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 supports it & argues that the idea of events occurring simultaneously to God cannot be made sense of. Swinburne suggests that belief in an everlasting God fits more satisfactorily with God as revealed in the Bible (in the 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