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The concept of Eternal Being in Christianity

Eternal Being in Christianity encompasses the idea of God as an eternal, unchangeable entity that exists beyond time and space. It highlights His nature as the Creator, characterized by absolute existence without beginning or end, and reflects His love, which endures forever. Different Christian traditions, including Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Catholicism, articulate this concept as a divine essence that is constant and incorruptible. Ultimately, Eternal Being signifies the timeless existence of God and the profound relationship of that existence to humanity.

Synonyms: Divine entity, Infinite existence, Everlasting soul, Immortal entity, Timeless being, Perpetual existence, Timeless existence, Infinite spirit., Everlasting existence, Timeless presence, Unending life

In Dutch: Eeuwig Wezen; In Finnish: Ikuinen Oleminen; In Spanish: Ser eterno; In German: Ewiges Sein; In Malay: Wujud Kekal; In Swedish: Evig Varelse; In French: 脢tre 茅ternel

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Eternal Being'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The text states that the Eternity which is set in our hearts is not merely the thought of ever-during Being, or of an everlasting order of things to which we are in some way related, and that God has put eternity in your heart.[1] (2) The text refers to eternal being, which is discussed when the author is speaking about the length of the love of Christ, and how it is life to say that Christ's love endures forever.[2] (3) The text describes the name Jehovah as emphasizing the absolute, underived, and therefore unlimited, unconditioned, unchangeable, eternal being of God.[3] (4) This is where the vision of the throned 'Lamb, as it had been slain' is the centre.[4] (5) This is the state of being, where every man that has died is at this instant in the full possession of all his faculties, in the intensest exercise of all his capacities.[5]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The timeless and infinite existence of God, as reflected in His relationship with the Son.[6]

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This describes a being that is without beginning and is incorporeal, and it is the cause of all existence.[7] (2) This phrase is used to describe the attribute of something that is unchangeable, and is used in relation to matter, as an aspect of its nature, according to the text.[8] (3) A reference to God, highlighting that He has no origin or end and exists outside the constraints of time and change.[9] (4) A concept referring to entities that exist outside of time and change, which cannot be diminished or subjected, and is ultimately invoked to argue that evil cannot be inherent to such beings.[10]

From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary

(1) A state of existence that is unending and unchanging, which individuals are said to attain before physical incarnation.[11]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) This refers to something that exists forever, without any beginning or end, and it is independent of anything else.[12] (2) This describes the nature of God as an infinite, incorruptible, and spiritual entity, which cannot be accurately represented by physical forms.[13] (3) The concept of a being that has no beginning or end, which is necessary to prevent contradictory conclusions about existence.[14]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) The state of permanent existence, and the divine being is not successive but permanent, which is relevant to the discussion of God's presence everywhere.[15] (2) The infinite and unchanging nature of the Divine essence of the Son of God.[16]

From: Works of St. Anselm

(1) The essence of the supreme Spirit that remains constant and uncreated, independent of the existence of other beings.[17]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Eastern Orthodoxy (or the Eastern Orthodox Church):
Eastern Orthodoxy Books

From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

(1) This is a name for God, and it is a state of being, that is eternal and never growing old, and it is a part of the many names of God.[18] (2) Entities that exist beyond the limitations of time and space, as referred to by the Oracles.[19]

Eastern Orthodoxy, or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Christianity. It consists of independently governed churches with strong cultural ties to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Eastern Orthodox theology focuses on the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers strive for theosis, or becoming closer to God, through grace and spiritual practices.  

Plural form: Eternal beings.