Does God know all things that are, have been, and will be?

[Nick M]

Since we both know that God is eternal, then are ALL the "earthly" events in the mind of God eternally (not to mention all the eternal events)? In other words, do you (or Calvinism) believe that those events have always been known by God, and always will be? There can be no creating of the events, if God has eternally known all events. Do you see what I'm asking?

Kind of makes you wonder why Paul would implore people to be reconciled to Christ. Or why Moses claims God brought animals before Adam.

[Nick M]

IHe knows everything, and has always known everything.

Except for when he says he didn't know or planned things out.

[Nang]

I think I understand what you are saying.

If the temporal events are a fulfillment of His eternal purpose, then would you say that those temporal events were eternally fully known?

Yes.

If so, then how can anything ever be conceived as a purpose?

Temporal events are the result of divine purpose.

I understand that I'm not formulating my questions as well as I'd like, but I'm trying to understand how it is perceived by Calvinists (and apparently others) that all things have eternally been present in the mind of God and yet Him having the ability to create or conceive anything in His mind.

Purpose is not "created."

Creation manifests all purposes, just as created mankind's actions reveal their hearts' desires . . . upon which all Godly justice is based.

Nang

[ghost]

I don't think anyone can really explain it.

God is eternal and infinite, therefore He knows everything, and has always known everything.

There are plenty of settled theists and open theists around here that will make you think you are watching some time travel-science fiction movie with a big dose of philosophy thrown in.

I can't explain it.

Good Luck!

Okay, thanks!

Should it not concern us that something that is so highly debated cannot be explained? Especially since it seems to carry so much weight in being a foundation for what we believe about God? Why would anyone be so firm in their belief concerning something that cannot be explained?

[Lighthouse]

Calvinism would have us believe that since God is eternal, He knows all things that are, have been or will be. Is this true?

Have I represented Calvinism's view correctly?

I think this simple version is more along the lines of Arminianism, which is Calvinism Lite.

What I'm asking is (and there is no best way to ask this) if all things that are, have been, or will be are a present reality in eternity? In other words, would you say that as God is, so is all things present in the mind of God?

If you have a better way of explaining your (or Calvinism's) view concerning what God knows, how much He knows, and when He knows it. Please explain. Thanks.

I believe your question is: "Are all of these things simultaneous for God; from His point of view?"

[ghost]

And I'm sure this has been asked before...

So, when God says He no longer remembers our sins, it really means that He doesn't forget them, but that He doesn't take them into account?

[tetelestai]

Why would anyone be so firm in their belief concerning something that cannot be explained?

I'm not as dogmatic about it as you think.

I don't find that being an open theist or a settled theist has a great bearing on one's understanding of the Word of God.

Godrulz and Nick M are open theists; do you ever see them agree on anything?

Nang and STP are settled theists; do you ever see them agree on anything?

[Delmar]

And I'm sure this has been asked before...

So, when God says He no longer remembers our sins, it really means that He doesn't forget them, but that He doesn't take them into account?

I am an OVer but I think that is a reasonable explanation. If God had actual amnesia concerning our sins, it seems to me that it would limit His ability to guide us in the future.

[ghost]

I am an OVer but I think that is a reasonable explanation. If God had actual amnesia concerning our sins, it seems to me that it would limit His ability to guide us in the future.

How then does God, in His mind, take into account and not take into account our sins eternally?

Isn't it limiting God's ability to think a new thought if He knows everything eternally?

[ghost]

Anyway, thanks for everyone's thoughts.

[Nang]

And I'm sure this has been asked before...

So, when God says He no longer remembers our sins, it really means that He doesn't forget them, but that He doesn't take them into account?

It means He no longer legally marks or recognizes (Hebrew "zakar") our sins against us.

Which is the result of imputed righteousness of the last Adam, that legally overrules and pardons (removes) the imputation of guilt imposed upon us through the first Adam.

Are you an absolute and pure literalist?

Nang

[Nang]

How then does God, in His mind, take into account and not take into account our sins eternally?

I am a Supralapsarian Reformer, who believes that before God created He knew and took into account that creatures He brought forth into being, would not measure up to His moral commands, nor His glory. (God did not intend to "create" infinite beings equal to Himself. God is uncreate by definition, so even God would not create "Gods.")

Thus, before creation, Father and Son covenanted to redeem men who would most certainly prove to be finite and sinful (fall short of the glory of God).

Isn't it limiting God's ability to think a new thought if He knows everything eternally?

If God absolutely knows all, what could be defined as added or "new?" Such would be a logical contradiction.

Reformed Christians do not limit God in any capacity/ability and do not believe anything can or should be added to the definition of God or His eternal purposes; nor is there anything in this creation that is "new" to God.

Such is solely a demeaning OV theory which is not biblical at all.

Nang

[ghost]

Thus, before creation, Father and Son covenanted to redeem men who would most certainly prove to be finite and sinful (fall short of the glory of God).

How can that possibly be, since everything is already known?

It means He no longer legally marks or recognizes (Hebrew "zakar") our sins against us.

So, according to you (and Calvinism) God has every detestable human act throughout "earthly" history eternally present in His mind, because He knows "all" things?

[Ktoyou]

I don't think anyone can really explain it.

God is eternal and infinite, therefore He knows everything, and has always known everything.

There are plenty of settled theists and open theists around here that will make you think you are watching some time travel-science fiction movie with a big dose of philosophy thrown in.

I can't explain it.

Good Luck!

I can explain it, but that does not mean I am going to explain it.

[steko]

I can explain it, but that does not mean I am going to explain it.

Yeah.....I do that all th' time!