Classical Theism and Jewish Conceptions of God

Abstract

In this chapter, I relate to Classical Theism as the position according to which God exists and is (1) omnipotent, (2) omniscient, (3) omnibenevolent, (4) simple, (5) atemporally eternal, and (6) impassable. Furthermore, I contend that claims (4)–(6) are the three claims that distinguish Classical Theism from neighboring forms of Monotheism. The question at the heart of this chapter is whether a Jew who accepts that the Written and Oral Torah are the product of revelation should accept those three claims. Claims (1)–(3) will be hard for such a Jew to deny outright. But what about claims (4)–(6)? Clearly, many devout Jewish thinkers have been Classical Theists, some of whom, such as Maimonides, exerted a considerable influence over Classical Theists in the Muslim and Christian traditions. They endorsed all six claims. In section 9.1, I explore the reasons that led such Jewish thinkers to endorse (4)–(6). In section 9.2, I raise some problems that emerge for those thinkers. In §3, I suggest some Jewish alternatives to Classical Theism, in order to escape the problems raised in §2.