Participation also implies difference. God does not simply have more power than man, God's power is of a wholly different kind. The same goes for all of God's attributes: presence, knowledge, love, goodness, etc. God's presence is also entirely unlike that of us human persons, as we must be in a particular place, while God is everywhere. So to say than God is present at church is not the same thing as saying a man is present at church. Similarly, even if a man were to somehow know all things, he would not be omniscient in the way God is. God knows all things as their creator - their first cause. This gives God a kind of knowledge man will never have, even if man could in theory learn all facts.
In saving mankind, God's grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it; yet, even a perfected human nature is still limited to being what it is. It will always remain finite - and the distance between finite and infinite is so great that it is not a difference so much as a complete distinction. The same will always be true of God and man. God is absolutely unique and the infinite chasm between the Creator and the creature can never be crossed. It is clear from the writings of those who make such statements that no orthodox theologian is confused on this point, and such statements need to be read with the above distinctions in mind.
"If anyone desire in this way to be Godlike, he commits no sin; provided that he desires such likeness in proper order, that is to say, that he may obtain it of God. But he would sin were he to desire to be like unto God even in the right way, as of his own, and not of God's power." (Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologi I, Q.63, A.3)
End Article.
If the notion that we all will become Gods is not sinister enough, there's those amongst us that say ALL men become Gods no matter what you have done, and there are no consequences for sin!
Spencer Luv ya ...But you do greatly err....Spewing "man will neva be God. man will always be finite"...Have ya neva read 1st Cor..15:53...This corruption must put on incorruption and this mortality must put immortality.....We will be changed in a moment in a twinkling of the eye ...We are gonna put on immortality and incorruption....Do you not understand there is gonna be a Marriage....I saw the N.J. Coming down from heaven as bride adorned for her husband....Thus we will be married to Christ who is God the son REV 20:15....Thats y Jesus is saying to whom the word came it made them Gods...Thus there will be no more finite for mankind....And the scriptures cannot be broken....Do you not feel guilty saying the words of our lord are Heresy....You are in essence saying the words of our lord are herical and sinister...I pray for you....I should not have to tells ya this but a marriage is when 2 are made 1....Rememeber his prayer in John 17:21...Father make them 1 as we are 1...Which is the mariage supper of the lamb....Which is also the 2 nd coming....
Well said and thankyou , I can't believe that anyone still needs that explaining to them when it's there in black and white , are we all reading the same book ? I do wonder sometimes . May God open all of our eyes and ears and hearts and brains to His Living Word .
Part 5 or perhaps 6 and Final.
Participation also implies difference. God does not simply have more power than man, God's power is of a wholly different kind. The same goes for all of God's attributes: presence, knowledge, love, goodness, etc. God's presence is also entirely unlike that of us human persons, as we must be in a particular place, while God is everywhere. So to say than God is present at church is not the same thing as saying a man is present at church. Similarly, even if a man were to somehow know all things, he would not be omniscient in the way God is. God knows all things as their creator - their first cause. This gives God a kind of knowledge man will never have, even if man could in theory learn all facts.
In saving mankind, God's grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it; yet, even a perfected human nature is still limited to being what it is. It will always remain finite - and the distance between finite and infinite is so great that it is not a difference so much as a complete distinction. The same will always be true of God and man. God is absolutely unique and the infinite chasm between the Creator and the creature can never be crossed. It is clear from the writings of those who make such statements that no orthodox theologian is confused on this point, and such statements need to be read with the above distinctions in mind.
"If anyone desire in this way to be Godlike, he commits no sin; provided that he desires such likeness in proper order, that is to say, that he may obtain it of God. But he would sin were he to desire to be like unto God even in the right way, as of his own, and not of God's power." (Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologi I, Q.63, A.3)
End Article.
If the notion that we all will become Gods is not sinister enough, there's those amongst us that say ALL men become Gods no matter what you have done, and there are no consequences for sin!
That is as bad as it gets!
God bless.
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