About the philosophy of God

[Wilshire]

Since God’s essence or nature is identical to his existence, can we also say that his nature is his existence?

 

[strita]

I once thought I wanted to study philosophy but this question illustrates my frustration with it. Agreement or disagreement depends on the definitions of those terms, like ‘nature.’

 

[Vico]

Since God’s essence or nature is identical to his existence, can we also say that his nature is his existence?

God’s essence is God’s nature. God’s essence is identical to his existence because God is not created, but in creatures the essence is not identical to the existence.

 

[HarryStotle]

I once thought I wanted to study philosophy but this question illustrates my frustration with it. Agreement or disagreement depends on the definitions of those terms, like ‘nature.’

This is likely true of post-modernist philosophies where nominalism (shared definitions) completely removes the possibility of any real meaning. The premise is that two thinkers cannot possibly share the same meaning or grasp the true understanding of something, therefore the closest we can come to truth is in defining the terms of dialogue.

The problem is that thinking itself then becomes word or definition bound by that very constraint.

Thought is a much richer and fuller reality than definitions can ever possibly characterize.

If you’ve never read CS Lewis, especially Mere Christianity, that might be a good start into the study of philosophy.

Peter Kreeft has some interesting talks here:

http://www.peterkreeft.com/audio_more.htm

And some very good written pieces here:

http://www.peterkreeft.com/featured-writing.htm

These might give you a different perspective on philosophy.