Immutability
The Case for Divine Immutability: A Biblically Minded Metaphysically Conscious Exploration
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (NRSV)
Introduction
The concept of divine immutability—that God does not change—is foundational in classical theism and Catholic theology. This attribute is not merely a doctrinal assertion but a logical necessity derived from a reasoned understanding of God’s nature. By systematically eliminating attributes associated with change—such as potentiality, dependency, temporality, materiality, and composition—we arrive at the conclusion that immutability is essential to the divine essence. This exploration aims to elucidate why God’s unchanging nature is not only reasonable but indispensable, setting the foundation for subsequent reflections on other divine attributes like perfection and actus purus (pure actuality). These discussions will ultimately lead to a comprehensive understanding of divine simplicity.
A Brief Overview
In essence, if God is truly complete and transcendent, independent of anything else, then removing all characteristics tied to dependency, potentiality, or temporality reveals His unchanging nature. There is neither need nor possibility for Him to change; His will and actions remain perfectly consistent in their engagement with creation. This approach allows us to conceive of God as immutable, providing a reasonable framework for understanding this divine attribute.
“It is impossible for God to change in any way; for God is altogether immutable.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.9, Art.1
In the created world, potentiality refers to the capacity for change or becoming something not yet realized—a seed has the potential to become a tree. However, God possesses no potentiality; He is pure act (actus purus). If God were subject to change, it would imply He is not fully actualized or perfect. Change suggests a movement toward improvement or decline, but God’s nature as pure act excludes this possibility. By removing potentiality from our understanding of God, we affirm His unchanging essence.
“God is pure actuality, without any admixture of potentiality.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.2
God as His Own Ordering Principle
A crucial aspect of understanding God’s transcendence is recognizing that God is His own ordering principle. This means that God’s existence and essence are self-determined; He is not organized, structured, or governed by anything external to Himself. His being is entirely self-sufficient and self-explanatory. This self-ordering nature implies that:
Self-Determination: God is the reason for His own existence and perfection. He does not derive His attributes or essence from any external source or prior cause.
Transcendence Over Time and Space: Since God orders Himself, He is not bound by the temporal sequences or spatial limitations that govern the created universe.
Immunity to External Influence: Nothing outside of God can affect or alter His state, further reinforcing His immutability.
By being His own ordering principle, God exists beyond the typical notions of time and causality. This concept allows us to subtract the constraints of time from His nature, understanding Him as eternally present and unchanging.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. — Revelation 1:8 (NRSV)
Building on the concept of God as His own ordering principle, we delve deeper into His transcendence. God is entirely independent, relying on nothing external to determine or order His existence. He is the self-existent One (aseity), the reason for His own being and the source of all that exists.
Time measures change by dividing existence into past, present, and future. However, because God orders Himself, He exists in an “eternal now,” transcending temporal limitations. This self-ordered existence underscores His unique ontological status and confirms that He is not subject to the progression of time.
“Eternity is the whole, simultaneous, and perfect possession of boundless life.” — Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V, Prose VI
By recognizing that God is His own ordering principle, we understand that He is not part of any sequence or hierarchy that could imply change or development. His actions and will are perfectly consistent and harmonious because they originate entirely within Himself.
Immateriality and Simplicity
Material beings are subject to change due to their materiality—trees grow, rocks erode, bodies age. Matter inherently possesses the potential for transformation. God, however, is immaterial. As St. Thomas Aquinas states:
“God is infinitely removed from matter.” — Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.1
The absence of materiality means God cannot undergo physical changes, reinforcing His immutable nature. Furthermore, anything composed of parts can change when those parts are altered or rearranged. God is simple; He is not composed of parts. His essence is identical to His existence—He is one. This divine simplicity ensures there are no components within God that could be modified, eliminating the possibility of change.
“God is altogether simple, and therefore altogether one.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.7
Because God is His own ordering principle, His simplicity is absolute. There are no divisions, distinctions, or compositions within Him that could give rise to change or variability.
Unchanging Will and Perfection
If God is unique and unified, and if He is His own ordering principle, it follows that His will is also unchanging. Unlike human wills, which are mutable and responsive to new information or desires, God’s will is fully actualized and not contingent upon anything external. His decisions and actions are a direct expression of His immutable nature.
Contemplating immutability reveals its logical connection to other divine attributes like perfection and actus purus. Immutability suggests that God is perfect, with no need for improvement or decline. Similarly, actus purus emphasizes that God is pure actuality, possessing no unrealized potential. These attributes reinforce the case for immutability, portraying God as fully actualized, independent, and beyond change.
“God possesses all perfections infinitely and supremely.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.4, Art.2
Change often arises from dependency; created beings rely on external forces or conditions, making them susceptible to change when those conditions vary. A tree depends on sunlight and water; a person’s health depends on various factors. God, however, is the uncaused cause—the ultimate source of all existence. He depends on nothing and no one.
By being His own ordering principle, God is entirely self-sufficient. This absolute independence means that nothing external can act upon God to bring about change. There are no external principles, laws, or forces that can influence His being or actions.
“God is not part of the chain of dependent beings but the ultimate cause and foundation of all existence.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.2, Art.3
Transcendence Beyond Time
Understanding God as His own ordering principle allows us to further grasp His transcendence over time. Since God is not subject to temporal sequences, He does not experience a succession of moments. He exists in an ever-present reality where past, present, and future are a singular, unchanging now.
“Remember this and consider, recall it to mind… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning…” — Isaiah 46:8–10 (NRSV)
By subtracting the typical notions of time from His nature, we affirm that God is immutable because He is not bound by temporal constraints that necessitate change. His actions are not sequential but eternally present, consistent with His self-ordered existence.
A Note on Scriptural Affirmations
The immutability of God is not only a philosophical conclusion but also a scriptural affirmation. The Bible consistently portrays God as unchanging: “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.” — Malachi 3:6 (NRSV)
The passages throughout this piece reinforce the understanding that God’s nature and promises remain constant throughout time, providing a reliable foundation for faith.
Conclusion
Through a methodical process of subtracting attributes associated with change—potentiality, dependency, temporality, materiality, and composition—and by recognizing that God is His own ordering principle, we arrive at a coherent and reasoned affirmation of God’s immutability. This immutable nature is foundational for understanding other divine attributes like perfection and actus purus, which will be explored in subsequent discussions. Collectively, these attributes pave the way toward a robust understanding of divine simplicity, offering a comprehensive view of God’s unchanging and perfect nature.
“God is wholly actual and therefore cannot change.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.2
For Christians, God’s immutability is especially significant because it assures us that His love, justice, and promises are eternal and unfaltering.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” — 1 John 4:8 (NRSV)
Understanding that God is His own ordering principle enhances our comprehension of His transcendence and immutability. It emphasizes that God’s existence is entirely self-sufficient and independent of any external factors, reinforcing the logical necessity of His unchanging nature.
Bibliography
1. St. Augustine, Confessions, Book I, Chapter IV “For Thou wast, and besides Thee nothing was; and yet, from Thee, was everything created.” Reflects on God’s eternal nature and creative power, highlighting the contrast between the unchanging God and the mutable world.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica “God is pure actuality, without any admixture of potentiality.” (I, Q.3, Art.2) Foundational to understanding immutability.
3. “It is impossible for God to change in any way; for God is altogether immutable.” (I, Q.9, Art.1) Elaborates on God’s simplicity excluding any form of change.
4. “God is infinitely removed from matter.” (I, Q.3, Art.1) Explains that God’s immaterial nature reinforces His immutability.
5. “God is not part of the chain of dependent beings but the ultimate cause and foundation of all existence.” (I, Q.2, Art.3) Shows how God’s independence ensures His immutability.
6. “God is altogether simple, and therefore altogether one.” (I, Q.3, Art.7) Reinforces that God’s simplicity excludes any form of change.
7. “God possesses all perfections infinitely and supremely.” (I, Q.4, Art.2) Links divine immutability with perfection. Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V, Prose VI “Eternity is the whole, simultaneous, and perfect possession of boundless life.” Defines eternity as God’s existence outside time.
8. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
9. Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.”
10. Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
11. Isaiah 46:8–10 Emphasizes God’s uniqueness and foreknowledge.
12. 1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (NRSV)
Introduction
The concept of divine immutability—that God does not change—is foundational in classical theism and Catholic theology. This attribute is not merely a doctrinal assertion but a logical necessity derived from a reasoned understanding of God’s nature. By systematically eliminating attributes associated with change—such as potentiality, dependency, temporality, materiality, and composition—we arrive at the conclusion that immutability is essential to the divine essence. This exploration aims to elucidate why God’s unchanging nature is not only reasonable but indispensable, setting the foundation for subsequent reflections on other divine attributes like perfection and actus purus (pure actuality). These discussions will ultimately lead to a comprehensive understanding of divine simplicity.
A Brief Overview
In essence, if God is truly complete and transcendent, independent of anything else, then removing all characteristics tied to dependency, potentiality, or temporality reveals His unchanging nature. There is neither need nor possibility for Him to change; His will and actions remain perfectly consistent in their engagement with creation. This approach allows us to conceive of God as immutable, providing a reasonable framework for understanding this divine attribute.
“It is impossible for God to change in any way; for God is altogether immutable.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.9, Art.1
In the created world, potentiality refers to the capacity for change or becoming something not yet realized—a seed has the potential to become a tree. However, God possesses no potentiality; He is pure act (actus purus). If God were subject to change, it would imply He is not fully actualized or perfect. Change suggests a movement toward improvement or decline, but God’s nature as pure act excludes this possibility. By removing potentiality from our understanding of God, we affirm His unchanging essence.
“God is pure actuality, without any admixture of potentiality.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.2
God as His Own Ordering Principle
A crucial aspect of understanding God’s transcendence is recognizing that God is His own ordering principle. This means that God’s existence and essence are self-determined; He is not organized, structured, or governed by anything external to Himself. His being is entirely self-sufficient and self-explanatory. This self-ordering nature implies that:
Self-Determination: God is the reason for His own existence and perfection. He does not derive His attributes or essence from any external source or prior cause.
Transcendence Over Time and Space: Since God orders Himself, He is not bound by the temporal sequences or spatial limitations that govern the created universe.
Immunity to External Influence: Nothing outside of God can affect or alter His state, further reinforcing His immutability.
By being His own ordering principle, God exists beyond the typical notions of time and causality. This concept allows us to subtract the constraints of time from His nature, understanding Him as eternally present and unchanging.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. — Revelation 1:8 (NRSV)
Building on the concept of God as His own ordering principle, we delve deeper into His transcendence. God is entirely independent, relying on nothing external to determine or order His existence. He is the self-existent One (aseity), the reason for His own being and the source of all that exists.
Time measures change by dividing existence into past, present, and future. However, because God orders Himself, He exists in an “eternal now,” transcending temporal limitations. This self-ordered existence underscores His unique ontological status and confirms that He is not subject to the progression of time.
“Eternity is the whole, simultaneous, and perfect possession of boundless life.” — Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V, Prose VI
By recognizing that God is His own ordering principle, we understand that He is not part of any sequence or hierarchy that could imply change or development. His actions and will are perfectly consistent and harmonious because they originate entirely within Himself.
Immateriality and Simplicity
Material beings are subject to change due to their materiality—trees grow, rocks erode, bodies age. Matter inherently possesses the potential for transformation. God, however, is immaterial. As St. Thomas Aquinas states:
“God is infinitely removed from matter.” — Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.1
The absence of materiality means God cannot undergo physical changes, reinforcing His immutable nature. Furthermore, anything composed of parts can change when those parts are altered or rearranged. God is simple; He is not composed of parts. His essence is identical to His existence—He is one. This divine simplicity ensures there are no components within God that could be modified, eliminating the possibility of change.
“God is altogether simple, and therefore altogether one.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.7
Because God is His own ordering principle, His simplicity is absolute. There are no divisions, distinctions, or compositions within Him that could give rise to change or variability.
Unchanging Will and Perfection
If God is unique and unified, and if He is His own ordering principle, it follows that His will is also unchanging. Unlike human wills, which are mutable and responsive to new information or desires, God’s will is fully actualized and not contingent upon anything external. His decisions and actions are a direct expression of His immutable nature.
Contemplating immutability reveals its logical connection to other divine attributes like perfection and actus purus. Immutability suggests that God is perfect, with no need for improvement or decline. Similarly, actus purus emphasizes that God is pure actuality, possessing no unrealized potential. These attributes reinforce the case for immutability, portraying God as fully actualized, independent, and beyond change.
“God possesses all perfections infinitely and supremely.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.4, Art.2
Change often arises from dependency; created beings rely on external forces or conditions, making them susceptible to change when those conditions vary. A tree depends on sunlight and water; a person’s health depends on various factors. God, however, is the uncaused cause—the ultimate source of all existence. He depends on nothing and no one.
By being His own ordering principle, God is entirely self-sufficient. This absolute independence means that nothing external can act upon God to bring about change. There are no external principles, laws, or forces that can influence His being or actions.
“God is not part of the chain of dependent beings but the ultimate cause and foundation of all existence.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.2, Art.3
Transcendence Beyond Time
Understanding God as His own ordering principle allows us to further grasp His transcendence over time. Since God is not subject to temporal sequences, He does not experience a succession of moments. He exists in an ever-present reality where past, present, and future are a singular, unchanging now.
“Remember this and consider, recall it to mind… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning…” — Isaiah 46:8–10 (NRSV)
By subtracting the typical notions of time from His nature, we affirm that God is immutable because He is not bound by temporal constraints that necessitate change. His actions are not sequential but eternally present, consistent with His self-ordered existence.
A Note on Scriptural Affirmations
The immutability of God is not only a philosophical conclusion but also a scriptural affirmation. The Bible consistently portrays God as unchanging: “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.” — Malachi 3:6 (NRSV)
The passages throughout this piece reinforce the understanding that God’s nature and promises remain constant throughout time, providing a reliable foundation for faith.
Conclusion
Through a methodical process of subtracting attributes associated with change—potentiality, dependency, temporality, materiality, and composition—and by recognizing that God is His own ordering principle, we arrive at a coherent and reasoned affirmation of God’s immutability. This immutable nature is foundational for understanding other divine attributes like perfection and actus purus, which will be explored in subsequent discussions. Collectively, these attributes pave the way toward a robust understanding of divine simplicity, offering a comprehensive view of God’s unchanging and perfect nature.
“God is wholly actual and therefore cannot change.” — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, I, Q.3, Art.2
For Christians, God’s immutability is especially significant because it assures us that His love, justice, and promises are eternal and unfaltering.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” — 1 John 4:8 (NRSV)
Understanding that God is His own ordering principle enhances our comprehension of His transcendence and immutability. It emphasizes that God’s existence is entirely self-sufficient and independent of any external factors, reinforcing the logical necessity of His unchanging nature.
Bibliography
1. St. Augustine, Confessions, Book I, Chapter IV “For Thou wast, and besides Thee nothing was; and yet, from Thee, was everything created.” Reflects on God’s eternal nature and creative power, highlighting the contrast between the unchanging God and the mutable world.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica “God is pure actuality, without any admixture of potentiality.” (I, Q.3, Art.2) Foundational to understanding immutability.
3. “It is impossible for God to change in any way; for God is altogether immutable.” (I, Q.9, Art.1) Elaborates on God’s simplicity excluding any form of change.
4. “God is infinitely removed from matter.” (I, Q.3, Art.1) Explains that God’s immaterial nature reinforces His immutability.
5. “God is not part of the chain of dependent beings but the ultimate cause and foundation of all existence.” (I, Q.2, Art.3) Shows how God’s independence ensures His immutability.
6. “God is altogether simple, and therefore altogether one.” (I, Q.3, Art.7) Reinforces that God’s simplicity excludes any form of change.
7. “God possesses all perfections infinitely and supremely.” (I, Q.4, Art.2) Links divine immutability with perfection. Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V, Prose VI “Eternity is the whole, simultaneous, and perfect possession of boundless life.” Defines eternity as God’s existence outside time.
8. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
9. Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.”
10. Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
11. Isaiah 46:8–10 Emphasizes God’s uniqueness and foreknowledge.
12. 1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
