Omniscience, Foreknowledge, and the Problem of Divine Freedom (Studies in Christian Philosophy)
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
The problem of God’s foreknowledge of the future and its compatibility with human freedom and responsibility is one of the greatest issues in philosophy of religion. There is, however, another side to this issue. If God foreknows the future, then he also foreknows his own future actions. How then is God a free and responsible agent? After extrapolating the problem, Floyd applies to the divine problem the four major responses to the human problem: the Open Solution, the Molinist Solution, the Ockhamist Solution, and the Atemporal Solution. He conclude that a version of the Atemporal Solution resolves the problem of foreknowledge and divine freedom.
- Examines and defines the divine property of omniscience
- Discusses the Atemporal Solution as a potential means to solve the problem
- Explores the implication of God’s knowledge of the future
- Introduction
- Omniscience
- The Problem of Divine Freedom
- The Open Solution
- The Molinist Solution
- The Ockhamist Solution
- The Atemporal Solution
- Conclusion
Top Highlights
“Under the theory of divine ideas, abstract entities and modal truths exist uncreated within the mind of God and a se within the divine nature.” (Page 20)
“only one that is capable of solving the divine free will dilemma. That view is the atemporal, Thomistic view” (Page 1)
“Since God acts in one atemporal moment, there is no time before his act in which God foreknows what he will do, nor is such knowledge essential to the divine being. Thus, the problem of the compatibility between foreknowledge and divine freedom may be avoided.” (Pages 1–2)
“God is an atemporal being who is not subject to time” (Page 1)
Graham C. Floyd (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) has served as an adjunct professor of philosophy and is a research fellow with the Ethics and Political Economy Center.