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Date Posted: 15:07:56 05/18/99 Tue
Author: Kevin
Subject: A different view
In reply to: Daniel 's message, "Correct reposting of Daniel's response" on 15:00:25 05/18/99 Tue

The confusion surrounding the beginning of time is understandable. The concept is pretty hard to grasp. Complicating things is how slowly our education system changes - especially when long held beliefs are involved. The belief that time (and thus our universe) is eternal goes back to the teachings of the Greeks such as Aristotle. When I was in high school the steady state theory was still being taught along with the oscillating universe. The big bang was a third option, but was not pushed, even though Einstein's theories, and Hubble's observations were decades old. In fact, even the discovery of the cosmic background radiation was a few years old by then. In college, I recall watching an outdated film on the eternal nature of time. That time was not eternal, but was a dimension created as part of our universe was shown to be true early in this century.

Biblically it clears up many of the paradoxes of the Christian faith when you view time as a part of our universe and not a limitation of God. For instance the Trinity makes at least some sense once you accept God is not limited by time. Free will and predestination are no longer contradictory terms when viewed in this way. When God creates that spark that is you, your entire life is known to Him, and yet from your perspective you are free to chose the path you will follow in life. When Adam was tested in the garden the outcome was already known, but the test was real. Adam could have chosen not to sin. God already knew he would. The question, "Adam where art thou?" is not asked because God did not know. It is for the purpose of causing Adam to see where he was. In addition, Scripture tells us Jesus was predestined to save us before time began. God knew. Still it brings up some interesting points.

How could God repent of making man if He already knew what man would become? God created our universe and all that is in it outside of time, including man. Yet, He chooses to interact with us in time. It is this decision that allows us to perceive Him at all. His repentance is outside of time, and at the same time there is a real moment in our history when God repents.

Why can't we pray for our long dead relative's salvation? God is outside of time - we are not. For God to honor your request would mean that He had to violate the timeline of not only your relative, but all humanity, and even the universe. While it is possible He could do this, there is an important reason why He does not. This would be a direct violation of free will. God will not violate your free will.

Peace
Kevin

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