The Literal Meaning of Genesis
BOOK EIGHT 63
CHAPTER 22
Motion 1n space is impossible for a spiritual creature; motion in space and time 1s impossible for God.
43. Even if it is hard to understand, we should admit that a spiritual creature without local motion in itself moves a body through space, and that God without temporal motion in Himself moves a spiritual creature through time. One perhaps might not wish to admit this with regard to the soul, although without doubt he would not only admit it but also understand it if he could conceive of the soul as an incorporeal being, as it is. Indeed, is it not easily seen that a being which!®! has no extension in space cannot have local motion? Whatever is extended in space is a body, and consequently the soul should not be thought of as moving in space if it is admitted that it is not a body. But if one is unwilling to admit this with regard to the soul, we need not be adamant in insisting on the point. However, unless one believes that the substance of God is without any motion either in time or in space, he does not yet believe that God is completely unchangeable.
CHAPTER
God, forever unchangeable, moves creatures through time and space, subjecting the lower to the higher in a hierarchical order.
44. The nature of the Trinity is absolutely immutable and hence so perfectly eternal that nothing can be coeternal with It. Dwelling with Itself and in Itself beyond all time and space, It nevertheless moves through time and space the creatures dependent upon It.!° It creates beings by Its goodness, and It rules wills by Its power, so that there is no being not from It, and as far as wills are concerned, there is no good will that It does not assist!93 and no evil will that It cannot use for a good purpose. But since God did not give free will to all beings, those to whom