Enter Boethius LO: I will assess the view that God is ‘timeless’ and everlasting. Recap – Explain the terms.

RECAP - BACKGROUND For Greek philosophy … If God is perfect (always) then God cannot change. The big idea here is that perfection is static and unchanging. So, God is outside of time, in a changeless eternity. Therefore, God is immutable. So, God acts on us, but we cannot affect or change him. It’s a one- way relationship, rather than a two-way relationship. God also knows the future timelessly – foreknowledge How is this different to saying that God is like a prophetic robot? I’ve seen the future!!! This is contradictory to the God of the Bible – he interacts (Garden of Eden), is grieved (Noah’s flood), changes his mind (Saul), and God becomes incarnate (Jesus). The view to incarnation here shows God becoming human with the ability to change. It’s dynamic (characterized by change!)

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES – DO THE TEXTS BELOW IMPLY THAT GOD IS WITHIN TIME? "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:4-8 ‘I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.’ Genesis 9:15 ‘But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.’ Genesis 8:1 Task – Summarise these quotes into your own words and then write your response to the question above.

‘I, THE LORD, DO NOT CHANGE.’ MALACHI 3:6 Does God change? Some theologians say that God remains consistent as we change. It’s not that God changes, but rather that God’s interaction with us changes. ‘To change your will is one matter, and to will a change in some thing is another. While remaining constant, a person can will this to happen now and the contrary to happen afterwards.’ Thomas Aquinas Copy this quote and rewrite what you think he means in your own words.

Enter Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius ( ) Make some notes from page on Boethius’ views on eternity and free will You will then be tested on this information. Make sure you know the following: Two types of freedom What is troubling Boethius? Why? Give 3 issues. Boethius’ solution. Swinburne’s view

QUICK TEST 1. Explain two types of freedom 2. What is troubling Boethius? Why? Give 3 issues. 3. What is Boethius’ solution? 4. Swinburne’s view.

WHICH IS BETTER? Which view do you think is better for believers or makes most sense? The idea that God is timeless or everlasting? Why? Write a paragraph. Use the handout to help

F URTHER RESEARCH Using the library, find out more about process theology. Explain why traditional religions might find this view to be a problem.