By Filings on
Bible, Theology & Philosophy
Aseity
Theology Proper

“The word aseity is from the Latin “a se” meaning “from oneself.” This is not to say that God is “self-made,” or that He created Himself, but it relates to God’s self-sufficiency…. We need to be reminded of God’s aseity because we are often guilty of using our own characteristics and experiences as the template for understanding the attributes of God.” - Ref21

Discussion

Wed, 09/30/20

Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

Wed, 09/30/20

[RajeshG]

Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

This sounds like something the Unitarians or JWs would say. I know that’s not what you believe, but I’m not sure why you feel it speaks to the issue of God’s aseity. Since Jesus became a man, he placed himself in the position of need, but that is unrelated to divine aseity.

Wed, 09/30/20

[pvawter]
RajeshG wrote:

Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

This sounds like something the Unitarians or JWs would say. I know that’s not what you believe, but I’m not sure why you feel it speaks to the issue of God’s aseity. Since Jesus became a man, he placed himself in the position of need, but that is unrelated to divine aseity.

The text speaks of something that the Lord needed. Jesus was and remains forever incarnate Deity. Concerning Him as the God-Man, this passage speaks explicitly of something that He needed.
Although it does not speak to divine aseity concerning God the Father or the God the Spirit, because of the Incarnation, it does reveal at least one time and thing that the Bible says that the God-Man needed something.

Thu, 10/01/20

[RajeshG]

The text speaks of something that the Lord needed. Jesus was and remains forever incarnate Deity. Concerning Him as the God-Man, this passage speaks explicitly of something that He needed.

Although it does not speak to divine aseity concerning God the Father or the God the Spirit, because of the Incarnation, it does reveal at least one time and thing that the Bible says that the God-Man needed something.

So in your view is divine aseity an errant doctrine in light of the incarnation? Is Jesus forever needy now that he is incarnate?

Thu, 10/01/20

[pvawter]
RajeshG wrote:

The text speaks of something that the Lord needed. Jesus was and remains forever incarnate Deity. Concerning Him as the God-Man, this passage speaks explicitly of something that He needed.

Although it does not speak to divine aseity concerning God the Father or the God the Spirit, because of the Incarnation, it does reveal at least one time and thing that the Bible says that the God-Man needed something.

So in your view is divine aseity an errant doctrine in light of the incarnation? Is Jesus forever needy now that he is incarnate?

Our understanding of all doctrines must account for all the Scriptural data that pertains. I do not know how we are to put all the pieces together, but we must not neglect to treat any relative data. Scripture does not provide enough information to make any definitive statements concerning the ongoing state of the glorified Jesus of Nazareth, the God-Man who is enthroned at the right hand of the Father.

Thu, 10/01/20

It is a category error to compare Jesus’ humanity in the incarnation with the eternal nature of God as though his “needs” while here on earth have anything to do with the question of aseity. The text you reference is not relevant to the doctrine of divine aseity. God is not a dependent being, and the incarnation does not change or threaten that in any way.

Fri, 10/02/20

[pvawter]

It is a category error to compare Jesus’ humanity in the incarnation with the eternal nature of God as though his “needs” while here on earth have anything to do with the question of aseity. The text you reference is not relevant to the doctrine of divine aseity. God is not a dependent being, and the incarnation does not change or threaten that in any way.

You speak of “Jesus’ humanity in the incarnation.” Do you deny that Jesus as the God-Man is now and will forever be fully both man and God?

Fri, 10/02/20

I tell you what, before we go down the rabbit hole of endlessly wrangling over the intricacies of Christology, can you just explain why you think Mark 11:3 has relevance to the doctrine of aseity?

Fri, 10/02/20

[pvawter]

I tell you what, before we go down the rabbit hole of endlessly wrangling over the intricacies of Christology, can you just explain why you think Mark 11:3 has relevance to the doctrine of aseity?

I have already said what I have to say about its relevance. You have disagreed with what I have said, which is fine. Let’s leave it there.

Fri, 10/02/20

[RajeshG]

Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

I don’t think this example is an “on the other hand” situation. I think this example shows the Lord’s self-sufficiency. Rather than being dependent upon us humans to supply a colt, the Lord supplied his own colt by telling the disciples exactly where to find it and how to deliver it.