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4. Omniscience a) Definitions (1) Omniscient
comes from two Latin words (omnis - all and scientia -
knowledge) and means, “all knowing.” It refers to God’s infinite and perfect
knowledge. (2) Ryrie states, God knows everything,
things actual and possible, effortlessly and equally well. (3) A more comprehensive definition will state
that God knows all things actual and possible, past, present, and future, in
one eternal act. (Moody
Handbook of Theology) b) God
knows everything that happens, both past and present (Pr 15:3; Mt
10:29-30; Job 28:24; Job 31:4; Job
34:21-23) c) God knows the secret thoughts of every
individual (1Ch 28:9; Ps 44:21; Je 17:9-10; He 4:13). d) God knows what will happen in the
future (Ps 139:4, 14b-16; Is 41:21-24). (1) God knows
all future events. Because God is eternal and knows all things in one eternal
act, events that are future to man are an “eternal now” to God [Ro 8:30]. He
knew the nations that would dominate Israel (Dan. 2:36–43; 7:4–8), and He
knows the events that will yet transpire upon the earth (Matt. 24:25; Rev.
6–19). The Moody Handbook of
Theology) (2) This view stands in opposition to “Open
Theism” which denies that God knows the future exhaustively. They believe God
maneuvers like a Grand Master in chess hoping for a positive result. e) God’s
foreknowledge is more than mere intellectual assent, but is in connection
with His foreordination (Ge 4:1, Je 1:5; Am 3:2; Ac 2:23; Ro 8:29; 1Pe 1:20) (1) It is
important to recognize that in speaking of God’s knowledge or foreknowledge
it does not imply a passive awareness of what will happen, but in connection
with His knowledge or foreknowledge He has decreed all events. (Compare Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, 1:353–58,
396–99) (Is 46:10). (2) [God’s foreknowledge could be stated as
the], selective knowledge of God that makes one an object of God’s love; it
is more than mere knowledge or cognition beforehand. (House, Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine,
p. 91). f) God
cannot learn anything, He already knows everything (Ro 11:33-34; Job
21:22, 37:16; Ps 147:5). (1) God not
only knows all things that are actual but also all things that are possible
(Ps 139:1–6; 147:4; Mt 6:8; cp. Christ - Mt 16:21; Lk 11:17; Jn 2:24; 4:29). (2) Philosophically, omniscience is defined in
terms of God’s propositional knowledge. This means God knows every true
proposition in every area of knowledge. He also knows of every false
proposition but does not believe it. Therefore, God knows all truth and
reality. g) David
understood the personal side of the omniscience of God in Psa 139:1-4. (1) David’s
life was known by God (vs. 1). (2) David’s ways were known by God (vs. 2-3). (3) David’s thoughts and words were known by
God (vs. 2,4). h) Application
- God’s omniscience gives cause for the believer to: (1) Trust in
God’s guidance because He knows the right path for us (Pr 3:5-6). (2) Be comforted in God’s understanding because
He knows our frailties (Ps 103:13-14). (3) Be secure in God’s love because He knows
all our sin and doubt, yet still loves us (1Jn 3:19-20). |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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