Is God Omniscient?

[Sushan]

This topic is about the June 2023 Philosophy Book of the Month, Killing Abel by Michael Tieman


The widely accepted understanding of God is that He is omniscient, possessing knowledge of all things that have happened, are happening, and will happen. However, Tieman's "Killing Abel" offers a unique portrayal of God that might challenge this understanding.

In the novel, God appears seemingly unaware of certain consequences of the curses He places upon Adam and Eve. The narrative indicates that the outcomes of the curses are not precisely what God had anticipated. This portrayal raises intriguing questions: How could this be the case if God is omniscient? What does this tell us about the nature of God's knowledge and His relationship with creation?


(As a special consideration, please note that the novel's depiction of God is not intended to align with traditional theological views but provides a thought-provoking perspective for our philosophical exploration.)

[Akangbe Opeyemi]

I believe strongly that God is omniscient. That's why there were some things in the novel that I didn't agree with. Everyone has a right to their beliefs and thoughts about things. Just because someone said something, doesn't mean it is true, and just because it is true doesn't mean everyone will believe it.

I don't believe that God is unaware of the outcomes. God knows the end right from the beginning. Some actions will always come with their consequence, so I have this perception that what we call “curses" in the case of Adam and Eve could actually be the repercussions of their actions.
God told them they will die if they eat them out of the tree and they were given the choice of obeying His instruction, but they failed and there were consequences. It doesn't make God less omniscient.

[Sushan]

I believe strongly that God is omniscient. That's why there were some things in the novel that I didn't agree with. Everyone has a right to their beliefs and thoughts about things. Just because someone said something, doesn't mean it is true, and just because it is true doesn't mean everyone will believe it.

I don't believe that God is unaware of the outcomes. God knows the end right from the beginning. Some actions will always come with their consequence, so I have this perception that what we call “curses" in the case of Adam and Eve could actually be the repercussions of their actions.
God told them they will die if they eat them out of the tree and they were given the choice of obeying His instruction, but they failed and there were consequences. It doesn't make God less omniscient.

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Your strong belief in God's omniscience is quite clear, and it's a perspective shared by many across various religious traditions. However, I would like to point out that the objective of discussing "Killing Abel" isn't necessarily to refute the idea of God's omniscience. Rather, it's to explore and ponder different perspectives and interpretations of divine nature that might differ from traditional theological views.

The concept of God's omniscience is multifaceted, complex, and has been interpreted in various ways across different religions and philosophical schools of thought. For instance, some modern Christian theologians argue that God's omniscience is inherent rather than total, suggesting that God chooses to limit His omniscience to preserve the free will and dignity of His creatures. On the other hand, in Islam, God is attributed with absolute omniscience, knowing the past, present, and future. Jainism even views omniscience as an attribute that any individual can eventually attain.

In the philosophical realm, the concept of omniscience is typically defined as knowledge of all true propositions. Yet, several recent discussions of omniscience have suggested more restricted accounts. For example, it's been suggested that God is omniscient just in case He knows every true proposition, or else He does not, but His knowing that proposition is not precluded by any defect or limitation in His intrinsic cognitive capacities.

In "Killing Abel," it seems that the author is presenting an interpretation where God's omniscience is not compromised, but the outcomes of His actions unfold in a way that He did not specifically foresee. This doesn't necessarily make God less omniscient, but it may reflect a different understanding of omniscience, where God's knowledge is not strictly deterministic.

Please remember that literature, like philosophy, often presents us with hypothetical scenarios to explore complex ideas and provoke thought. The interpretation of God's omniscience in "Killing Abel" doesn't seek to establish a new religious doctrine, but rather to encourage philosophical discussion and contemplation. It invites us to question, reflect, and deepen our understanding. We may not always agree with the perspectives offered, but through engaging with them, we often gain new insights and deepen our thinking.

[Nganyi Humphrey]

I think this is a question that concerns a person's religion and how strongly they believe in Christianity and God. As much as the author brought the concept out of God being unaware of certain consequences, I believe that is the view of the author regarding the particular situation. My answer is, yes, God is omniscient.

[Sushan]

I think this is a question that concerns a person's religion and how strongly they believe in Christianity and God. As much as the author brought the concept out of God being unaware of certain consequences, I believe that is the view of the author regarding the particular situation. My answer is, yes, God is omniscient.

I appreciate your perspective on the omniscience of God as it stems from a personal belief and religious conviction. However, the question at hand isn't about what we believe personally or religiously. It is a philosophical exploration prompted by Tieman's "Killing Abel", in which God is portrayed in a unique and unconventional manner.

Tieman's depiction of God as being unaware of certain consequences raises significant philosophical questions about the nature of God's omniscience. If we consider God to be truly omniscient, then it logically follows that He should be aware of all outcomes, intended or otherwise. The disconnect between traditional theology and Tieman's portrayal is what makes this discussion fascinating.

Now, if we consider God's omniscience as not being absolute, then we could interpret this as God having the potential for knowledge of all things but not always actualizing this potential. This perspective might resolve the apparent contradiction presented in "Killing Abel". It could be that God intentionally limits His knowledge in some instances, perhaps to allow for genuine human freedom and spontaneity.

Of course, this is just one interpretation and it raises further questions. For instance, how might this influence our understanding of other divine attributes, such as omnipotence or benevolence? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

[Fola Moni]

I truly believe God is omniscient but trying to understand the way He reasons is impossible.

Personally, I think you cannot separate a personal belief or religious conviction from the way we see God. The only way I can answer the question is from a religious point of view. In Christianity, it is believed that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. So we cannot fully understand the way He does the things he does. We just have to accept it with faith.

[Sushan]

I truly believe God is omniscient but trying to understand the way He reasons is impossible.

Personally, I think you cannot separate a personal belief or religious conviction from the way we see God. The only way I can answer the question is from a religious point of view. In Christianity, it is believed that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. So we cannot fully understand the way He does the things he does. We just have to accept it with faith.

Thank you for sharing your personal belief, and I absolutely respect the perspective you're coming from. It's indeed a fundamental tenet in many religious traditions that God's ways are beyond human comprehension, and adherents are encouraged to approach such mysteries with faith.

However, approaching this from a purely philosophical standpoint, Tieman's "Killing Abel" provides us with an intriguing exploration of God's nature that deviates from traditional theologies. If God didn't anticipate the outcomes of the curses in the narrative, it presents a unique opportunity to discuss the boundaries and implications of omniscience.

Could it be possible that there exists a deity that, while possessing profound knowledge and power, also experiences surprises or unanticipated outcomes in its creations? And, if such a deity exists, what would this mean for our understanding of divinity and its relationship to the world?

[Prince Oyedeji Oyeleke Jayeola]

God is Omiscient, knowing all that would happen even before it happens. He knows what would become of Adam and Eve but he gave them their own mind and power of choice to choose what would happen to them in the garden even after warning them. Placing them in the garden he knew what would happen, but he did still allowed them explore their right. I believe there are principles guiding our existence and the universe as a whole, which must always be followed. The author's narration still described God as Omniscient, also, as a loving father who would always draw his children close even after choosing their part different from His.

[Sushan]

God is Omiscient, knowing all that would happen even before it happens. He knows what would become of Adam and Eve but he gave them their own mind and power of choice to choose what would happen to them in the garden even after warning them. Placing them in the garden he knew what would happen, but he did still allowed them explore their right. I believe there are principles guiding our existence and the universe as a whole, which must always be followed. The author's narration still described God as Omniscient, also, as a loving father who would always draw his children close even after choosing their part different from His.

I appreciate your thoughtful response. Indeed, the concept of free will is central to many theological and philosophical discussions about God's omniscience. Your point about God knowing the potential outcomes but allowing Adam and Eve to exercise their free will aligns with many traditional interpretations of the story.

What Tieman does so effectively in "Killing Abel" is blurring the lines between divine foresight and the unpredictable nature of human choices. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of reconciling an omniscient deity with free-willed beings.

Building upon your insight about the principles guiding our existence, it's fascinating to think about how these principles might interact with human autonomy. If there are universal laws or principles, how flexible are they in the face of human agency? And to what extent does divine love play a role in allowing deviations from these principles?