Hello everyone. It’s good to be back and writing regularlyl again for Deeper Waters. We are studying the doctrine of God right now and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. Those who do not have a copy can go to newadvent.org and read one there. Right now, we’re studying the infinity of God. We’re going to close up that topic tonight but first, prayer requests. First, I ask for prayers for my Christlikeness. Today has been a good day and I’ve got a good friend who’s working with me on a lot of issues especially in relation to my third prayer request. Second, for my financial situation. Third, for the area in my life related to both of these. For now, let’s get to the question.
Can an infinite multitude exist? Does there seem to be anything inherently impossible about the concept? After all, we can think of the adage that there is one angle at which a man may stand straight and an infinite number by which he may fall. When we say that, are we not making a truth statement? If we say the possibilities are endless, are we not pointing to an actual infinite?
This is done with math also. We can multiply numbers by infinity and we have all sorts of fun word games involving infinity. There is, for instance, the hotel with an infinite number of rooms and they clear out all the people who are in even numbered rooms and there’s still the same number of people in the hotel.
This is the point where we have to realize that because we can imagine something, that doesn’t mean it can be actualized. This is a situation I wish skeptics would realize concerning the Problem of Evil. So many think they can imagine all of these perfect scenarios where evil would not happen. Well you can imagine it, but that does not mean that those scenarios can be actualized.
Of course, as soon as we’re talking about created realities, Aquinas again says that these are limited by matter. They can be comprehended for they are made by their creator for a purpose. Since they are limited, they cannot be infinite. Now Aquinas has no problem with a potential infinite, but he does have a problem with an actual one.
What does all of this have to do with anything? I think for one thing, this will be important when we come to the question of God’s knowledge, which is a future topic. I’ll just try to whet your appetite a little bit here with the idea of “Does God know an infinite number of things?” This question will bear a relation to that one.
Furthermore, this helps us understand the nature of infinity. When we understand that better, we can understand God better for God’s nature is infinite. Yes everyone. Studying mathematics can help you come to a better understanding of God. All truth is God’s truth and the more we learn, the more we can come to know our God.
We shall start tomorrow on the existence of God in things.
Support Deeper Waters on Patreon!
