Divine apathy

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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

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. ↑ Fagerberg, David W. (2013). On liturgical asceticism. Washington, D.C: Catholic Univ. of America Press. ISBN   978-0-8132-2117-5.
  4. ↑ Hallman, Joseph M. (1984). "The Emotions of God in the Theology of St. Augustine". Recherches de theologie ancienne et medievale. 51: 5–19. JSTOR   26188834.
  5. ↑ Dodds, Michael J. (May 1987). "St. Thomas Aquinas and the Motion of the Motionless God". New Blackfriars. 68 (805): 233–242. doi:10.1111/j.1741-2005.1987.tb01247.x. JSTOR   43249553.


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