Theology Club: Seeing possibilities?

[Jamie Gigliotti]

If the future has not happened yet, (as it is perceived by us to not have happened yet); and God is not limited by anything other than Himself; and if we all have a free will, choices to make; would anything inhibit God from seeing every possible choice that could unfold and the infinite possible ramifications that could make up the future? All the while His Spirit works to move earthly hearts into His will as it is in Heaven.

In effect God seeing so much more and knowing so much more than one finite future.

 

[Lighthouse]

If the future has not happened yet, (as it is perceived by us to not have happened yet); and God is not limited by anything other than Himself; and if we all have a free will, choices to make; would anything inhibit God from seeing every possible choice that could unfold and the infinite possible ramifications that could make up the future? All the while His Spirit works to move earthly hearts into His will as it is in Heaven.

In effect God seeing so much more and knowing so much more than one finite future.

Only His self interest in not being bored out of His mind.

 

[Jamie Gigliotti]

Only His self interest in not being bored out of His mind.

That is really funny!

On a serious note I do think our freedom does possibly remove some of the boredom of a completely determined existence, an awfully lonely existence.

 

[Lighthouse]

That is really funny!

On a serious note I do think our freedom does possibly remove some of the boredom of a completely determined existence, an awfully lonely existence.

Certainly, but thinking about it would be blasé.

 

[Jamie Gigliotti]

Certainly, but thinking about it would be blasé.

How would it be different than the loving concern earthly parents express as we attempt to guide our children onto better paths?

 

[Lighthouse]

How would it be different than the loving concern earthly parents express as we attempt to guide our children onto better paths?

Because that's a lot to consider [understatement of eternity]. Why consider every single possibility when what actually matters is what is?

 

[Jamie Gigliotti]

Because that's a lot to consider [understatement of eternity]. Why consider every single possibility when what actual matters is what is?

The point being that if there is free will and that God has demonstrated His desire to align our will with His, and also God has power see beyond the present, the erratic nature of our will open ups the possibility that this is true.

A determinist's view seems to be defeated with God responding to prayer and relenting in the midst of choices such as the Ninevites.
Open theist's then wrestle with God having some knowledge of the future (Peter's denial), which negate's no knowledge of the future.

If our relation to Him is interactive, free, fluid and yet He has some knowledge of where we are going, I think logically 'seeing possibilties' in a mind that can not be fathomed could possibly be true.

But honestly I do think this is territory that here we may only be able to "know in part".

 

[Lighthouse]

The point being that if there is free will and that God has demonstrated His desire to align our will with His, and also God has power see beyond the present, the erratic nature of our will open ups the possibility that this is true.

A determinist's view seems to be defeated with God responding to prayer and relenting in the midst of choices such as the Ninevites.
Open theist's then wrestle with God having some knowledge of the future (Peter's denial), which negate's no knowledge of the future.

If our relation to Him is interactive, free, fluid and yet He has some knowledge of where we are going, I think logically 'seeing possibilties' in a mind that can not be fathomed could possibly be true.

But honestly I do think this is territory that here we may only be able to "know in part".

I can't say that I disagree here, but I do feel the need to point out that as an open theist myself I do not believe, and have never heard an open theist say, that God has absolutely no knowledge of the future.

 

[Bright Raven]

I can't say that I disagree here, but I do feel the need to point out that as an open theist myself I do not believe, and have never heard an open theist say, that God has absolutely no knowledge of the future.

Is God's knowledge of the future limited and if so in what way?

 

[Lighthouse]

Is God's knowledge of the future limited and if so in what way?

1. Yes.
2. However He wants it to be.
3. In that the future does not exist to be known.

He can know His plans, and whether they are certain or contingent.

Jesus willfully gave up His knowledge of the plans of certain events, citing that the Father was the only One Who knew the time of His return, for instance.

 

[Bright Raven]

1. Yes.
2. However He wants it to be.
3. In that the future does not exist to be known.

He can know His plans, and whether they are certain or contingent.

Jesus willfully gave up His knowledge of the plans of certain events, citing that the Father was the only One Who knew the time of His return, for instance.

So, are you saying that His knowledge is limited? If so doesn't that nullify His omniscience?

 

[Lighthouse]

So, are you saying that His knowledge is limited?

No. The object of knowledge is limited.

If my hand is empty and someone asks what color the ball in my hand is I would not be wrong if I did not answer that question with the name of a color. And one would not say that my knowledge was limited because I did not answer thusly.

If so doesn't that nullify His omniscience?

Is His omniscience nullified because He cannot tell you the population of Wonderland?