The Divine Attributes (Aquinas 101)

[@tropifiori]

I spent 14 years in a Dominican Parish ( Charlottesville). The homilies were wonderful. I was inspired to try to read Aquinas myself and just couldn't get through it. These short clips of clearly explained points is wonderful for me as a lay person with no theologic grounding. Thanks for doing this Friars. Frank

[@ThomisticInstitute]

That's great to hear. We're delighted to have the feedback!

[@alfredobarrios1095]

Reading Aquinas is hard, indeed. These clips help a lot! I am currently doing the Aquinas 101 course and it's amazing! They not only send you these clips in an understandable order for a progressive knowledge, but also explain each topic by giving you fragments of primary sources (St. Thomas Aquinas' writtings, Aristotles', etc.) and, then, sometimes, comments of modern theologians and all! This is often accompanied by links to podcasts, more videos and other lectures! The effort put in all this is astonishing. And don't be scared, for even I, a layman who can't read more than 2 pages of philosopical texts in an hour, am doing well in Aquinas 101. Fully recommend it! aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org/registration-full-course

[@TheAngelicDoctor]

Hey I've attended St.Thomas Aquinas parish! small world.

[@judepaulthomas7965]

@@ThomisticInstitute Thank you for sharing great videos like this. I do agree with Divine Simplicity---God being Simple. I would like to ask for your thoughts about other claims that God is Immaterial BUT composed of body parts since humans are *created in His Image*, thus, God also has eyes, ears, hands etc. What would be the best response? Thank you!

[@patgabriel6575]

There is no more sublime spiritual exercise than to think deeply about God. Thanks to the Thomistic Institute for facilitating this kind of spiritual exercise.

[@leew3365]

Mind blowing! God does not exist in space and time, He does not begin in point A and think His way to point B, He simply knows. Perfection of knowledge, He IS.

[@brianw.5230]

Father Thomas Joseph White is the man.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Indeed.

[@gamers7800]

He certainly is, probably the best theologian we have in the church right now. 👍

[@gregorythorne6101]

I agree, and I take every one of these TI presenters as spiritual guides... But Father Thomas does take us into another ambit for sure. 🤔

[@fernandolh6538]

00:50 8 Divine atributes: simplicity, perfection, goodness, infinity, omnipresence, immutability, eternity, and unity 01:10 In the STh: simplicity and perfection 01:30 Divine Simplicity: 4 ways to explain non-composition: 1) humans are embodied souls, not so God who is inmaterial (01:48 and following); 2) humans are individuals with commun nature (02:15); not so God: He is only One, entierely Unique 3) God is and existis by His own self; we receive life, existence and being (03:25 and ff.); He alone can say "I am" 4) God is simply His Knwoledge and His Love (04:15 and ff.) not 'perfectable': He es Love, Wisdom, Goodness in pure actuality 05:30 Divine Perfection: God is above finite realizations of properties and perfections; Perfection in God = mystery of Life, Being, Goodness... 05:57 God's Simplicity ---> immutability, eternity, omnipresence; Perfection ----> goodness, infinity, unity 06:20 Let's grow closer to God by knowledge and by love! (veritas in caritate, caritas in veritate!!)

[@fifty5712]

Thank you!

[@mauijttewaal]

Awesome!

[@atetanka9307]

Thank you.

[@lupecajero7295]

Thank you!!!

[@eugengolubic2186]

I heard about you from Matt Fradd's interview of Gregory Pine. I'm very glad I subscribed. When it comes to divine simplicity and God's attributes, I don't know much, so I can't embrace any view. One of the rare things I can endorse is that God is simple and we know more what He is not, instead of what He is. Excellent work!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Cheers!

[@lectorintellegat]

Amen, brothers.

[@ethanboy2802]

Truly, brothers. I give you my sign of gratitude and respect. And God bless you all.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're most welcome! Thank you for watching, and may the Lord bless you!

[@josephmartin6219]

I feel I just attended a Benediction! Thank you Father!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. May the Lord bless you!

[@lupecajero7295]

Thank you so much for teaching us more about God. How I wish I could get a Ph.D. on Divinity and Theology. Pray for me everyone. Thank you.

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📖 The tradition of attributing properties to God and discussing divine attributes can be found in both the Bible and ancient philosophy. 01:19 🕊️ Divine simplicity means that God is not composed or complex; He is immaterial, not a composite of body and soul like humans. 02:44 🙏 God is the only one with divine nature; He is unique as the giver of being to all things. Only God has deity. 03:37 🌟 God does not depend on others for existence; it is of His nature to exist, and He is pure existence. 05:04 🧠 God is His knowledge and love, not evolving like humans. He is subsistent wisdom and love. God's divine perfection is based on pure actuality, not potentiality. 06:24 📚 Aquinas's exploration of divine attributes, like simplicity and perfection, leads to a deeper understanding of God and a spiritual ascent of the intellect. Made with HARPA AI

[@aiantenor9080]

Thank you Fr White

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. May the Lord bless you!

[@kristindreko1998]

Thank you for this video! May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you!

[@SedContraApologia]

Go TI institute! Amazing stuff!! Keep it coming! God bless this work!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thank you!

[@blueskymoon1planetearth309]

So short explanations, clear and simple: I like it and I take my own notes!!! Thanks.TI

[@ThomisticInstitute]

@@blueskymoon1planetearth309 Cheers!

[@maryjohnstone4777]

A lovely ,delightful video about and His endless qualities of love ,power and more? Thanks Fr.such a beautifully delivered talk.G B U.

[@byron8657]

St John of the Cross described our Lord God Jesus Christ as The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us! Our Lord Jesus Christ is both Perfect Man and Perfect God! Without Love in our hearts we will not have knowledge and relationship with God for God is Love! St John of the Cross

[@rileydavidjesus]

Game to this video by way of a thought: "Meditate on the qualities of God."

[@lupecajero7295]

Best thing to do in order to understand and obtain knowledge of God; pray for discernment prior to the meditation, too.

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:50 💡 *God's divine attributes, such as simplicity and perfection, have been extensively discussed throughout history by philosophers and theologians.* 01:49 🌟 *God's simplicity means He is not composed of parts like humans are, being wholly immaterial and without a body.* 02:44 🔄 *Unlike creatures, God is unique, not sharing His essence with others, and He alone possesses divine nature.* 03:37 🕊️ *God's existence is not dependent on anything external; He is the giver of being to all things, with existence being essential to His nature.* 04:35 💭 *Unlike humans who can acquire knowledge and virtues, God simply is His knowledge and love, being inherently wise and loving.* 05:30 🌀 *God's perfection implies that He possesses all perfections without limitations or potential for change, being above finite realizations of properties.*

[@LordDorian5150]

God told me to tell you guys the audio could use a good boost. This isnt a library, no need to whisper😅

[@maryjohnstone4777]

Thanks a ever for a lovely video ,helping one to understand a bit more who/ what God is ?.

[@MargaretMcCloskey-d1i]

Father, I have a question. Can we really know that God doesn’t have a body? If we are made in his image, isn’t it possible that He could have a body? Thank you for your podcasts? I do love them. God bless and prayers, Joyce.

[@dynamic9016]

Insightful.

[@hopesonhigh]

I have a question: is Gratitude an attribute of God? Is God grateful when we do something for Him?

[@kiarahenson5689]

This was truly amazing

[@triroa]

Can you make a video about Divine simplicity and its relation to the Trinity? Thank you!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Currently not in the plans, but perhaps for a future series! In the meantime, you might enjoy this lecture from Michael Gorman (soundcloud.com/thomisticinstitute/divine-unity-and-simplicity-dr-michael-gorman), this lecture from Ed Feser (soundcloud.com/thomisticinstitute/the-divine-attributes-god-as-perfectly-simple-and-perfectly-good-prof-edward-feser), or this podcast from Fr. Gregory Pine (player.fm/series/pints-with-aquinas-2391170/ep-176-divine-simplicity-william-lane-craig-w-fr-gregory-pine)

[@robcassman]

Are the separate properties (e.g. goodness and omniscience) disctinct from each other and therefore evidence contrary to simplicity?

[@crusaderACR]

One derives from the other. It's all just one big attribute where everything else comes from. God is he who is. Goodness can be derived from his perfection. Perfection is derived from how change/improvement is impossible, because God is pure actuality. God cannot change, thus God doesn't "learn" anything, God just knows. Not being bound by spacetime, nor by any capacity/need to learn, is where his omniscience comes from. The timeline would "look" like one single instant, start to finish. Not that instants or sight makes sense when it comes to God. I tried my best, but it's difficult to explain. Knowledge, wisdom, goodness, mean entirely different things when applied to God. All just a bunch of human words trying to make analogs for God by using our mortal experience. It's not completely futile, but it's a struggle. The Lord is he who is, that's all.

[@emilesturt3377]

I would say that that only when Greek philosophical speculations about the nature of the One override the Scriptural revelation of the Triune God, do we then have to resort to the conclusion that there are no "actual" distinctions within the simple God: the distinctions between nature and person; between person and will; and between will and "outward" attributes... if not, God cannot think; he cannot choose to will; and cannot freely manifest that will, and creation is therefore a necessity and not an act of love (in my opinion) : ) Let us remember that it was Aquinas himself, who, after years of seeking to rationally synthesise certain philosophical traditions, had an experience of the Living God which made him conclude that all his writings were "as straw"

[@robcassman]

@@emilesturt3377 thank you. I'd love more on this topic.

[@crusaderACR]

@@emilesturt3377 Ok, I respect your position but let me push back a little if you're alright with that. We could also argue that the Ancient Greeks managed to learn some truths about God (however imperfectly, as they lacked Divine Revelation) by reason alone. Justin Martyr (in the 2nd century!) called them Proto-Christians. Catholic Theology has always stressed that there's much to learn from other religions and philosophies, e.g. St. Augustine dialogued with Jewish Rabbis in order to gain further insights on the Old Testament. So, what about those seemingly contradictory parts, that talk about God thinking, God deciding, God regretting, or even God changing His mind? Jews making a sacrifice to "remind" God of His covenant? The answer is "condescension". God doesn't change his mind, no argument is beyond the knowledge of Him who knows the heart and mind of all beings. Condescension is when God "lowers" Himself to a level and language that can be understood by mortal beings that cannot hope to truly understand or survive an encounter in God's full glory. Creation was not a necessity insofar God's hands were tied. It was a guarantee only for the fact that God is omniscient so He can make the best decision, and there's no factor He could've forgotten to consider. However, as you rightly said, all this tall we're doing could very well be "as straw" and we're completely off the mark. Unfortunately, we don't know what the Angelic Doctor discovered in his experience. I'd give an arm and a leg for that knowledge!

[@emilesturt3377]

@@robcassman If you overlook the occasional problems with his personality, his occasional overly conspiratorial view of world affairs, and the (largely undue) criticisms from your fellow Roman Catholics, then, if you've not seen it before, the "Eastern and Latin Theology and the Essence - Energy Distinction" vid by Jay Dyer here on KZbin is very, very, very (did I say very) good! . A brilliant communicator communicating a thorough balanced overview : )

[@maxalaintwo3578]

Very cool and informative video! The Trequetra being the representation for God in this video kinda creeps me out in some abstract way

[@lupecajero7295]

What is the Trequetra? Pardon my ignorance; did I miss something in the video?

[@maxalaintwo3578]

@@lupecajero7295 the three-pointed shape that used in the video to represent God

[@lupecajero7295]

@@maxalaintwo3578 Thank you for responding to my question; I really appreciate it. Gob bless.

[@miguellozano7130]

How is Jesus growing in wisdom explained ?

[@anthonyp6055]

"'Truly this is the Son of God;' however wilfully the Jews, both the ancient and these modern, shut fast their eyes, lest they see that to advance in wisdom is not the advance of Wisdom Itself, but rather the manhood's advance in It. For 'Jesus advanced in wisdom and grace;' and, if we may speak what is explanatory as well as true, He advanced in Himself; for 'Wisdom built herself a house,' and in herself she gave the house advancement." - St. Athanasius The Great - (From Discourse 3 Against The Arians)

[@joonie8103]

How we have his holy spirit ? Is there an article or a video about this ? What exactly are we united with ?

[@kellyblakeborough3371]

A brain fart topic and thank you for explaining it

[@fr.chrispietraszko1234]

Typically, in the metaphysics, we understand being as more general than the true or good, since the true or good add specificity to being, inasmuch as the good qualifies being in regard to some perfection of an appetite or the true, in regard to the intellect. My question is, therefore, is it correct to say that in God, according to Divine Simplicity, such a kind of hierarchy whereby such qualifications are made in regard to being are not possible. So for instance, in as much as the will is distinct from man's knowledge, in God such a distinction is not actual. Thus, those who suggest that God's knowledge (all-knowing) causes his will to act in a certain manner (necessary) is setting up a type of causal hierarchy of attributes or parts within God that doesn't actually exist as such. Rather God's knowledge and will are somehow the same simple substance.

[@ΓραικοςΕλληνας]

Are the attributes of God created or Uncreated when they are operated in the creation?

[@josephmariaotf]

The attributes of God are uncreated just as He is uncreated. His attributes operate in creation all the time through His Providence.

[@ΓραικοςΕλληνας]

@@josephmariaotf so then absolute divine simplicity is wrong

[@Jrayhood]

can you address the view of the essence -energy distinction taught by gregory of palamas which is embraced by the orthodox churches? should catholics consider this doctrine in conflict with the absolute divine simplicity taught by st. thomas aquinas ?

[@toahordika6]

Check out the channel Mathoma. He has a recording of a very good dissertation by a Dominican on the matter.

[@jakop8029]

What about God's Holiness and he hate sin ?

[@mikeschmoll7762]

"He receives his being from no one" But is it not the case, that the Son derived its essence from the father in all eternity? How can we say that Jesus is God and saying he is dependent in that sense above on the father?

[@al4381]

Because the Son exists by His own necessity, by virtue of being necessary in the Father. The Father is not Word-less, and does not change, and as such the Son is begotten of the Father eternally and necessarily

[@manuelemariani4609]

Plotinus was a POST-Christian greek philosopher, not PRE-Christian

[@ElenaAshe]

Is Jesus still fully God and fully man in Heaven? How did Aquinas explain this?

[@LOVRO257]

Is there a philosophical proof that God is good? #askafriar

[@luisamariavillegaslopez5822]

👏👏👏

[@jeanlucamade2397]

I love the thomistic teaching about absolute divine simplicity. But it seems quite weird that christianity cannot just stay there, but constructs a doctrine of trinity upon it and then the theologians make a huge dance to explain why it is not a contradiction.

[@keylanaomi3936]

But Jesus has physical body? Does it make Him less God? Moreover, if saying after resurrection, he is truely God, then does it mean that at that time, he has no physical body?

[@josephmariaotf]

Yes, Jesus does has a physical body. No, Jesus' divine and human natures are distinct, unaltered and He is perfect in both; He is just as human as you and Adam and just as God as the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus has a human body since His incarnation through the Virgin Mary, through out His life, death and resurrection; He has a(n) (alive) human body, just as His Mother, in Heaven as we speak.

[@AUGUSTINEMINH]

But isnt it that Jesus also has a body and a soul?

[@josephmariaotf]

Yes, by His human nature, not by His divine (eternal) one.

[@ciscodealmeida8541]

I have Studied the Scriptures for decades, also many books related,heard of Aquinas for decades but never got down to read his works until now,well i am glad i never wasted my time, not only he contradicts the scriptures too many times, but has little to none understanding of Spirit and Soul not to mention Angels, you guys placed him too high on your pedestal , i have listened to all your vedeos with hope to learn something.. Had i seen his works sooner in life i would probably become an Atheist.

[@hunterstephens4541]

Just being honest, after 3 minutes he starts to sound like mini-Ben Stein. I think he's better for short videos.

[@McRingil]

shut up, fr Thomas White is the most intelligent guy here

[@prayerwarrior3408]

Hunter Stephens we reveal ourself in our greatest accusations I thought he sounded a lot like mr Gregory Pine

[@CleverMonkeyArt]

God has no body. And yet, somehow He is a "he". Not just using any available personal pronoun, never "she", always "he", along with other mostly masculine anthropomorphic attributes that describe "his" nature (although also always denying that if there is a "he" there must be a "she"). I think this is another case of Aquinas, et al, starting from a place of already believing in this God and then setting out to prove it or describe it. Even though I am a believer, and an avid studier of scripture, the way the good father goes through this argument for God says more about us than about "it". This must be acknowledged. These arguments represent an attempt to comprehend what we believe to be real, but are at best analogical or figurative, not objective or factual.

[@josephmariaotf]

You're an embarrassing self-proclaimed “believer” and “avid studier of scripture” that pointlessly problematizes God's pronouns (even calling Him an “it”) while trying to sound smart, even though He is-every single time- referred -including by Himself- by masculine pronouns in Holy Scripture; the very same ones you pretentiously proclaim to be “an avid studier of” as if you fooled someone, without seeing how that's ridiculous.

[@GuillermoSanchez-fu2pu]

Why can't God be evil?

[@josephmariaotf]

Because God is perfect.

[@rumplestillskin6424]

Don't cut yourself off . Holy land holy people be as holy as I am holy .why would you not except these aspects of spirit which is pure programming. 😢

[@MargaretMcCloskey-d1i]

Father, I have a question. Can we really know that God doesn’t have a body? If we are made in his image, isn’t it possible that He could have a body? Thank you for your podcasts? I do love them. God bless and prayers, Joyce.