Boethius on eternity
The Christian belief that God is
eternal was influenced by the
philosophy of Boethius
Boethius (480-524)
Early Christian
philosopher. Was
also a Roman
Consul. In his work
he introduced and
integrated aspects
of Greek philosophy
with Christian
teaching.
Boethius argued that God is changeless &
does not exist in time
• Boethius says that
eternity is ‘the whole,
simultaneous and
perfect possession of
unending life’.
• He is saying that life
is not only endless
but that it is not like
physical life, because
it does not involve
change (or
experiencing life as a
series of events – one
following another
[linear])
So for God there is no past, present &
future
• God exists eternally.
All of time is present
to God at the same
time.
• Imagine a film you
know well: it has
beginning; middle;
end – it flows. God
would, however, take
in the film in one
glance – opening
titles through to end
credits.
Why does Boethius believe God is
eternal
• Because God is
simple & pure: does
not learn new things
& time does not pass
for God.
• God must exist
outside time because
time is not simple –
consists of parts &
involves beginnings &
ends.
• Thomas Aquinas
agrees with Boethius
& says that time
involves living life
successively (linear).
God exists outside
time & the nature of
God is to exist.
CRITICISMS of Boethius & God’s eternity
• Anthony Kenny argued that the notion of
all time being simultaneously present to
God is incoherent. If all time is
simultaneously present to God then that
means all time is happening at the same
moment, which is not logical.
SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM
• We can say that God is EVERLASTING
(rather than Boethius’ definition of eternal)
• By everlasting, theologians mean that God
always exists & will exist without end –
but, time passes for God.
• God cannot see the future (that is illogical)
Supporting the view that God is everlasting
• Richard Swinburne
• Swinburne suggests
supports it & argues
that belief in an
that the idea of events
everlasting God fits
occurring
more satisfactorily
simultaneously to
with God as revealed
God cannot be made
in the Bible (in the
sense of.
Bible God does act in
time: ten plagues [Old
Testament]; birth of
Jesus [New
Testament])
GOD AS EVERLASTING
• God can act in response to human
behaviour
• Future cannot be known if it does not yet
exist
• God’s knowledge increases as the future
happens