Aseity
While commonly discussed in Christian theology, many Jewish and Muslim theologians have also believed God to be independent in this way.[1] This quality of independence and self-existence has been affirmed under various names by theologians going back to antiquity, though the use of the word 'aseity' began only in the Middle Ages.[1] W. N. Clarke writes: In its negative meaning, which emerged first in the history of thought, it [aseity] affirms that God is uncaused, depending on no other being for the source of His existence.In its positive meaning, it affirms that God is completely self-sufficient, having within Himself the sufficient reason for His own existence.Since God was, and is, and is to be the Absolute Perfection, there is no need to change: he is αὐτουσία (unchanged: Gregory of Nyssa),[5][6] actus purus[7] and ipsum esse subsistens[8][9] (Thomas Aquinas).