The problem with Arius’ view of God, according to Athanasius, is that Arius’ self-contained and perfect God is sterile. Arius’ God needs nothing. Consequently, Arius’ God cannot love. Love, according to McGill, presupposes need. The Son needs the Father and the Father, to be love, needs the Son. By placing need and dependency (the Son) within the Godhead, the dynamic, mutual, and self-giving nature of love is now found to characterize the life of God.
