On what basis do we distinguish God from the world? I argue that the doctrine of creation, more specifically the analogical notion of causa, supplies a salutary foundation. My conversation partners are Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas. I take up the former's five conditions for a right theological use of causa, demonstrating that despite his basic misreading of Thomas, both theologians share some basic convictions regarding God's independence. I argue, moreover, that Thomas provides a more theologically satisfying anchor for what distinguishes God from what is not God. I conclude by reflecting on the importance of experience in articulating the distinction.

中文翻译：

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重新审视上帝/世界的差异

我们根据什么来区分上帝和世界？我认为创造论，更具体地说，因果关系的类比概念，提供了有益的基础。我的谈话伙伴是卡尔·巴特和托马斯·阿奎那。我采用了前者正确神学使用因果关系的五个条件，表明尽管他对托马斯有基本的误读，但两位神学家都对上帝的独立性有一些基本的信念。此外，我认为，托马斯为区分上帝与非上帝的事物提供了一个在神学上更令人满意的锚。最后，我会反思经验在阐明区别方面的重要性。