Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung: Episode Summary

Title: What Is the Doctrine of Impassibility?
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Host: Kevin DeYoung
Produced by: Crossway

Introduction to the Doctrine of Impassibility

In the February 25, 2025 episode of Doctrine Matters, host Kevin DeYoung delves into the intricate theological concept of God's impassibility. This episode is part of a series where DeYoung, a pastor, bestselling author, and associate professor of systematic theology, explores essential theological doctrines to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of Christian theology.

Understanding Impassibility

Timestamp [01:04]

DeYoung begins by defining the doctrine of impassibility, describing it as the belief that God does not suffer and cannot be influenced by external forces. He explains:

"Impassibility, in short, means that God does not suffer, that he cannot be acted upon from without."
[01:04] Kevin DeYoung

He further clarifies that this attribute is closely linked to God's immutability, emphasizing that God's inner state remains constant and unchangeable.

Historical Context and Controversies

Timestamp [03:01]

DeYoung traces the historical acceptance of impassibility, noting that it has been a longstanding belief from the early Church through theologians like Anselm, Aquinas, and Calvin. He highlights that the doctrine has only recently faced significant challenges:

"This has been the position from the early Church through Anselm, Aquinas, Calvin, pretty much until Maybe the last couple hundred years has this come under serious attack?"
[03:01] Kevin DeYoung

The controversy revolves around the idea that if God were passible—capable of suffering—it would render Him as the most miserable of creatures and blur the ontological distinction between Creator and creation.

Implications of Divine Passibility

Timestamp [03:32]

DeYoung outlines the theological problems that arise if God is considered passible:

"Divine passibility would mean that God, if he's suffering with us, is the most miserable of creatures. It would put him on the same ontological level as his creation."
[03:32] Kevin DeYoung

He warns that passibility could lead to perceptions of God being in a constant state of becoming, seeking to alleviate His own suffering through His actions towards humanity.

Distinguishing Impassibility from Anthropomorphism

Timestamp [04:06]

Addressing the common misunderstandings, DeYoung differentiates between anthropomorphisms and the doctrine of impassibility:

"The Bible talks all the time about God having, we might say, an emotional life, having affections... but we understand that he doesn't really have a body as we have a body."
[04:40] Kevin DeYoung

He explains that while Scriptures use human-like descriptions to convey God's nature, these should not be taken to mean that God experiences emotions in the human sense.

Theological Heresies Related to Impassibility

Timestamp [06:06]

DeYoung discusses two early heresies that opposed impassibility:

1. Theopascatism: The belief that God Himself suffered on the cross, leading to a conflation of divine and human natures in Christ.

   "Theopascatism is the belief that God suffered as God on the cross."
   [06:16] Kevin DeYoung

2. Patra Passionism: The notion that both the Father and the Son suffered simultaneously, arising from a modalistic view of the Trinity.

   "Patra Passionism... was a form of modalism that the Father and Son were not distinct persons."
   [06:49] Kevin DeYoung

Both heresies were rejected by the early Church to maintain the distinct and immutable nature of God's divinity.

Communicable Attributes of God

Timestamp [07:51]

Transitioning from impassibility, DeYoung explores God's communicable attributes—qualities that humans can, to some extent, share or understand. He categorizes these attributes into three main areas:

1. Attributes of Intellect:

   • Knowledge: God’s knowledge is comprehensive and differs from human understanding.

     "God knows things as they truly are... God's knowledge is comprehensive."
     [08:48] Kevin DeYoung

   • Wisdom: The ability to apply knowledge effectively towards His divine purposes.

     "God's wisdom is his ability to use that knowledge... to glorify him most."
     [08:54] Kevin DeYoung

   • Truthfulness: God is the epitome of truth, unlike other deities that may be deceitful.

     "He is the true God in that he is truth and he always does."
     [09:09] Kevin DeYoung

2. Attributes of Will:

   • Holiness: Repeated thrice in Scripture, signifying God's perfect ethical nature and His radical otherness.

     "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts."
     [09:39] Kevin DeYoung

   • Goodness, Love, Grace, Mercy, Patience (Long Suffering), Righteousness: These attributes highlight God’s benevolence, unmerited favor, and moral excellence.

     "God is gracious, that unmerited favor towards sinners... He is righteous. He is completely just."
     [10:12] - [12:12] Kevin DeYoung

3. Attributes of Power:

   • Omnipotence: God’s all-encompassing power, ensuring that nothing is beyond His ability.

     "There is nothing he cannot do."
     [12:29] Kevin DeYoung

   • Sovereignty: God's supreme authority and control over all creation, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled.

     "He rules over all the kingdoms of the nations... No one can withstand Him."
     [13:51] Kevin DeYoung

DeYoung underscores that these attributes are interrelated and must be understood in harmony, as none operates independently of the others.

God’s Sovereignty and Its Impact

Timestamp [13:50]

Highlighting God's sovereignty, DeYoung emphasizes that God's omnipotence is exercised in perfect alignment with His other attributes:

"His absolute power does not exist independent of his goodness, his love, his mercy... He never exercises his power callously or capriciously."
[14:20] Kevin DeYoung

This sovereignty ensures that all of God's actions are inherently good, wise, and just, reinforcing the reliability and benevolence of His nature.

Conclusion: Embracing God’s Immutability and Sovereignty

Timestamp [14:37]

Concluding the episode, DeYoung encourages listeners to embrace the doctrinal truths of God's impassibility and sovereignty:

"All of this we can place under the title of his attributes of will... The good news in God doing whatever he pleases, is that God always works for the good of his people and for the glory of his name."
[14:54] Kevin DeYoung

He reassures believers that understanding these attributes deepens their relationship with God, highlighting His eternal consistency and unwavering support.

Final Thoughts

In What Is the Doctrine of Impassibility?, Kevin DeYoung provides a comprehensive exploration of a complex theological concept, tracing its historical roots, addressing contemporary debates, and elucidating its implications for understanding God's nature. By balancing doctrinal precision with accessible explanations, DeYoung offers listeners valuable insights into the immutable and sovereign character of God, reinforcing foundational Christian beliefs.

Notable Quotes:

• Immutability Linked to Impassibility:

  "Neither can his inner state change, for better or worse."
  [01:38] Unknown Speaker 1

• Anthropopathism Clarification:

  "There are anthropopathisms... describing God in ways that we can understand with human emotions."
  [05:09] Unknown Speaker 2

• Attributes of Will Emphasized:

  "God is gracious... He is righteous."
  [12:06] Unknown Speaker 2

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung – A year-long mini systematic theology guide available in print and audio through Crossway.

For more theological insights and resources, listeners are encouraged to visit Crossway.org.