If God Knows the Future, What is Free Will? | Episode 710 | Closer To Truth

Summary

This video explores the philosophical and theological tension between free will, determinism, and God's nature. The speaker discusses the compatibility of human freedom with divine foreknowledge, offering four possible models for understanding God's knowledge of the future. These range from simple foreknowledge to the concept of an open future where free will is prioritized. The speaker personally advocates for the open future model, emphasizing the importance of uncertainty and genuine choice in human experience, rejecting the idea that the world is a predestined script.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of free will and determinism presents a logical conflict in relation to God's plan and omniscience.
• 😀 If God desires to create beings with free will, He must design a world where future actions are not predetermined.
• 😀 God's decision to create a world where free will exists is considered a matter of His choice, based on His goals and values.
• 😀 The speaker argues that the future should not be fully dictated by God in order to preserve genuine human freedom.
• 😀 There are four main views on how God could know the future: 1) simple foreknowledge, 2) timelessness, 3) middle knowledge, and 4) an open future.
• 😀 Simple foreknowledge suggests that God knows the future but it does not limit human freedom or choice.
• 😀 The concept of timelessness means that God exists outside of time and simultaneously perceives all events across time.
• 😀 Middle knowledge implies that God knows what free creatures would do in any situation, which allows Him to shape the world according to His preferences.
• 😀 The 'open future' view suggests that God cannot know future actions of free beings, as the future is not yet determined.
• 😀 The speaker personally prioritizes the belief in free will and sees uncertainty as a genuine aspect of reality, rather than an illusion.
• 😀 The speaker rejects the idea of a fixed, predestined future and prefers a worldview where human actions and choices are truly open and unpredictable.

Q & A

What is the central issue discussed in the video regarding free will and God's knowledge of the future?

The central issue discussed is the apparent incompatibility between human free will and the concept of divine determinism, or God's foreknowledge of the future. The speaker explores how these concepts can be reconciled, discussing various viewpoints on how God might relate to human freedom and the future.

What are the four possible ways the speaker suggests God might know the future while allowing for free will?

The four possibilities are: 1) God foreknows the future without it diminishing human free will, 2) God is timeless, perceiving all time at once, 3) God has middle knowledge, knowing what creatures would choose in any circumstance, and 4) God does not know the future because the future is open and uncertain.

How does the speaker view the relationship between free will and determinism?

The speaker believes there is a logical incompatibility between free will and determinism. He suggests that if God desires creatures with free will, He must create a world where their actions are not predetermined.

Why does the speaker argue that uncertainty is not an illusion?

The speaker argues that uncertainty is not an illusion because it reflects the true nature of reality. He believes that uncertainty, in the sense of an open future, is closer to the truth than a predestined world where everything is fixed.

What does the speaker mean by the 'openness' of the future?

By the 'openness' of the future, the speaker means that the future is not determined ahead of time, and that humans have real choices. This openness is a key component of human free will, allowing individuals to shape their future through their decisions.

How does the speaker feel about the idea of God predetermining the world?

The speaker rejects the idea that God predetermines the world. He emphasizes that God did not dictate the script of the world before the beginning of time, and that human beings have a genuine ability to choose.

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

Middle knowledge refers to God's ability to know what free creatures would choose in any given circumstance. This allows God to actualize a world in which creatures' actions are freely chosen but still aligned with His intentions.

How does the speaker express his own stance on free will and divine knowledge?

The speaker expresses a personal preference for the idea of free will, claiming that he feels he has real choices. He rejects the idea that the future is fully known or determined, instead supporting an open future where uncertainty plays a crucial role.

What is the significance of the speaker’s statement, 'The future is open'?

The statement emphasizes the speaker’s belief in human autonomy and the unpredictability of future events. It suggests that the future is not predetermined, and that individuals' choices genuinely matter in shaping what will come.

Why does the speaker argue that God having middle knowledge allows for a world with free will?

The speaker suggests that God having middle knowledge enables the creation of a world where creatures are free to choose, but God still knows how they will act in any given situation. This reconciles God's perfect knowledge with human freedom, allowing for a universe where real choices can be made.