Immutability

So I decided to tackle a rough outline of the immutability of God. I just finished reading an article on the issue and I feel as though my brains might explode without warning, lol. I will attempt however, to transfer the scattered vestiges of thought that still remain in my possession to you. *grins* Ie, I'll give it a shot.

Immutability is simply the unchangeability of God. This has been variously interpreted to mean either that God's nature cannot change but that God can, or that God himself cannot change at all. Now, we could discuss what "change" means (philosophy loves to dither over definitions, lol). Is God unchangeable intrinsically and extrinsically, or just intrinsically? Frankly, this is when my head starts to split open and all the entries in my short-term memory are irrevocably erased. So... moving on! :-D

Sure, we could reference James 1.17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." and call it a wrap, but I believe in doing things the hard way. *grins* Let's examine one aspect of God's nature for a minute or two.

Does God ever lie? Let's skim through some verses. Deuteronomy 32.4 tells us that, "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he." God is without iniquity. 2 Samuel 22.31 says, "This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." His word proves true. God has a history of faithfulness. It's not in His nature to lie. Okies, so we see that not only has God never lied, but also it is contrary to His nature to lie.

But why? Couldn't one just say that God hasn't lied because He doesn't want to? Doesn't Luke 1.37 say that "nothing will be impossible with God."? The answer lies (no pun intended) in Hebrews 6.18: "So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us." Okies, suppose that I'm not one to accept the Scripture at face value. I need more proof. *grins* Besides that, I just love to ask, "why?"

2 Timothy 2.13, "If we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself." So we see that if it is in God's nature to be faithful, then He cannot be unfaithful. This is also known as Aristotle's law of non-contradiction, which is the basis for logic. As Aristotle stated it, "One cannot say of something that it is and that it is not in the same respect and at the same time." 'A' cannot be 'A' and contradict itself at the same time. Either it is 'A' or it is not. God is either faithful and true, or He isn't. He cannot do anything that is contrary to His nature. That is why God cannot lie. It is impossible for iniquity to be in a Perfect Being.

An issue that's worth a mention too, is immutability vs. impassibility. Impassibility is simply the inability to express emotion as a result of external events (or anything, really). If nothing can affect a change in God, does this include emotions? Are emotions really a change in the nature of someone? Or are they simply a response? Can an immutable God experience grief?

Hebrews is an excellent reference for this question! In this book, the Apostle Paul un-packs the humanity of the Son of God. Hebrews 2.18a "For... he himself has suffered when tempted." Isaiah also refers to Christ in the prophetic passage about the "Suffering Servant." Isaiah 53.3 "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." If Christ had not suffered, then He would have not been able to "sympathize with our weaknesses." (Hebrews 4.15) But, because Christ knew grief, suffering and temptation, "he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2.18b) and who likewise suffer. So a God who is immutable can also be passable. What an encouragement!

So I would recommend that y'all to check out those verses for yourselves! Ask the skeptical questions! Look it up and don't stop until you are absolutely satisfied! If it's in the Book, then it's for us! 2 Timothy 3.16 (the "other 3.16" *grins*) "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

Grace and peace be with you,
~Curtis~