We know that only one being in the universe is Omniscient. That's God. How Omniscient? He fully knows Himself, all that is, all that was, and all that will be ... or even could be. We see, for instance, that Jesus knew the future (John 2:24-25; John 14:29; John 16:30; John 18:4). He even knew contingencies (Matt 11:21-24). Open Theists have a problem with God's Omniscience. They say it eliminates free will. That's not because Scripture doesn't support Omniscience, but because they're dedicated to a particular definition of free will.
We know, for instance, that God knows all things (1 Sam 23:11-12; 2 Tim 3:1-5; Acts 2:23; Eph 1:11). God's Omniscience regarding future things is proof that He is the true God (Isa 41:21-23; Isa 43:9-12; Isa 44:6-8; Isa 46:9-11; Deut 18:20). We fear (1 Chron 28:9) and trust (Psa 139:1-3,14-16; Isa 48:17-19) God because He knows all things. His knowledge is not limited by time or space (Psa 139:7-12; Psa 90:4).
The fact is Scripture repeatedly declares that God and God alone knows all things for all time without error. It's truth. It proves His character. It is incentive both to fear, and to worship and trust. His Omniscience humbles us who tend to think we know so much better than He does. Let God be God.
3 comments:
I've never understood the idea that knowing something beforehand means causation. Recently, I saw a car collision that I knew for a fact was going to happen before it did. Does that somehow mean I'm responsible for the accident? There are certainly other aspects of God that bring into question libertine free will, but omniscience doesn't negate our real choices.
“[God] fully knows Himself, all that is, all that was, and all that will be ... or even could be…. Jesus even knew contingencies.” [emphasis added] As believers, we regularly proclaim that God knows the past, present, and future. I find it encouraging today that God also knows the possibilities in every situation. The complexity of this knowledge on His part--knowing not only what is but also every alternative or hypothetical scenario for every reality--simply boggles my mind. This truth is also very comforting, since I can know that God considered all the options and opportunities, and from them He designed and ordained the very best and perfect plan for all things. That truly does inspire me to worship and trust, as you say!
Since reading in Wednesday’s post that “He doesn’t change His mind,” I have been thinking about God’s omniscience as it relates to His immutability (your theme for Wednesday). My notes from The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer read: “God possesses perfect and complete knowledge. He never learns; He knows all things. He is never surprised or amazed. He knows our hearts, thoughts, and intents and sees our sins.” God’s omniscience is the attribute that I personally find the most mind-blowing (after His eternality/aseity). “I scarce can take it in,” (as the great hymn words it).
Thinking about how different God is from us got me considering how humans would benefit from being omniscient. We do have a strong desire to be “in the know”; we don’t like being finite in our understanding or having limits to our abilities or options. If we possessed omniscience, we would never blunder, miscalculate, or misconstrue. We would have no hesitation, misgivings, or lingering uncertainties. We would make foolproof choices and never “change our minds” or experience “changes of heart.” We would have no regrets for our past words or actions and no worries about all the unknowns in our future.
And then we also wouldn’t turn to God to seek His direction and wisdom. We wouldn’t get to see God work and answer prayer. So I realize that God in His infinite wisdom and love made us dependent upon Him in all things, and it’s much better His way afterall!
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