Is Divine Simplicity Coherent?

Question

From Wikipedia

In theology, the doctrine of divine simplicity says that God is without parts

Personally, I have a hard time grasping this concept. Moreover, I couldn't find any scriptural support for this doctrine.

Update

A better definition

"When we speak of God’s simplicity then, in the most elementary sense, we are speaking of his not having parts, of his non-compositeness. “We use the term,” Berkhof explains, “to describe the state or quality of being simple, the condition of being free from division into parts, and therefore from compositeness 1”

Secularist would use the Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit to point out how a "simple" God was able to create a very complex universe.

I had a feeling that the doctrine of divine simplicity was born from logical necessity, just as the Euclideian geometry needs aussme that two parallel lines will not intersect.

Oh well, I'm like an ant who couldn't understand what Internet is.

Update 2

I'm currently reading Euthyphro, God's Nature, and the Question of Divine Attributes, which discuss Divine Simplicity, and the philosophies used to describe how God is "simple".

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

Answer 1

The only scriptural notion for divine simplicity I found is a statement by Jesus:

Mark 10:18

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone."

If only God is good, then 'good' and 'God' are synonyms. Simply put, this is a definition: God = Good.

The doctrine of divine simplicity postulates that an attribute is identical to God. Mere logic implicates then that this doctrine is equivalent to the latter definition.

In answer to your questions: Divine Simplicity is coherent for 'God' and 'good'.

Divine Simplicity can result in paradox implications when postulated for multiple attributes: God=Good, God=Just ⇒ Good=Just. However, I do not see straight-forward biblical basis for other attributes in divine simplicity other than good.

Answer 2

The Catholic Encyclopedia provides a great formal definition of the doctrine:

Simplicity of God

God is a simple being or substance excluding every kind of composition, physical or metaphysical. Physical or real composition is either substantial or accidental — substantial, if the being in question consists of two or more substantial principles, forming parts of a composite whole, as man for example, consists of body and soul; accidental, if the being in question, although simple in its substance (as is the human soul), is capable of possessing accidental perfections (like the actual thoughts and volition of man's soul) not necessarily identical with its substance. Now it is clear that an infinite being cannot be substantially composite, for this would mean that infinity is made up of the union or addition of finite parts — a plain contradiction in terms. Nor can accidental composition be attributed to the infinite since even this would imply a capacity for increased perfection, which the very notion of the infinite excludes. There is not, therefore, and cannot be any physical or real composition in God.

• Catholic Encyclopedia, The Nature and Attributes of God, (emphasis mine).

This doctrine follows from the understanding that God is infinite; an infinite being is, by definition without "parts", since you cannot subdivide an infinity into two lessor infinities - unless you are dealing with abstractions and God is not an abstraction, he is a real entity.

To clarify, in response to comments, only an abstract infinity can be logically subdivided; a real entity which is infinite cannot be composed of finite sub-parts. Since this means that there can be only one such infinity, that singular infinity is the being we refer to as God - the eternal uncaused cause.

The best scriptural support for the doctrine seems to be:

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Deut 6:4

Answer 3

I am surprised that no one has brought this up yet.

Genesis 1:26-27 26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..., 27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:...

Exodus 33:11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend...

Acts 7:55 But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

I can list dozens more scriptures that say that God looks like a man and has form. So I would say that there is really no scriptural basis for the fact that 'God is formless,' and there is tons of scriptural basis for the fact that God looks like man or to be more correct as Genesis says, Man was made in the image of God. I fail to see how we could be made in His image if He in fact did not have an image.