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Jonathan Edwards on divine simplicity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2003

OLIVER D. CRISP
OLIVER D. CRISP
Affiliation:
St Mary's College, University of St Andrews, South Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9JU
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Abstract

In this article I assess the coherence of Jonathan Edwards's doctrine of divine simplicity as an instance of an actus purus account of perfect-being theology. Edwards's view is an idiosyncratic version of this doctrine. This is due to a number of factors including his idealism and the Trinitarian context from which he developed his notion of simplicity. These complicating factors lead to a number of serious problems for his account, particularly with respect to the opera extra sunt indivisa principle. I conclude that Edwards sets out an interesting and subtle version of the doctrine, but one which appears mired in difficulties from which he is unable to extract himself.

Type
Research Article
Information
Religious Studies , Volume 39 , Issue 1 , March 2003 , pp. 23 - 41
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press

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