Being of God in Maimonides and Aquinas

• In Event: Christian Influences on Medieval Jewish Philosophy and Theology

Abstract

This paper develops a positive theology out of Maimonides' interpretation of Ex 3:14 using Neo Thomist Catholic Theology. This allows for appreciation of God as Absolute Being which in turn opens up a theology of God as Eternal, Perfect, Good,and One. Humans then are contingent beings inherently less perfect in divine virtues but nevertheless able to aspire to these perfections. The paper ends with a discussion of the Structure of Jewish Theology as based on God as Absolute Being and Humans as contingent beings with Torah as vehicle of mediation.

Author

• Steven Kepnes, Colgate University