St. John Damascene on the Most Proper Name of God: He-Who-Is

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A few days ago, we noted that St. Thomas Aquinas identified the name most proper (i.e. unique) name of God as Qui Est or “He-Who-Is” (see post: ‘Qui Est’ as God’s Most Proper Name in Thomas Aquinas). Turns out that St. Thomas Aquinas is merely repeating the insight of St. John Damascene:

It appears then that the most proper of all the names given to God is “He that is,” as He Himself said in answer to Moses on the mountain, Say to the sons of Israel, “He that is” has sent me (Exodus 3:14). For He keeps all being in His own embrace , like a sea of essence infinite and unseen. Or as the holy Dionysius says, “He that is good .” For one cannot say of God that He has being in the first place and goodness in the second.

St. John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith 1, 9

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Category: Thomas Aquinas
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St. John Damascene on the Most Proper Name of God: He-Who-Is

by


A few days ago, we noted that St. Thomas Aquinas identified the name most proper (i.e. unique) name of God as Qui Est or “He-Who-Is” (see post: ‘Qui Est’ as God’s Most Proper Name in Thomas Aquinas). Turns out that St. Thomas Aquinas is merely repeating the insight of St. John Damascene:

It appears then that the most proper of all the names given to God is “He that is,” as He Himself said in answer to Moses on the mountain, Say to the sons of Israel, “He that is” has sent me (Exodus 3:14). For He keeps all being in His own embrace , like a sea of essence infinite and unseen. Or as the holy Dionysius says, “He that is good .” For one cannot say of God that He has being in the first place and goodness in the second.

St. John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith 1, 9

Posted on
Category: Thomas Aquinas
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comments Policy: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic. If your comment contains a hyperlink to another site, your comment automatically goes into "Comments Purgatory" where it waits for release by way of moderation.