One of the main issues in determining whether God is temporal or not, is which of the dynamic or static theories of time corresponds more accurately to reality. If the static theory of time is correct, there are (by definition) no tensed facts, and so God cannot be temporal. However, things may be very different if the dynamic theory of time is correct.photoshop activation serial
Dynamic Theory of Timephotoshop activation serial
The main feature of the dynamic theory of time (also known as Theory-A, or the tensed theory of time) is the existence of the objective "now". There is privileged moment of time which we call "now", and all events prior to that point are in the past, and all events after that point are in the future. In fact events actually change their status over time. They start off as future events, become present events, and then finally become past events.photoshop activation serial
The present is only real moment of time there is. Past events have already happened (they do not continue to occur in the past), and future events have not occurred yet. Of course, the effects of past events may continue to be felt even those the events themselves no longer exist.photoshop activation serial
So in the dynamic theory of time, time really does flow, and past, present, and future, are a reality.photoshop activation serial
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In the static theory of time (also known as Theory-B, or the tenseless theory of time), there is no such thing as the objective "now". In fact, there is no such thing as the past, present, or future at all. Events can be past, present, or future relative to each other, but they are not objectively past, present, or future. In effect, in the static theory of time, time is treated as a fourth dimension.photoshop activation serial
Events always exist in the static theory of time as there is no objective 'now', and so consequently never become present as they do in the dynamic theory.photoshop activation serial
So What's the Point?photoshop activation serial
As I stated yesterday, a tensed sentence is a sentence requiring knowledge of "now" in order to determine if they are true or not. For example, I am writing this blog entry now. Without knowledge of what date and time it is now, it is impossible to know if this statement is true or not.photoshop activation serial
However, if the static theory of time is correct, there is no such as "now". If that is the case, then tensed facts do not really exist, as there is no "now" for them to refer to. Instead they are really just tenseless facts in disguise.photoshop activation serial
Let's go over that again as it is fairly critical. If the static theory of time is true, tense is just an illusion. Tense is just an expression we use, but does not mean anything in an objective sense.photoshop activation serial
So what does this mean? Well, if the static theory of time is correct, time does not really flow at all. The events of 1964 are still occurring for the people of 1964. All times exist simultaneously - it's just that we only experience one at a time.photoshop activation serial
Consequently, if the static view of time is correct, it seems inescapble that God is outside of time and so perceives all times simultaneously.photoshop activation serial
Of course, if the dynamic view of time is correct, things change somewhat.photoshop activation serial
If there really is an objective "now" - if time is really flowing and the past, present and future really exist - God must be in time to know which events are past, present, and future. photoshop activation serial
For example, regardless of whether God is in time or not, he knows the tenseless fact that Neil Armstrong walks on the moon in 1969. However, if God is outside of time, he cannot know if Neil Armstrong has walked on the moon yet. In the dynamic view of time, events are either past, present or future. We know, since "now" is 2006, that the event of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon is in the past. However, if God is outside of time, he could not know that.photoshop activation serial
Before 1969, that event was in the future. In 1969 it was in the present, and after 1969 it is in the past. It status has changed as time has flowed on. If God knows when these status changes occurred, his knowledge must have changed over time - ergo, he is in time.photoshop activation serial
So, if the dynamic view of time is correct, God is in time. If the static view of time is correct, God timeless. Which view is correct? Well, we'll get onto that shortly.photoshop activation serial
Comments
I'm on the edge of my seat...photoshop activation serial
I vote static!!photoshop activation serial
The whole discussion brorders on irrelevance. I doubt the either the static or the dynamic view is completely accurate. We are at the bottom of a long tunnel of dimensional existence, trying to perceive what is imperceptable by our current equipping. The whole discussion is merely a means of subtly diminishing God.photoshop activation serial
Hey good stuff
I know Im a bit late--tense wise :)
About this
" However, if God is outside of time, he cannot know if Neil Armstrong has walked on the moon yet."photoshop activation serial
This is playing with language. It disregards perspective for the use of words. photoshop activation serial
God knows facts. Your laying out a *condition that makes God in time--when it would be the other way aroundphotoshop activation serial
God being in time would make the condition.photoshop activation serial
This line of reasoning is what some use to say God would not know everything--and thus not be God.photoshop activation serial
Those who say humans would KNOW more than God is incorrect here. God knows the people in 1968 would consider it future and those in 1990 would consider it past...THEY are the ones with the inept knowledge--God is the one who knows all the facts. Its a deficiency to see 1968 as past. You can no more say God is at a disadvantage because he cant sin or cant cease being Almighty. photoshop activation serial
So this is playing with language and human logic to contruct senarios that make God look like the deficient one when its man who doesnt see he is being moved along the time stream.photoshop activation serial
Its a play on words that doesnt step back and look at the big picture of what it is to know reality beyond what a finite being perceives.photoshop activation serial
Just because a human in time perceives and states its NOW..doesnt mean that statement is essentially correct. God is only one who truly exists--so his perspective is the correct one.photoshop activation serial
People have latched on to the word tense as if they have discovered a point of logic that can answer the most puzzling of questions--when in fact all they have done is seen a tree instead of the forest. Its almost like they are too smart for their own good..getting caught up in myopic thinking by painting Almighty God into a corner that he is not in.
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