to be a guide for what language we use about God, not a definitive definition for Him. In addition to misunderstanding the mission of the De Deo Uno these critics also overlook the very topic Aquinas stressed the most: we can never truly know God’s essence because God is beyond our abilities to comprehend.
