Something on "Divine Simplicity"

An individual asks about the idea of “divine simplicity”; is that idea correct or not?

First, perhaps, we should ask, “What is meant by 'divine simplicity'?” Depending on whom you ask, there might be more included than what I'm about to say, but, in short, the concept suggests that “God” is 1) not composed of “parts” and that 2) God's attributes are identical with His nature/essence. (Some would pack in other things like God's incomparability to creation.) Is this correct or not?

Look, one thing is clear: you'll not find the explicit term, “divine simplicity,” in the holy scriptures, but the concept, in my estimation, is evident. So, yes, I think the idea/concept is correct.

But, this does raise a few questions . . . at least one, in my mind . . .

The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, had a writing called “Dialogues,” in which his teacher, Socrates, was “on trial.” One of the interlocutors, Euthyphro – probably a real person but possibly fictitious – raises a point about “God” and asks if either 1) God is above moral law or 2) if moral law is above, governing, God. Now, perhaps, here, you start to see a problem . . . If 1) God is above moral law, then it leaves the impression that He's an dictator who sets the rules arbitrarily – in this scenario, God could (hypothetically) say that it's morally wrong to tell the truth or morally right to lie, steal, commit adultery, etc.; if 2) moral law is above, governing, God, then God ceases to be “the highest power” and has something “over” Him, in which case He ceases to be “God” (by definition).

The problem posed by Euthyphro, however, is a false dichotomy. It sets up an “either-or” where both possibilities are insufficient and thus inaccurate.

The truth of the matter is that “divine simplicity” is correct; the “moral law” flows from the very character of God; moral law for man is a revelation of God's holy character. In this case, God does not arbitrarily set the rules of moral law and call things “good” or “bad” at His own personal (unholy) direction, nor does God find Himself subject to a higher governing power; instead, “right” and “wrong” are in the very essence of God's existence and flow from His holy character.

Now, this might raise another question . . .

Does God ever “set the rules” arbitrarily? Well, this is where we need to make a distinction between 1) “moral law,” which is innate or inherent, built into the very fabric of nature/existence, and 2) “positive law,” which are cases (as a subset?) where God does arbitrarily “set the rules.” For instance, cases of “positive law” would be cases where God commands(?) things like “build an ark,” “be baptized” or “take the Lord's supper”; these things aren't inherently or innately “valuable” but they “receive value” because God gives “value” to such. So, it's not a problem that the OT characters of faith (Abraham, Moses, etc.) weren't baptized or that NT characters of faith didn't build arks – those things weren't inherently or innately valuable; they didn't have “moral” significance within the very fabric of nature/existence.

So, let's see if we can conclude . . .

First, yes, I think that the term “divine simplicity” conveys a concept that is very accurate, biblical, scriptural.

Second, I think that there are two types of “laws” or “rules”; there is “moral law,” which flows from the very character/nature of “God” and then “positive law” which isn't inherently/innately valuable but receives “value” at God's arbitrary decision, which, I might add, is still and always “in line” with God's moral, holy character.

Third, I think that we would do well spending time in looking at the scriptures that tell us about God's character or nature. It's true: God isn't a composition of parts, but, we do find that His overall character has qualities, and those qualities flow from “who He is,” His very identity. If we read the scriptures, we find out that He's a very personal God that longs to be with us (Lev. 26:11,12), who loves us (1 Jn. 4:8-16), who is rich in mercy and compassion (Exo. 34:6,7), who only “gets angry” righteously, when His love is violated (Psa. 30:5; Isa. 54:7,8), who is holy (Exo. 15:11; Isa. 5:16). Maybe, the more that we hear God speak to us about His identity (even in the difficult ethical scenarios and situations?!), the more we'll come to think noble things of Him, give Him the benefit of the doubt and wish to be like Him?