Exploring Mormon Thought 017-The Attributes Of God Ch 11 - Time, Timelessness, and Omnitemporality
Jul 24, 2017
Delve into the intriguing relationship between time and divine attributes. Discover how ancient philosophers like Aristotle shaped modern perceptions of time’s relativity. Explore the implications of divine timelessness and what it means for God’s omniscience. The discussion unfurls the complexity of God engaging with time, contrasting traditional views with fresh theological insights. Engage with concepts like simultaneity and eternal now, and see how Mormon theology offers a unique lens on divine materiality and omnitemporality.
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Relativity Breaks Absolute Simultaneity
- Einstein's theory of relativity shows there is no absolute simultaneity for observers in relative motion.
- Different inertial frames experience events differently, challenging classical notions of universal 'now'.
Lightning Strikes Demonstrate Relativity
- Lightning strikes illustrate relativity: an observer on a train sees simultaneous strikes, while a track observer sees them at different times.
- This exemplifies how simultaneity depends on relative motion and inertial frame of reference.
Relativity Rescues Divine Timelessness
- God's eternal now includes all temporal moments simultaneously without contradiction due to lack of transitivity.
- Stump and Kretzmann leverage relativity to refute classical objections to divine timelessness.