Arguments for One God Opposed to God in General

  • Thread starter Thread starter PeteZaHut
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
from that Aquinas website:

dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles1.htm#42

Chapter 42 Paragraph 2;
[2] For it is not possible that there be two highest goods, since that which is said by superabundance is found in only one being. But God, as we have shown, is the highest good. God is, therefore, one.
Aquinas explains what he means by “highest good” in the previous chapter, Chapter 41.
I’ll interpret it as follows: Of two good things, the one that is the most good for the most recipients of that good is the higher good. But God is good for all that exists and therefore is the highest good. Now if there were two infinite Gods, neither could be the highest good since the good they offer is divided and one could offer good that the other can’t. But this is impossible because to be infinite is to be able to offer infinite good, that is, all of it.
Therefore, there can only be one infinite God.

( There’s lots more of Tom’s chapter 42 to look at, but one day at a time. 😃 )
 
from that Aquinas website:

dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles1.htm#42

Chapter 42 Paragraph 3;
[3] Again, it has been shown that God is absolutely perfect, lacking no perfection. If, then, there are many gods, there must be many such perfect beings. But this is impossible. For, if none of these perfect beings lacks some perfection, and does not have any admixture of imperfection, which is demanded for an absolutely perfect being, nothing will be given in which to distinguish the perfect beings from one another. It is impossible, therefore, that there be many gods.
This is similar to the argument I gave above.
If two perfect Gods can’t even distiguish themselves from each other, there can’t be two.
Certainly, whichever God created the universe should be aware of it and the other God is aware he didn’t. But if they can’t know who made the universe, and cannot even talk to each other to find out, we must rebel at the absurdities and say there is only one God.
 
from that Aquinas website:

dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles1.htm#42

Chapter 42 Paragraph 4;
[4] Again, that which is accomplished adequately through one supposition is better done through one than through many. But the order of things is the best it can be, since the power of the first cause does not fail the potency in things for perfection. Now, all things are sufficiently fulfilled by a reduction to one first principle. There is, therefore, no need to posit many principles.
I guess this is Aquinas’s version of Occam’s Razor.
Since one infinite God is sufficient to create the universe, why have two? In fact, how could there be two? How do they decide who creates the universe? Again, this becomes ridiculous. 😊
 
Another evidence of God’s supreme oneness from that Aquinas website:
( I hope the OP is enjoying this. 😃 )

dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles1.htm#42

Chapter 42 Paragraph 5;
[5] Moreover, it is impossible that there be one continuous and regular motion from many movers. For, if they move together, none of them is a perfect mover, but all together rather take the place of one perfect mover. This is not befitting in the first mover, for the perfect is prior to the imperfect. If, however, they do not move together, each of them at times moves and at times does not. It follows from this that motion is neither continuous nor regular. For a motion that is continuous and one is from one mover. Furthermore, a mover that is not always moving is found to move irregularly, as is evident among lesser movers among whom a violent motion is stronger in the beginning and weaker at the end, whereas a natural motion proceeds conversely. But, as the philosophers have proved, the first motion is one and continuous. Therefore, its first mover must be one.
God is the First Mover, or creator, as Aquinas proved earlier.
Could two Gods co-create the universe? I would have to say no. Here’s just one of many problems with that idea.

Every atom must be continuously maintained in existence and movement. This has to be done at the intinesimal level, that is, at infinitely small intervals of time and space. But the infinitesimal and infinite can have nothing to do with matter or the real world. So the two Gods can’t “take turns” so to speak creating and maintaining the universe.

Other problems quickly become ridiculous.
To which God would we own our allegiance?
Are there two Heavens? ( Can we see them before choosing? :eek: )
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top