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God, Time, and the Afterlife

Hypersonic

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This may contribute to the problem of freewill but its an enigma I have struggled with for a long time. In Judeo-Christian and Islamic philosophy God's knowledge encompasses past, present, future. According to philosophers, this knowledge of past, present, and future is simultaneous whereas our concept of time is linear. So the problem I see with the knowledge of God is, if I experience time in linear fashion, and God sees my life simultaneously, then God knows where my future self is although I don't. That is, although I experience life in linear fashion my future self after death is somewhere else or at my destination. I wonder if upon death does one traverse to their future self/destination?
 
This may contribute to the problem of freewill but its an enigma I have struggled with for a long time. In Judeo-Christian and Islamic philosophy God's knowledge encompasses past, present, future. According to philosophers, this knowledge of past, present, and future is simultaneous whereas our concept of time is linear. So the problem I see with the knowledge of God is, if I experience time in linear fashion, and God sees my life simultaneously, then God knows where my future self is although I don't. That is, although I experience life in linear fashion my future self after death is somewhere else or at my destination. I wonder if upon death does one traverse to their future self/destination?

Perhaps you go back to where you came from and time is only existent in the human form. In this embodiment, your vision is limited to light in a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum and perhaps in another life, another band. You'd be better off to try to conceptualize the beginning and go from there.
 
I do not think human freewill is possible with an omnipotent god.
 
Perhaps you go back to where you came from and time is only existent in the human form. In this embodiment, your vision is limited to light in a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum and perhaps in another life, another band. You'd be better off to try to conceptualize the beginning and go from there.

I see what you're saying but if I go back where I came from according to the knowledge of God, I am already there now?
 
Anything is possible with an omnipotent God. Including us having free will.

Why wouldn't it be? He's able to do anything.
 
My guess is that we cycle like the day. As for time, it's possible that God is outside of it. Maybe that's the goal, or maybe the goal is simply to be one raindrop meeting other raindrops on the way to the sea.
 
Anything is possible with an omnipotent God. Including us having free will.

Why wouldn't it be? He's able to do anything.

Well the discussion is solely not about freewill.
 
Can God make a rock that's too big for Him to move?

Anything is possible with an omnipotent God. Including us having free will.

Why wouldn't it be? He's able to do anything.
 
I think some are missing the point of the point of the OP. I guess I've done a poor job at being clear when conveying what I am trying to say. Allow me to condense my point in the following:

Point 1: God is omniscient. God knows past, present, and future simultaneously (think of this as watching 100 televisions in front of you watching your favorite shows all at the same time).

Point 2: Human knowledge of time is linear, therefore existence is experienced through sequences.

Point 3: If God knows my past, present, and future, as a human who experiences linear time, and since God can see my past, present, and future therefore as I exist now on earth God knows my future after earth.


Adding to point 3, since I am currently living but God can see my future like if I am in heaven or hell, does that mean I already exist elsewhere according to the philosophical understanding of God's knowledge of time? That is, as I existence now on earth is my future self in heaven or hell?
 
I'd say, "Don't worry--be happy." In this lifetime you are not going to find an answer; only the great beyond can provide one.
 
Well the discussion is solely not about freewill.

I was commenting on this exchange between you and the poster.


Originally Posted by Sarcogito View Post

I do not think human freewill is possible with an omnipotent god.
Hypersonic:

I am inclined to agree

Thus I said:

Anything is possible with an omnipotent God. Including us having free will.
Why wouldn't it be? He's able to do anything.
 
I think some are missing the point of the point of the OP. I guess I've done a poor job at being clear when conveying what I am trying to say. Allow me to condense my point in the following:

Point 1: God is omniscient. God knows past, present, and future simultaneously (think of this as watching 100 televisions in front of you watching your favorite shows all at the same time).

Point 2: Human knowledge of time is linear, therefore existence is experienced through sequences.

Point 3: If God knows my past, present, and future, as a human who experiences linear time, and since God can see my past, present, and future therefore as I exist now on earth God knows my future after earth.


Adding to point 3, since I am currently living but God can see my future like if I am in heaven or hell, does that mean I already exist elsewhere according to the philosophical understanding of God's knowledge of time? That is, as I existence now on earth is my future self in heaven or hell?

What it means is that since God knows everything, God has foreknowledge. He already knows the outcome.....who will be saved and who'll end up in hell.
 
I think some are missing the point of the point of the OP. I guess I've done a poor job at being clear when conveying what I am trying to say. Allow me to condense my point in the following:

Point 1: God is omniscient. God knows past, present, and future simultaneously (think of this as watching 100 televisions in front of you watching your favorite shows all at the same time).

Point 2: Human knowledge of time is linear, therefore existence is experienced through sequences.

Point 3: If God knows my past, present, and future, as a human who experiences linear time, and since God can see my past, present, and future therefore as I exist now on earth God knows my future after earth.

Attempting to understand faith by attempting to understand how God "thinks" is sort of like the old Steve Martin instructions on how to become a millionaire, First, get a million dollars.


Adding to point 3, since I am currently living but God can see my future like if I am in heaven or hell, does that mean I already exist elsewhere according to the philosophical understanding of God's knowledge of time? That is, as I existence now on earth is my future self in heaven or hell?

You are equating being with knowledge, making something which is at the very least difficult to understand impossible.

Then attempting to understand how the Creator of time experiences time seems an intellectual impossibility for those of us who can't even understand time.
 
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This may contribute to the problem of freewill but its an enigma I have struggled with for a long time. In Judeo-Christian and Islamic philosophy God's knowledge encompasses past, present, future. According to philosophers, this knowledge of past, present, and future is simultaneous whereas our concept of time is linear. So the problem I see with the knowledge of God is, if I experience time in linear fashion, and God sees my life simultaneously, then God knows where my future self is although I don't. That is, although I experience life in linear fashion my future self after death is somewhere else or at my destination. I wonder if upon death does one traverse to their future self/destination?
Even when I was religious, I never put any stock in the afterlife bit. Too wishy washy and self-centric. It just doesn't make sense that the tainted would enter the same domain as that of immaculate purity. Dust we are, and unto dust we shall return.
 
Freewill is impossible with or without God ... philosophically speaking.
 
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