How God's Knowledge of the Future CAUSES My Free Will! #ProblemOfEvil #Aseity #Omniscience

Summary

In this video, Chris Morris explores the problem of evil in relation to God's omniscience and human free will. He argues that God's knowledge of the future does not negate free will, as God's knowledge is causative rather than reactive. Morris discusses how classical theism views God as existing outside of time, knowing all events in the eternal present. This knowledge allows human freedom to exist, without deterministically causing evil choices. The video aims to resolve the tension between divine omniscience and human freedom, laying the groundwork for further discussion on moral and natural evil.

Takeaways

• 😀 Free will is a primary defense against the problem of evil, which involves human choices and divine omniscience and omnipotence.
• 😀 The problem of evil is examined through three lenses: omnipotence, omniscience, and the lesser-discussed 'A City problem' in freedom.
• 😀 God's omniscience raises the issue of whether human freedom can exist if God knows the future, creating the paradox of free will versus determinism.
• 😀 Classical theism offers a solution by claiming that God’s knowledge of the future is causative rather than deterministic, meaning human choices are not forced by divine foreknowledge.
• 😀 God exists outside of time, meaning He knows the future in an 'ever-present now,' which is different from human knowledge of the future.
• 😀 The 'block universe' analogy helps explain how all time (past, present, future) exists simultaneously, illustrating God’s eternal perspective outside of temporal constraints.
• 😀 If God is outside of time, His knowledge does not rely on the world or temporal changes; instead, God’s knowledge is complete and non-contingent.
• 😀 God’s knowledge doesn’t determine future events; it is causative in that it enables all things, including human free will, but doesn't negate freedom.
• 😀 Human freedom is not a limitation on God but arises from God's sovereign knowledge and the essence of what it means to be human.
• 😀 The problem of evil, particularly moral evil, is ultimately a question of how a good and omnipotent God can allow evil; classical theism holds that God's knowledge allows for genuine human freedom and choice in a world where evil exists.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video discussion?

The video discusses the problem of evil, specifically focusing on how human free will can coexist with God's omniscience and omnipotence, with a special emphasis on the tension between divine knowledge and human freedom.

What are the three aspects of freedom that the video addresses in relation to the problem of evil?

The three aspects discussed are: 1) Omnipotence (God's power to override human freedom), 2) Omniscience (God's knowledge of the future and how it affects free will), and 3) The 'acidity problem in freedom' (the challenge posed by God’s timeless existence and knowledge).

How does the video explain the difference between human and God's knowledge of the future?

Human knowledge of the future is based on expectation, whereas God’s knowledge is rooted in His existence outside of time, viewing past, present, and future as an eternal now. God’s knowledge is not contingent on time or events, but is a direct awareness of all that exists, including future choices.

What analogy does the video use to explain God’s relationship with time?

The video uses the 'block universe' analogy, borrowed from physics, which suggests that past, present, and future all exist simultaneously as a 4D structure. God, existing outside of this space-time continuum, can see all events in time at once.

What is the 'acidity problem in freedom' mentioned in the video?

The acidity problem in freedom refers to the difficulty of reconciling God’s omniscient knowledge of the future with human free will. If God knows all future events, it raises the question of whether human actions are truly free or predetermined by God's knowledge.

How does classical theism address the problem of God's knowledge and human free will?

Classical theism resolves this issue by stating that God’s knowledge is causative. God's knowledge does not force or coerce human actions but allows them to exist as free, voluntary choices. Human free will is a part of God's sovereign plan and is not negated by His knowledge.

What is meant by 'causative knowledge' in the context of this video?

'Causative knowledge' means that God’s knowledge of future events doesn’t determine those events but rather makes them possible. In contrast to human knowledge, which is reactive and based on past events, God's knowledge is proactive and is essential for the existence of the free will exercised by creatures.

Does God’s omniscience limit human free will according to the video?

No, according to the video, God’s omniscience does not limit human free will. Instead, it makes free will possible. Human freedom is birthed out of God's knowledge, and God knows human actions as free choices, not as predetermined outcomes.

What does the video mean by 'God’s knowledge is what makes human freedom possible'?

This statement means that God's knowledge of all possibilities and actualities allows human beings to exercise free will. Without God’s existence and knowledge, our choices and freedom would not exist, as God's knowledge is the foundation of all reality.

How does the video resolve the apparent conflict between God's omniscience and the reality of evil?

The video suggests that the existence of evil does not negate God's goodness or omniscience. God’s knowledge encompasses both good and evil, and while He could theoretically know that only good would occur, He allows evil due to the presence of genuine human freedom. The next video promises to further explore how God’s omnipotence and goodness allow for the presence of evil in the world.