Examples Of Theological Determinism
Metaphysics
Theological determinism, also known as theological fatalism, states that if an all-knowing God knows what we will do in the future, then this proves that we do not have free will. This is the idea that, if God knows the future, and God cannot be wrong, then the future must be predetermined. Psalm 139 says that prior to our birth, God has written in His book all the ordained days for our lives. Throughout the Bible are stories that support the idea that God knows what the future holds. An example would be that in the New Testament, it is recorded that Peter will deny Jesus three times – and it happened. Followers of the Christian faith believe that God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient.
When it comes to the topic of whether we have free will or not, philosophers …show more content…
Christian philosophers Boethius and St. Thomas Aquinas said that if “God exists outside of time, then God’s knowledge is not tied to any particular date and the power to make free choices does not affect the past.” You can do what you choose and God will know your choice, even from existing outside of time. The argument goes on and says that just because God can see everything does not mean that a person’s free will is constrained (Ward). I see where these two philosophers are coming from and how this is a popular solution, but I disagree that God exists outside of time. The Bible makes it clear that He knows the time of our death. Job 14:5 says that, “Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed (Graham).” So in order for God to know the exact date and time we will die, then He must exist in time, right? God may be able to exist outside of time since he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfectly good. People are still arguing whether or not God exists outside of time, and we may never know the
Theological determinism, also known as theological fatalism, states that if an all-knowing God knows what we will do in the future, then this proves that we do not have free will. This is the idea that, if God knows the future, and God cannot be wrong, then the future must be predetermined. Psalm 139 says that prior to our birth, God has written in His book all the ordained days for our lives. Throughout the Bible are stories that support the idea that God knows what the future holds. An example would be that in the New Testament, it is recorded that Peter will deny Jesus three times – and it happened. Followers of the Christian faith believe that God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient.
When it comes to the topic of whether we have free will or not, philosophers …show more content…
Christian philosophers Boethius and St. Thomas Aquinas said that if “God exists outside of time, then God’s knowledge is not tied to any particular date and the power to make free choices does not affect the past.” You can do what you choose and God will know your choice, even from existing outside of time. The argument goes on and says that just because God can see everything does not mean that a person’s free will is constrained (Ward). I see where these two philosophers are coming from and how this is a popular solution, but I disagree that God exists outside of time. The Bible makes it clear that He knows the time of our death. Job 14:5 says that, “Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed (Graham).” So in order for God to know the exact date and time we will die, then He must exist in time, right? God may be able to exist outside of time since he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfectly good. People are still arguing whether or not God exists outside of time, and we may never know the