Nature Of God: Omniscience

Question 1

What is Divine Foreknowledge?

Answer 1

Knowledge of the future attributed to God

Divine = God; Foreknowledge = knowledge of the future

Question 2

According to the view argued by John Calvin, what happens to human acts if God foreknows them?

Answer 2

They cannot be free or done out of free will

This is based on the premise that if God foresees all acts, they must happen.

Question 3

What biblical verse supports predestination

Answer 3

Ephesians 1:5

‘In love He predestined us…’
indicates God’s prior determination of fate.

Question 4

What does predestination mean in the context of divine foreknowledge?

Answer 4

God determined the fate of the universe before creation

This determination encompasses all of time and space.

Question 5

What does John Calvin argue about the creation of individuals?

Answer 5

‘He does not create everyone in the same condition’

This suggests that God decides eternal life for some and eternal damnation for others.

Question 6

According to Calvin, God has already chosen (pre-elected) who will be _______ and who will be eternally damned.

Answer 6

born
This reflects the belief in predestination.

Question 7

What is the central problem Boethius addresses regarding Divine foreknowledge?

Answer 7

The conflict between Divine foreknowledge and human free will

This issue is explored in Book 5 of ‘The Consolation of Philosophy.’

Question 8

What does Boethius argue about the relationship between God’s knowledge and human actions?

Answer 8

If God knows the future, human actions cannot be free

This raises the question of whether foreknowledge implies predestination.

Question 9

What does Providence refer to in the context of Boethius’ discussion?

Answer 9

Knowledge of the future

Providence implies that God has a complete view of future events.

Question 10

According to Boethius, what would happen if the future could change?

Answer 10

God’s foreknowledge would be considered fallible

Fallible means imperfect or subject to error.

Question 11

Boethius

Question 12

What does Boethius mean by ‘hopeless conflict’?

Answer 12

The contradiction between Divine foreknowledge and the freedom of human will

This highlights the philosophical dilemma faced by Boethius.

Question 13

Boethius argues that if God cannot be fooled or deceived, then whatever God’s ‘______’ foresees will happen.

Answer 13

Providence

Question 14

What does Boethius imply about God’s knowledge if human actions are predetermined?

Answer 14

Human beings are not free agents

This challenges the notion of moral responsibility.

Question 15

What is the significance of the term ‘falling knowledge’ in Boethius’ argument?

Answer 15

It suggests that God’s knowledge would be imperfect if the future could change

This term emphasises the tension between changeability and divine omniscience.

Question 16

What is the main argument against a predeterministic view of God?

Answer 16

It makes reward and punishment pointless.

Question 17

Why is it considered unjust to punish or reward if actions are not free?

Answer 17

Because actions would not be governed by one’s own will.

Question 18

What must humans be in relation to their actions according to Boethius?

Answer 18

The authors of their actions.

Question 19

What are humans responsible for according to Boethius?

Answer 19

Their vices (bad) and virtues (good).

Question 20

What two concepts must coexist for reward and punishment to make sense?

Answer 20

God’s omniscience and human free will.

Question 21

What is one conclusion drawn about God in Boethius’ argument?

Answer 21

God is eternal.

Question 22

God’s _______ explains how God can be both omniscient and allow for free will.

Answer 22

eternity

Answer 23

False

Question 24

How does God perceive time according to the text?

Answer 24

God perceives all of time together as the ‘eternal present’

This means God does not distinguish between past, present, or future.

Question 25

What is the significance of the term 'eternal present' in relation to God's knowledge?

Answer 25

It signifies that God sees all events as eternally present and does not view them as past or future This contrasts with human perception of time.

Question 26

True or False: God knows events as belonging to the past or future.

Answer 26

False God knows events simply as events, without temporal distinction.

Question 27

According to Boethius, what is the nature of God's knowledge of future events?

Answer 27

It is knowledge of a never changing present This implies that God does not predict future events but knows them as they are.

Question 28

God does not see time in a linear fashion, but rather as an _______.

Answer 28

eternal present

Question 29

What does Aquinas mean by 'God sees all things together and not successively'?

Answer 29

God perceives everything simultaneously, not in a linear progression like humans do. This perspective emphasises God's omniscience and timelessness.

Question 30

How does God's view of history differ from a human perspective?

Answer 30

God sees all of history as a whole, rather than sequentially. This contrasts with the human experience of time, which is linear.

Question 31

What is meant by God's 'bird eye' view of history?

Answer 31

It refers to God's ability to observe the entirety of history from a theocentric perspective. This view highlights God's omnipresence and comprehensive understanding of all events.

Question 32

Does God interfere with human free will according to Aquinas?

Answer 32

No, God does not interfere with our free will. This view supports the notion of human autonomy in decision-making.

Question 33

What is the significance of theocentric perspective in understanding God's view?

Answer 33

It emphasizes that God's understanding and observation of history are centered around divine principles rather than human experiences. This perspective is crucial in theological discussions about free will and divine foreknowledge.

Question 34

FAccording to Aquinas, God's view of history is _______.

Answer 34

[theocentric] This term indicates that God's perspective is centered on divine attributes and purposes.

Question 35

Aquinas believes that God's knowledge of events is limited to a linear timeline.

Answer 35

False Aquinas argues that God perceives all events simultaneously, not in a linear fashion.