Richard Holland: God, Time, and the Incarnation Pt 3

[Jefferson]

Richard Holland: God, Time, and the Incarnation Pt 3

This is the show from Monday July 28th, 2014

Summary:

Today we air Part Three of the most important series of author interviews ever produced in the 24-year history of Bob Enyart Live. Richard Holland is assistant professor of apologetics and theology with Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Holland authored the new book, God, Time, and the Incarnation to explore the impact of God the Son becoming a man on the philosophical doctrines of divine timelessness and utter immutability. Rather than conducting a typical author interview and squeezing an overview of a book into a single show segment, instead, Bob and Richard agreed that they will take their time and review the material as though the two men had half a day free to sit next to a fireplace in a coffee shop to consider one of the most far-reaching observations that any human being can make. Consider the insight into ultimate reality provided by the Incarnation of God the Son! We hope you enjoy this 7-interview series as much as we have enjoyed producing it! So, brace yourself.

 

[Tambora]

Several interesting points in this interview.

One being that if everything is "now" to God, then words like foreknowledge and predestination are reduced to just figures of speech.

 

[Stripe]

I've often wondered: If men cannot comprehend God given that He is outside of time -- as Calvinists claim -- and the Bible presents Him as relating normally with people so that we can comprehend Him, where did Calvinists get their understanding of God?

 

[Tambora]

Another point made in the interview:

If everything is "now" with God, then there never was/is/will be a period with God that the creation does not exist.

 

[Nang]

I've often wondered: If men cannot comprehend God given that He is outside of time -- as Calvinists claim -- and the Bible presents Him as relating normally with people so that we can comprehend Him, where did Calvinists get their understanding of God?

Calvinists do not claim God is incomprehensible.

Finite beings are limited in their knowledge of infinite God, but what we do know of God is comprehensible and true.

All believers (including Calvinists) receive understanding of God from His revelations of Himself. Revelations found in the Holy Scriptures alone.

 

[Nang]

Another point made in the interview:

If everything is "now" with God, then there never was/is/will be a period with God that the creation does not exist.

Time had a beginning.

God did not.

 

[S0ZO]

The idea that God is outside of time could only be devised by someone who is indwelt by a demon.

 

[Nang]

Several interesting points in this interview.

One being that if everything is "now" to God, then words like foreknowledge and predestination are reduced to just figures of speech.

Infinite God condescends to our finite level, so that we can have true understanding of His will, despite our creaturely and fallen limitations.

What you touch upon above, are revelations of God's divine attributes, which are essential to our actually knowing Him.

To begin to consider His attributes as mere figure of speech, is to lose knowledge of His Person, purposes, and good pleasures (will).

 

[Nang]

The idea that God is outside of time could only be devised by someone who is indwelt by a demon.

Calvinists do not teach God is not interacting in time, if that is your inference.

 

[S0ZO]

Calvinists do not teach God is not interacting in time, if that is your inference.

Maybe I should have also stated... "The idea that time is a created thing could only be devised by someone possessed by a demon".

 

[Nang]

Another point made in the interview:

If everything is "now" with God, then there never was/is/will be a period with God that the creation does not exist.

A superior and more accurate observation would be: there never was/is/will be a possibility that the Creator does not exist.

 

[S0ZO]

A superior and more accurate observation would be: there never was/is/will be a possibility that the Creator does not exist.

That doesn't address the point

 

[Nang]

Maybe I should have also stated... "The idea that time is a created thing could only be devised by someone possessed by a demon".

So you believe time is uncreated, without beginning?

Time has no measure and proves to be infinite?

That describes the Creator. Are you saying time is God?

 

[Nang]

That doesn't address the point

What is your point?

 

[S0ZO]

So you believe time is uncreated, without beginning?

Time has no measure and proves to be infinite?

That describes the Creator. Are you saying time is God?

Has God always existed?

Are you saying God created existence?

 

[S0ZO]

What is your point?

The point of Tambora's post was not addressed in your post.

 

[Nang]

Has God always existed?

Are you saying God created existence?

Existence describes the creation . .

The Creator of all that exists surpasses the work of His hands.

Do you know of any Scripture that speaks of God existing?

 

[S0ZO]

So you believe time is uncreated, without beginning?

Of course, because time is not a thing.

Time has no measure and proves to be infinite?

Is measure created? Is infinite created?

Is movement created? Is communication created?

 

[S0ZO]

Existence describes the creation . .

God does not exist?

Do you know of any Scripture that speaks of God existing?

Are you asking yourself?

A superior and more accurate observation would be: there never was/is/will be a possibility that the Creator does not exist.

 

[Nang]

Of course, because time is not a thing.

So please define "beginning" of Genesis 1:1, and John 1:1.

Is measure created?

Is a day a measure? Did God create day?

Is infinite created?

Can infinity be measured?

Is movement created?

Whose movement? Man's or God's?

Is communication created?

Whose communication? Man's or God's?