European Journal for Philosophy of Religion · 2013 · 52 citations · 0 references
HumanitiesPhilosophyReligious StudiesPhilosophy Of MindPhilosophy Of ReligionTheologyChristian TheologyDivine OmnipotenceNature Of GodReligious ExperienceDivine OmnipresenceEternal LifeHuman-nature ConnectednessHuman-nature InteractionsMind ReadingPersonhood Of GodPresence Of God
The claim that God is maximally present characterizes all three major monotheisms, with omnipresence understood as God's relation to all space and time and also as God's presence with and to individual persons. The paper investigates the claim of God's maximal presence specifically within Christianity. The study assumes that human nature permits God to be present with persons via mind‑reading, and that in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is present in love.
The claim that God is maximally present is characteristic of all three major monotheisms. In this paper, I explore this claim with regard to Christianity. First, God’s omnipresence is a matter of God’s relations to all space at all times at once, because omnipresence is an attribute of an eternal God. In addition, God is also present with and to a person. The assumption of a human nature ensures that God is never without the ability to be present with human persons in the way mind-reading enables; and, in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is present in love.