THEOSISInnocentius of Kherson
A characteristic similar to this is the aspect of divine immutability, which poses a significant challenge to articulate. The Holy Scriptures unequivocally affirm that God is unchanging, immutable, and steadfast. The Old Testament presents this concept in a manner that can sometimes appear simplistic or rudimentary. We find the verse stating, "God does not repent in the likeness of man." This was spoken by Balaam when Balak compelled him to utter a curse rather than a blessing. Balaam further asserts, "God is not ... the son of man, that He should change." This idea recurs frequently among the prophets. When the Israelites voiced their discontent against God for not fulfilling His promises, the prophets encouraged them to maintain hope based on the unwavering nature of God's will.
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For instance, God declares through Isaiah, “What I have said, it shall be done; all my counsel shall be done, and all that I have spoken I will do” (Isaiah 46:10). In the New Testament, this truth is also reflected, notably by the Apostle James, who emphasizes the tangible aspect of immutability: “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). This quality represents a foundational aspect of God's essence, complementing His vastness and eternity, since all change occurs within the confines of time and space.
This leads to a perplexing issue: how can God remain unchanged while all that exists, which exists in Him, undergoes transformation? Similarly, if the world originates from God, how is it that God Himself remains constant? The Scriptures do not directly address this conundrum. Thus, the critical query of reconciling the variability of the physical and moral realms with God's unchangeable nature remains a profound mystery. How can the act of creation not affect the nature of God? Reason alone falls short of providing an answer. Consequently, philosophers venture into these mysteries of revelation, even as philosophy itself is riddled with its own complexities. The initial stages of intellectual pursuit may appear clear, yet as one ascends to higher levels of understanding, clarity gives way to confusion, ultimately leading to a loss of light. In this context, the mind can be likened to a balloon; as it rises higher, illumination decreases while darkness prevails. Numerous similar queries exist that human reason cannot resolve. It is for this reason that some contemporary philosophers have posited that philosophy must culminate in faith, recognizing a limitation beyond which it cannot proceed, suggesting that true metaphysics, in its strictest sense, is unattainable. The understanding of God, in essence, remains a profound subject of contemplation.