Claim. SMM teaches that even the absolute God cannot generate or possess love by Himself — love is constitutively relational, requiring a partner, and this is why God created Adam and Eve.
Elaboration. “I am saying that even the absolute God cannot have love by Himself. Since love is found only in a mutual relationship, no matter how all-knowing and all-powerful God may be, He cannot possess love alone” (5.2.-only-love-is-the-absolute-standard, 138-245, 1986.1.24).
The argument from solitude: “No matter how all-knowing and all-powerful God may be, He cannot be happy when He stays alone doing nothing. Let’s say that a good singer sings a song by himself. Would this make him happy?” (ibid, 65-20, 1972.11.13). Joy presupposes give-and-take; love is the highest case.
The claim grounds the doctrine of creation as necessary for divine love, not merely fitting — a position more daring than classical theism’s creatio ex amore but careful to keep God free in how He creates while constrained in whether He needs an object.
Care needed: SMM does not say God lacked love before creating; rather, that love as a living relation (not as potential) requires actualization in relation. Without this distinction, the claim conflicts with divine aseity — worth a thread once a critic is on hand.
See also. csg-even-god-is-absolutely-obedient-to-love
Referenced by. csg-god-lost-parent-position-through-fall, csg-god-lost-eternal-only-son