Understanding Eternity: Types and Definitions

The discussion delves into different interpretations of eternity, specifically distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 eternity. Type 1 eternity represents a state that is not part of time at all, while type 2 eternity denotes an endless sequence of time that stretches infinitely into the future. The philosopher Boethius, while imprisoned, offered a definition of eternity as the simultaneous possession of an endless life, which aligns with type 1 eternity. This framework allows for a nuanced understanding of how God exists outside of time, embodied in interpretations from church teachings and the Catechism, affirming God's eternal nature as fundamentally distinct from human existence.