Divine apathy, in Christian theology, refers to the belief that God is impassible, meaning He is not subject to suffering, pain, or the influence of human emotions and passions.[1] This concept is rooted in the idea that God, as a perfect being, is beyond the reach of earthly experiences and emotional changes that characterize human life. It derives from classical theism, which portrays God as immutable, eternal, and transcendent.[2] It is distinguished from apatheia in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which refers to a state of being free from passions and desires, a concept more focused on human spiritual development.[3]
Historical development
The doctrine of divine apathy has been a subject of theological debate throughout the history of Christianity. Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, contributed significantly to the development of this idea.[4][5] They argued that God's impassibility does not mean He is indifferent to human affairs, but rather, He is above all human emotions and unaffected by them in His divine essence.[citation needed]
The concept has been both defended and critiqued. Defenders assert that divine apathy is essential to God's perfection, arguing that susceptibility to change or suffering would imply imperfection.[1] Critics argue that this concept makes God seem distant and unrelatable to human experiences.[2] They suggest that a God who experiences emotions, like love and compassion, is more consistent with the Biblical portrayal of a God deeply involved in human life.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b Sarot, Marcel (January 2001). "Does God Suffer?: A Critical Discussion of Thomas G. Weinandy's Does God Suffer?". Ars Disputandi. 1 (1): 53–61. doi:10.1080/15665399.2001.10819711. ISSN 1566-5399.
- ^ a b Root, Terry (2016-04-26). "Apathy or Passion? The New Testament View of God the Father at the Cross". Evangelical Quarterly. 88 (1): 3–21. doi:10.1163/27725472-08801001. ISSN 0014-3367.
- ^ Fagerberg, David W. (2013). On liturgical asceticism. Washington, D.C: Catholic Univ. of America Press. ISBN 978-0-8132-2117-5.
- ^ Hallman, Joseph M. (1984). "The Emotions of God in the Theology of St. Augustine". Recherches de theologie ancienne et medievale. 51: 5–19 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Dodds, Michael J. (May 1987). "St. Thomas Aquinas and the Motion of the Motionless God". New Blackfriars. 68 (805): 233–242 – via JSTOR.
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