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Classical theism is the form of theism in which God is characterized as the singular Absolute Being, Absolute Self, and Ultimate Person who is the source and origin of all the other beings.

The central insight of classical theism is divine simplicity, according to which God does not consist of a combination of different elements, but is absolute and singular. There is no difference between God's essence and existence. Unlike entities, God does not contain potentiality, It is pure existential actuality; and all existence except God is a limited state of the unlimited existence of God's absolute singularity. All existence emanates from and rests on God independently of time, for God is the timeless absolute source and ultimate condition of all existence.^[1]

Understanding of God

Classical theism holds that God is both immanent and transcendent to all of existence. According to classical theism, God is singular and has such qualities as immutability, impenetrability, and transcendence of time.^[2]^[3] In classical theism, it is accepted that "created" beings (all beings, conscious or unconscious, except God Himself) are conditioned and dependent at all times on God, the Ultimate Being and Absolute Self, for their existence.^[4] God is the Ultimate Being who requires no conditions for his existence; Although singular, He has everything that exists or has the potential to exist, and all other beings arise from the absolute existential presence found in God, so God is the Ultimate Source and Origin of all beings.

Arguments for Classical Theism

Ontological

In the understanding of classical theism, God is conceived as the timeless absolute source and unconditional condition of all existence.^[1] The expression ho ou kinoúmenon kineî ("He who moves without being moved") used by Aristotle characterizes God in the classical theistic context,^[1] with the example that the movement of the entire universe depends on God. In classical theism, since God is not only the source of all material entities but of existence as a whole, it is the Singular Being that is also the source of consciousness, personality, and self, it is itself conscious, self, and the Absolute Self.^[1]

Cup and integrity example

The Existence of a cup as a whole depends on the existence of the molecules that make up the cup as a whole, and the existence of molecules as a whole depends on the integrity of the atoms that make up those molecules. In this context, no totality of existence exists as a whole on its own, except for an absolute source, which is the ultimate condition of integrity, because the holistic existence of each is conditioned to a higher source that integrates itself.

It is necessary for there to be a source that is whole to itself and transmits existence to all other wholes; Because all of the whole entities except the sourceless source or causeless cause are not the cause of wholeness, therefore only an ultimate source that is whole to itself can be responsible for the existence of the state of wholeness. This source must have absolute singularity because if it did not have simplicity and singularity, it would not be the source of wholeness, since it is itself the whole of different entities.

All upper conditions are the timeless source and condition of the lower conditions, for the integrity of the cup depends on the integrity of the molecules at every moment, and the cup cannot exist even for a second without the integrity of the molecules. In the context of a hierarchy that is independent of time, even if the being is beginningless, it wouldn't have affected whether this existence has conditions and sources; as even if the cup is beginningless, it would have been based on the integrity of the molecules since eternity.^[1]

The purpose of this example is to explain that in classical theism, God is the Absolute Singular Being, timeless source, origin, and uncaused cause of all states of existence, just like in integrity.

Traditions

Classical Theistic God depictions:^[5] Vishnu's anthropomorphic depiction and al-Haqq text

The understanding of Platonism,^[3] which originates from Ancient Greece; the tradition of Sufism, which is the esoteric understanding of the Islamic religion; and the traditions of Vaishnavism and Vishishtadvaita, which are Dharmic understandings, are considered to be prominent classical theistic understandings.^[5]

Classical theistic traditions have a general understanding of devotion to God. This understanding is referred to as "bhakti" in Hinduism, "ishq" in Sufism, "devekut" in Jewish mysticism, and "pyaar" in Sikhism.^{[citation needed]}

Ancient Egypt

Hermetica, the sacred text of Hermeticism that emerged in Ancient Egypt, describes God as as the Absolute Person and Absolute Being who is the existential source.^[6]^{[original research?]}

Judaism

Classical Theism was introduced to Jewish Theology before the start of Christianity by Philo of Alexandria.^[7]

Islam/Sufism

Classical theism entered the Islamic tradition as early as the 9th century with Al-Kindi.^[3] Al-Ghazali rejected classical theism, calling its followers "Islamic Aristotelians", and classical theism within Islam was harmed by the reaction of Islamic orthodoxy.^[3]

In Sufism -the esoteric interpretation of the Islamic religion and Qur'an- God is identified with the name "al-Haqq", which indicates Absolute Reality. According to this interpretation, existence overall is a limited and restricted reflection of God, who is the unrestricted and unlimited existence.^[5]

Scholars of Islamic Philosophy like Ibn Sīnā and Farabi argued that God, the Absolute One, is the source of all existence and that everything emanates from Him.^[8] Ibn Sīnā's interpretation of the divine is firmly rooted in classical theism, portraying God as entirely distinct through His absolute metaphysical simplicity, timeless nature, unchanging essence, and impassive character.^[9]

Christianity

Classical theism entered Christianity as early as the 2nd century with Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria.^[3] Augustine of Hippo's 4th century autobiographical work, Confessions, contained influences of Platonism and is considered classically theist.^[10]^: 131

Hinduism

In Vaishnavism, a Hindu sect; the Supreme God, who is mentioned in the forms of Vishnu and Krishna, is described as sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam ("The Cause of all causes").^[11] Therefore, in Hinduism, God is expressed by the concept of Paramātman ("Absolute Self, Ultimate Person").^[12] Vaishnava guru Prabhupada described God as the "Eternal Father of all souls", and therefore he argued that each of the different infinite souls emanating from God are in essence siblings and are children of God.^[13]

In Hinduism, God is characterized by the concepts of Singular Absolute Being ("Parabrahman") and Absolute Self ("Paramātman"). In Rigveda, Yajurveda and Bhagavad Gita, which are the central texts of Hinduism; Ishvara, the Almighty God; Has been declared that He is the Absolute Being and the Absolute Self, and that all existence emanates from Him.^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18]

Ishvara, the Supreme God, is mentioned by names Vishnu (Sanskrit: विष्णु "All-Pervader") and Krishna (Sanskrit: कृष्ण) in the Yajurveda and the Bhagavad Gita.

Vedantic and Bhaktic traditions in Hinduism can be described as Classical theism.^[5]

According to the Bhagavad Gita, God is the source of everything and the entirety of existence emanates from Him.^[19]

Scholars

Plato, Hermes Trismegistus, Ramanuja.

Classical theism has been represented by many scholars amongst many major religions; e.g. Ramanuja in Hinduism, Thomas Aquinas in Christianity, and Ibn Sīnā in Islam; and in Ancient Greek philosophy by Plato and Aristotle;^[3] and by the Ancient Egyptian scholar Hermes Trismegistus.^[1]^[5]

It has been represented by thinkers such as Philo, Plotinus, Proclus, Athenagoras of Athens, Clement of Alexandria, Basil of Caesarea, Augustine, Boethius, Cyril of Alexandria, John of Damascus, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Anselm of Canterbury, Maimonides, Averroes, and Gottfried Leibniz.^[2]^[3]

Modern day

David Bentley Hart and Edward Feser are amongst the most important contemporary philosophers advocating for classical theism.^{[citation needed]}

Quotes

"Krishna, Known as Govinda, is the supreme controller. He has an eternal, blissful, spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin, for He is the prime cause of all causes." — Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 21.35
" I am the source of all; from Me, all emanates. Realizing this and filled with feeling, the intelligent devote themselves to Me." — Krishna, Bhagavad Gita 10.8^[20]
"All beings emerged from Narayana. Narayana sustains all beings. Every being merges in Narayana. Narayana is the eternal principle." – Narayana Upanishad Verse 13 – 16
"He is the root and source of all." — Hermes Trismegistus, Hermetica^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Feser, Edward (2017). Five Proofs of the Existence of God. San Francisco: IGNATIUS PRESS. ISBN 978-1-62164-133-9.
^ ^a ^b Craig, Edward (1998). "God, Concepts of". Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Routledge. p. 98.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "God, concepts of - Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy". www.rep.routledge.com. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
^ "the view that all limited or finite things are dependent in some way on one supreme or ultimate reality of which one may also speak in personal terms." Encyclopedia Britannica, current online edition.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Hart, David Bentley (September 24, 2013). The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss. Yale University Press.
^ ^a ^b Freke, Timothy; Gandy, Peter (1997). The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs. J.P. Tarcher/Putnam. ISBN 978-0-87477-950-9.
^ Feser, Edward (2023). "What is Classical Theism". Classical Theism: New Essays on the Metaphysics of God. Routledge. p. 9.
^ "SUDÛR". TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (in Turkish). Retrieved 8 March 2024.
^ Turner, Jamie B.; Doko, Enis (2023). "A Metaphysical Inquiry into Islamic Theism". Classical Theism: New Essays on the Metaphysics of God. Routledge. p. 165.
^ Diller, Jeanine; Kasher, Asa, eds. (2013). Models of God and Alternative Ultimate Realities. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5219-1. ISBN 978-94-007-5218-4.
^ "Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.1". Bhaktivedanta Vedabase. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
^ T. Depurucker (January 2003). An Occult Glossary:A Compendium of Oriental and Theosophical Terms. Kessinger Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7661-2975-7.
^ "581100 - Letter to Brother written from Jhansi - Vanisource". vanisource.org. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
^ Albrecht Weber, Die Taittirîya-Saṃhitâ, Leipzig, Indische Studien 11-12, Brockhaus (1871, 1872) etext
^ A. Berridale Keith, The Yajur Veda - Taittiriya Sanhita 1914, full text, (online at sacred-texts.com). For specific verse, see [Kanda V, verse 5.1. http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yv/yv05.htm] "all the deities are Agni; the sacrifice is Visnu; verily he lays hold of the deities and the sacrifice; Agni is the lowest of the deities, Visnu the highest"
^ Devi Chand, The Yajurveda. Sanskrit text with English translation. Third thoroughly revised and enlarged edition (1980).
^ The Sanhitâ of the Black Yajur Veda with the Commentary of Mâdhava ‘Achârya, Calcutta (Bibl. Indica, 10 volumes, 1854-1899)
^ Due to differences in recensions the verses of the Gita may be numbered in the full text of the Mahabharata as chapters 6.25 – 42. (see: Sastras studies) or as chapters 6.23-40 (The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) electronic edition. Electronic text (C) Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, India, 1999.) According to the recension of the Gita commented on by Shankara, the number of verses is 700, but there is evidence to show that old manuscripts had 745 verses.(Gambhiranda (1997), p. xvii.)
^ "Bhagavad Gita 10.8". Bhaktivedanta Vedabase. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
^ Goswami, Hridayananda Das (2015). A Comprehensive Guide to Bhagavad-Gita. Krishna West, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0692761717.

[:3-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Feser, Edward (2017). Five Proofs of the Existence of God. San Francisco: IGNATIUS PRESS. ISBN 978-1-62164-133-9.

[Craig982-2] Craig, Edward (1998). "God, Concepts of". Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Routledge. p. 98.

[:4-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "God, concepts of - Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy". www.rep.routledge.com. Retrieved 2024-03-12.

[4] "the view that all limited or finite things are dependent in some way on one supreme or ultimate reality of which one may also speak in personal terms." Encyclopedia Britannica, current online edition.

[:0-5] Hart, David Bentley (September 24, 2013). The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss. Yale University Press.

[:2-6] Freke, Timothy; Gandy, Peter (1997). The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs. J.P. Tarcher/Putnam. ISBN 978-0-87477-950-9.

[7] Feser, Edward (2023). "What is Classical Theism". Classical Theism: New Essays on the Metaphysics of God. Routledge. p. 9.

[8] "SUDÛR". TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (in Turkish). Retrieved 8 March 2024.

[9] Turner, Jamie B.; Doko, Enis (2023). "A Metaphysical Inquiry into Islamic Theism". Classical Theism: New Essays on the Metaphysics of God. Routledge. p. 165.

[ModelsOfGod-10] Diller, Jeanine; Kasher, Asa, eds. (2013). Models of God and Alternative Ultimate Realities. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5219-1. ISBN 978-94-007-5218-4.

[11] "Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.1". Bhaktivedanta Vedabase. Retrieved 8 March 2024.

[12] T. Depurucker (January 2003). An Occult Glossary:A Compendium of Oriental and Theosophical Terms. Kessinger Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7661-2975-7.

[13] "581100 - Letter to Brother written from Jhansi - Vanisource". vanisource.org. Retrieved 8 March 2024.

[14] Albrecht Weber, Die Taittirîya-Saṃhitâ, Leipzig, Indische Studien 11-12, Brockhaus (1871, 1872) etext

[15] A. Berridale Keith, The Yajur Veda - Taittiriya Sanhita 1914, full text, (online at sacred-texts.com). For specific verse, see [Kanda V, verse 5.1. http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/yv/yv05.htm] "all the deities are Agni; the sacrifice is Visnu; verily he lays hold of the deities and the sacrifice; Agni is the lowest of the deities, Visnu the highest"

[16] Devi Chand, The Yajurveda. Sanskrit text with English translation. Third thoroughly revised and enlarged edition (1980).

[17] The Sanhitâ of the Black Yajur Veda with the Commentary of Mâdhava ‘Achârya, Calcutta (Bibl. Indica, 10 volumes, 1854-1899)

[18] Due to differences in recensions the verses of the Gita may be numbered in the full text of the Mahabharata as chapters 6.25 – 42. (see: Sastras studies) or as chapters 6.23-40 (The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) electronic edition. Electronic text (C) Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, India, 1999.) According to the recension of the Gita commented on by Shankara, the number of verses is 700, but there is evidence to show that old manuscripts had 745 verses.(Gambhiranda (1997), p. xvii.)

[19] "Bhagavad Gita 10.8". Bhaktivedanta Vedabase. Retrieved 8 March 2024.

[:1-20] Goswami, Hridayananda Das (2015). A Comprehensive Guide to Bhagavad-Gita. Krishna West, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0692761717.

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@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Classical theism holds that God is both ''immanent'' and ''transcendent'' to all of existence. According to classical theism, God is ''singular'' and has such qualities as ''immutability'', ''impenetrability,'' and ''transcendence of time''.<ref name="Craig982">{{cite encyclopedia | last = Craig | first = Edward | author-link = Edward Craig (philosopher) | encyclopedia = Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy | title = God, Concepts of | language = en | year = 1998 | publisher = Routledge | pages = 98}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> In classical theism, it is accepted that "created" beings (all beings, conscious or unconscious, except God Himself) are conditioned and dependent at all times on God, the ''Ultimate Being'' and ''Absolute Self'', for their existence.<ref>"the view that all limited or finite things are dependent in some way on one supreme or ultimate reality of which one may also speak in personal terms." ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'', current online edition.</ref> God is the ''Ultimate Being'' who requires no conditions for his existence; Although ''singular'', He has everything that exists or has the potential to exist, and all other beings arise from the ''absolute existential presence'' found in God, so God is the ''Ultimate Source'' and ''Origin of all beings''.
+== Arguments for Classical Theism ==
-=== Ontology ===
+=== Ontological ===
 In the understanding of classical theism, God is conceived as the timeless absolute source and unconditional condition of all existence.<ref name=":3" /> The expression ''ho ou kinoúmenon kineî'' ("He who moves without being moved") used by [[Aristotle]] characterizes God in the classical theistic context,<ref name=":3" /> with the example that the movement of the entire universe depends on God. In classical theism, since God is not only the source of all material entities but of existence as a whole, it is the Singular Being that is also the source of consciousness, personality, and self, it is itself conscious, self, and the Absolute Self.<ref name=":3" />
 [[File:Aristotle Altemps Inv8575.jpg|left|thumb|Aristoteles statue.|200x200px]]
@@ Line 23: / Line 25: @@
 The purpose of this example is to explain that in classical theism, God is the ''Absolute Singular Being'', ''timeless source'', ''origin,'' and ''uncaused cause'' of all states of existence, just like in integrity.
-=== Traditions ===
+== Traditions ==
 {{multiple image
 | perrow            = 3
@@ Line 35: / Line 37: @@
 Classical theistic traditions have a general understanding of devotion to God. This understanding is referred to as "''bhakti''" in [[Hinduism]], "''ishq''" in Sufism, "''devekut''" in [[Jewish mysticism]], and "''pyaar''" in Sikhism.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
-==== Ancient Egypt ====
+=== Ancient Egypt ===
 [[Hermetica]], the sacred text of ''[[Hermeticism]]'' that emerged in Ancient Egypt, describes God as as the Absolute Person and Absolute Being who is the existential source.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Freke |first1=Timothy |url=https://archive.org/details/hermeticalostwis0000frek |title=The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs |last2=Gandy |first2=Peter |publisher=J.P. Tarcher/Putnam |isbn=978-0-87477-950-9 |publication-date=1997}}</ref>{{Original research inline|date=June 2024}}
-==== Judaism ====
+=== Judaism ===
 {{Expand section|date=June 2024}}
 Classical Theism was introduced to Jewish Theology before the start of Christianity by [[Philo of Alexandria]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Feser |first=Edward |title=Classical Theism: New Essays on the Metaphysics of God |chapter=What is Classical Theism |publisher=Routledge |year=2023 |pages=9 |language=en}}</ref>
-==== Islam/Sufism ====
+=== Islam/Sufism ===
 Classical theism entered the Islamic tradition as early as the 9th century with [[Al-Kindi]].<ref name=":4" /> [[Al-Ghazali]] rejected classical theism, calling its followers "Islamic Aristotelians", and classical theism within Islam was harmed by the reaction of Islamic orthodoxy.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=God, concepts of - Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy |url=https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/god-concepts-of/v-1/sections/classical-theism |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.rep.routledge.com |language=en}}</ref>
@@ Line 49: / Line 51: @@
 Scholars of [[Islamic philosophy|Islamic Philosophy]] like [[Avicenna|Ibn Sīnā]] and [[Al-Farabi|Farabi]] argued that God, the ''Absolute One'', is the ''source of all existence'' and that everything emanates from Him.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 March 2024 |language=tr |title=SUDÛR |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sudur |work=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi}}<!-- auto-translated from Turkish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Ibn Sīnā's interpretation of the divine is firmly rooted in classical theism, portraying God as entirely distinct through His absolute metaphysical simplicity, timeless nature, unchanging essence, and impassive character.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Turner |first1=Jamie B. |url=https://philarchive.org/rec/TURAMI-2 |title=Classical Theism: New Essays on the Metaphysics of God |last2=Doko |first2=Enis |chapter=A Metaphysical Inquiry into Islamic Theism |publisher=Routledge |year=2023 |pages=165 |language=en}}</ref>
-==== Christianity ====
+=== Christianity ===
 {{Expand section|date=March 2024}}
 Classical theism entered [[Christianity]] as early as the 2nd century with [[Irenaeus]] and [[Clement of Alexandria]].<ref name=":4" /> [[Augustine of Hippo]]'s 4th century autobiographical work, [[Confessions (Augustine)|''Confessions'']], contained influences of Platonism and is considered classically theist.<ref name="ModelsOfGod">{{Cite book |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-94-007-5219-1 |title=Models of God and Alternative Ultimate Realities |date=2013 |publisher=Springer Netherlands |isbn=978-94-007-5218-4 |editor-last=Diller |editor-first=Jeanine |location=Dordrecht |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-94-007-5219-1 |editor-last2=Kasher |editor-first2=Asa}}</ref>{{rp|131}}
-==== Hinduism ====
+=== Hinduism ===
 In [[Vaishnavism]], a [[Hindus|Hindu]] sect; the Supreme God, who is mentioned in the forms of [[Vishnu]] and [[Krishna]], is described as ''sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam'' ("The Cause of all causes").<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 March 2024 |publisher=Bhaktivedanta Vedabase |title=Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.1 |url=https://vedabase.io/en/library/bs/5/1/}}<!-- auto-translated from Turkish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>  Therefore, in Hinduism, God is expressed by the concept of [[Paramatman|''Paramātman'']] ("Absolute Self, Ultimate Person").<ref>{{cite book |date=January 2003 |last=T. Depurucker |page=130 |publisher=Kessinger Publishing |title=An Occult Glossary:A Compendium of Oriental and Theosophical Terms |isbn=978-0-7661-2975-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eRztON94euYC&q=paramatman&pg=PA130}}<!-- auto-translated from Turkish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Vaishnava guru [[A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada|Prabhupada]] described God as the "Eternal Father of all souls", and therefore he argued that each of the different infinite souls emanating from God are in essence siblings and are children of God.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 March 2024 |title=581100 - Letter to Brother written from Jhansi - Vanisource |url=https://vanisource.org/w/index.php?title=581100_-_Letter_to_Brother_written_from_Jhansi&hl=Eternal+Father |work=vanisource.org}}<!-- auto-translated from Turkish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

Classical theism: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:52, 23 June 2024

Understanding of God

Arguments for Classical Theism

Ontological

Cup and integrity example

Traditions

Ancient Egypt

Judaism

Islam/Sufism

Christianity

Hinduism

Scholars

Modern day

Quotes

See also

Books

Traditions

Scholars

References