Section 7: Essence and Being — God’s Self-Existence vs. Human Dependence
1. Introduction
At the foundation of all metaphysics and theology lies the question of being—what it means to exist. Christian doctrine teaches that God alone possesses aseity (self-existence), while all other beings, including humans, are contingent, created, and dependent. This contrast marks the most fundamental ontological divide between Creator and creature. In this section, we explore the doctrine of divine aseity, the nature of human dependence, and the implications for worship, humility, and philosophical theology.
2. God’s Self-Existence in Scripture
Aseity (from Latin a se = “from itself”) is the doctrine that God exists by Himself, from Himself, and through Himself. He is not caused, composed, or sustained by anything outside of Himself.
Key affirmations:
- “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14) — God’s self-revealed name expresses pure being
- “The Father has life in himself” (John 5:26)
- “From him and through him and to him are all things” (Romans 11:36)
God’s essence is:
- Necessary – He cannot not exist
- Unchanging – His being is not subject to growth, decay, or external causation (Mal. 3:6)
- Independent – He relies on nothing to sustain His existence (Acts 17:25)
- Simple – His attributes are not parts but are identical with His essence (Aquinas, Summa Theologiae)
This distinguishes God from all created beings, who receive and borrow existence rather than possess it inherently.
3. Human Beings as Dependent Creatures
In stark contrast, human beings are contingent—we exist because we were created and are continually sustained by God.
- “The LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7)
- “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)
- “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
Human existence is:
- Derived – we came into being by God’s will (Rev. 4:11)
- Composite – body, soul, and spirit; susceptible to dissolution (Eccl. 12:7)
- Dependent – reliant on food, breath, relationships, and divine providence
- Vulnerable – subject to death, sickness, fatigue, and contingency
We do not possess being, but participate in it as creatures of the One who is Being itself (cf. Thomas Aquinas’ doctrine of esse).
4. Comparative Analysis: Self-Existence vs. Creaturely Dependence
| Aspect | Divine Nature (Aseity) | Human Nature (Contingency) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin of Being | Self-existent (Exod. 3:14) | Created by God (Gen. 2:7) |
| Necessity | Necessary being—cannot not exist | Contingent being—could have not existed |
| Sustainability | Sustains Himself (John 5:26) | Must be sustained externally (Col. 1:17) |
| Composition | Simple, indivisible essence | Composed of parts—body and soul (Gen. 2:7) |
| Changeability | Immutable (Mal. 3:6) | Changeable, grows, decays, dies (James 4:14) |
| Dependency | Independent of all (Acts 17:25) | Entirely dependent on God and environment |
| Duration | Eternal, uncaused (Ps. 90:2) | Temporal, caused (Eccl. 3:1–2) |
5. Theological and Philosophical Insights
a. The Creator-Creature Distinction
God is not the highest being within a chain of beings but is Being itself (ipsum esse subsistens). This makes Him categorically distinct from all creation. Everything else “is” only because He “is” necessarily.
b. The Doctrine of Divine Simplicity
God is not made up of parts (e.g., attributes added together), but is one, indivisible essence. He is not merely loving—He is love (1 John 4:8). This simplicity flows from His aseity: a being dependent on no parts is a being dependent on nothing.
c. Human Fragility as Theological Insight
Our contingency is not a flaw but a truthful reflection of creaturely status. Recognising our dependence leads to worship, gratitude, and humility. As Calvin notes, “man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God” (Institutes 1.1.2).
6. Christological Fulfilment: The Word Made Flesh
In the person of Jesus Christ, the self-existent Word took on dependent human nature:
- “In him was life” (John 1:4)
- “Though he was in the form of God… he emptied himself” (Philippians 2:6–7)
- “He became obedient to death…” (Philippians 2:8)
Though fully divine, Christ embraced creaturely dependency—hunger, fatigue, sorrow, and ultimately death—so that the created might be reunited with the Creator. The resurrection affirms the restoration of life from the Source of Life Himself.
7. Practical Implications for Christian Life
- Humility: We are not self-made—we are utterly dependent (James 1:17)
- Worship: Only the One who is eternal and self-sustaining deserves ultimate trust and glory (Rev. 4:11)
- Security: Because our being is held by God, we are safe in His hands (John 10:28)
- Mission: Every breath and gift is entrusted to us for God’s purposes (1 Pet. 4:10)
8. Conclusion
The contrast between God’s self-existence and humanity’s dependence reminds us that God is not like us. He is uncaused, unchanging, and unlimited, while we are created, sustained, and subject to frailty. Yet this contrast is not a cause for fear—it is the foundation of hope. For the One who needs nothing has chosen to create, redeem, and dwell with those who depend on Him for everything.
References
- Aquinas, T. (1274/2006). Summa Theologiae, I.3; I.44.
- Calvin, J. (1559/1960). Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster Press.
- Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology. Leicester: IVP.
- Packer, J. I. (1973). Knowing God. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- Sproul, R. C. (1985). Chosen by God. Wheaton: Tyndale House.
- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
- The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)