Much contemporary debate surrounds the traditional teaching that God is unchanging. It is frequently argued that an immutable God must be cold, remote, indifferent, and uncaring―that an unchanging God cannot be the triune God of love revealed in Scripture. Those who reject divine immutability often single out Thomas Aquinas as its most prominent proponent. Unfortunately, such critics of his theology frequently misunderstand the fundamentals of Aquinas's actual teaching. 
The Unchanging God of Love provides a clear and comprehensive account of what Aquinas really says about divine immutability, presented in a way that allows his theology to address contemporary criticisms. The book first reviews the various ways Aquinas applies the notion of immutability to creatures, showing that he is well aware of both the positive and negative implications of the concept. It then analyzes all of his arguments for divine immutability that are presented in his writings, noting his care in determining which aspects of immutability are to be affirmed and which are to be denied of God. It also demonstrates the distinctiveness of Aquinas's teaching by examining the biblical, patristic, and philosophical sources he employs.
Aquinas's unchanging God proves to be no static deity, but the dynamic, trinitarian plenitude of knowledge, love, and life, to whom not only immutability but also motion may in some way be attributed. A study of "the motion of the motionless God" reveals how the concepts of both motion and immutability function in Aquinas's understanding of the Trinity, the Incarnation, Creation, and Providence. Through this study, it becomes clear that the unchanging God of Aquinas, far from being indifferent or remote, is truly the God of compassion and love revealed in Scripture, who shares a most intimate friendship with the people he has created and redeemed.
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
 Michael J. Dodds, O.P., is professor of philosophy and theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California. He is coauthor of The Seeker's Guide to Seven Life-Changing Virtues and Happily Ever After Begins Here and Now: Living the Beatitudes Today.
 PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: 
 "In The Unchanging God of Love, Dodds fearlessly asserts that an unchanging God can indeed be a God of love, and that any contradiction of this is rooted in misrepresentation of Aquinas' authentic theology. Writing in a prose inviting and readable even for non-theologian types, Dodds offers an honest account of how this theology applies to both God and earthly creatures." ― Maura Beth Pagano, Seattle University Magazine

The Unchanging God of Love: Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary Theology on Divine Immutability, Second Edition

Religion & Spirituality

Dodds, Michael J.

Christian Books & Bibles

The Catholic University of America Press

"An introduction to Thomas Aquinass theology of the One Creator God, this book provides a basic explanation of Aquinass theology, while showing its compatibility with contemporary science and relevance to current theological issues"--

The One Creator God in Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary Theology (Sacra Doctrina)

The second book in the "Seeker Series, Living the Beatitudes Today" is written for people seeking to add more meaning, purpose, and joy to their lives. Authors Bill and Michael Dodds examine the Beatitudes, Jesus' prescriptions for finding peace and happiness, explaining what the words meant in biblical times and how they have been interpreted by saints and scholars throughout the centuries.

Happily Ever After Begins Here and Now: Living the Beatitudes Today (Seeker Series)

Dodds, Bill

Loyola Pr

Book by Dodds, Bill, Dodds, Michael J.

The Seeker's Guide to 7 Life-Changing Virtues (Seeker Series)

Religious Studies

This book takes the words Jesus used in each Beatitude and examines what they meant in biblical times, how they have been interpreted by saints and scholars throughout the centuries, and how their timeless wisdom can be applied to life today. This book is written for people who want to add more meaning, purpose, and joy to their lives. It is the perfect book for people who want to explore the riches of the Beatitudes on the road to living a happy, complete, and blessed life.

Happily Ever After Begins Here and Now: Living the Beatitudes Today

Bill Dodds