Divine Infinity and Human Progress

Abstract

Hilary of Poitiers’s doctrine of divine infinity lies at the foundation of his theological project, and its full significance for his overall thought has not been realized. This chapter argues that it cannot be without an exploration of the exegetical foundation of the doctrine in De Trinitate, namely, John 1:1–4. The argument begins by showing first how infinity transforms Hilary’s argument of Father-Son relations. Second, this transformation aids Hilary toward a working definition of divine infinity. Third, this chapter shows that Hilary provides a new interpretation of the critical text of Proverbs 8:22 due to his John 1:1–4 interpretive foundation. This has immense implications for his trinitarian anthropology. Fourth, these implications are elucidated through his understanding of a progressus in infinitum of the mind toward the infinite God. Hilary’s discussion of divine infinity has significant epistemological conclusions, which reorient how humanity is seen to know and relate to God.