Sunday, May 29, 2022

Catechism of the Summa (2)

 II. OF GOD'S NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES

(A)

Who is God?

God is a spirit, in three persons, the creator an sovereign Lord of all things.

What is meant by saying that God is a spirit?

By this is meant that He has no body, as we have, and that He is free from all matter, and that in Him there is nothing distinct from His being 

What does this imply in God?

It implies that God is not a being like any other being which is this or that determined being; for He is in the true sense of the word most transcendental and most absolute; He is Very Being 

Is God perfect?

Yes, God is perfect, for He lacks nothing 

Is God good?

Yes, God is Very Goodness; for He is the beginning and the end of all love 

Is God infinite?

Yes, God is infinite, for He has no limits 

Is God everywhere?

Yes, God is everywhere, for all that is, is in Him and through Him 

Is God unchangeable?

Yes, God is unchangeable because possessing all things He can acquire nothing 

Is God eternal?

Yes, God is eternal because in Him there is no succession 

Are there several Gods?

No, there is only one God

(B)

Why are these divers attributes affirmed of God?

Because if He had them not, He would not be God.

How do you prove that if God did not have these attributes He would no longer be God?

Because God would no longer be God if He were not He who exists of Himself. But He who exists of Himself must be perfect, since He contains all in Himself; and if He is perfect He is good of necessity. He must be infinite, for if not something or other could act on Him, and thereby limit Him; and, if He is infinite, He must be everywhere. He must be unchangeable, for if not there would be something whereof He had need, and if He is unchangeable He is Eternal, since time implies sucession which involves change. On the other hand, since He is infinitely perfect He can be only one; for two things infinitely perfect are absolutely impossible, since there would be nought in one whereby it was distinguished from the other 


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