“Incommunicable Attributes”

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In Him,

Bill

Andrewn said:

Christian theology distinguishes between “incommunicable attributes,” i.e., characteristics of God's essence that belong exclusively to him, and “communicable attributes,” i.e., those characteristics of his that God has communicated to man-whom Judeo-Christian theology believes was created in his image and likeness.

There are four incommunicable attributes, which are those features of his essence that he possesses exclusively: they mark the absolute distinction between God and his own creatures.

1) Aseity.
2) Immutability.
3) Infinity.
4) Simplicity.

It is clear that God, by definition, has aseity and infinity.

But, where do the concepts of immutability and simplicity, as applied to God, come from?

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Well much of this relates to the Christological principle of communicatio idiomatum. One thing I really like about the Lutherans and Oriental Orthodox and the Eastern Orthodox is the focus on Jesus Christ as theanthropos, uniting our humanity with His divinity and thus facilitating our salvation, through his incarnation, passion, and resurrection. We were created and recreated in the image of God on the sixth day.

As for the list of incommunicable attributes, it is generally said these are not communicated, but on the issue of simplicity, I would note that the Eastern Orthodox, without rejecting simplicity, do reject absolute divine simplicity, since the divine essence is held, as per the Cappadocians, to be inscrutable and transcending beyond our human reasoning, whereas we can know God through His essence, which is immanent. Also on a related note the Orthodox believe grace is an uncreated energy of God rather than a creature.