The Incompatibility of Divine Immutability and Divine Will: A Critique of Theodore Drange’s Argument Based on Islamic Theology and Philosophy

Esfandiarpour, Jaber; Yosofian, Hasan

doi:10.22067/epk.2025.91655.1405

The Incompatibility of Divine Immutability and Divine Will: A Critique of Theodore Drange’s Argument Based on Islamic Theology and Philosophy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Jaber Esfandiarpour ¹

Hasan yosofian ²

¹ philosophy of religion, Imam khomeini education and research institute, Qom, Iran

² theology and philosophy of religion. Imam Khomeini education and research institute

10.22067/epk.2025.91655.1405

Abstract

Contemporary atheists often seek to establish their denial of God's existence by arguing that the divine attributes are mutually inconsistent. In some cases, they claim that a single attribute—such as omniscience or omnipotence— is internally contradictory; in others, they argue that two or more divine attributes cannot coherently coexist in a single being and, on this basis, they conclude that a God possessing such attributes cannot exist. Among the alleged incompatibilities is that between divine immutability and divine will. This article analyzes these two attributes, examines the arguments supporting their attribution to God, and seeks to demonstrate their compatibility. Finally, it concludes that the argument based on the alleged incompatibility between divine immutability and divine will fails to establish the atheistic claim.

Keywords

Atheism

Divine Immutability

Divine Will

Incompatibility of Divine Attributes

Philosophy of Religion

Subjects

Islamic Philosophy and Kalam

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