The omniscient God knows all that can be known given the sort of world he created….In our view God decided to create beings with indeterministic freedom which implies that God chose to create a universe in which the future is not entirely knowable, even for God.1
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. (Isaiah 46:9-10)
One of the more recent debates among evangelical theologians is the extent to which God "knows." The contrast between the two statements above is sufficient to expose the difference. The Scripture insists on an omniscient (knowing everything) God, though some would suggest otherwise.
God's omniscience is observable.
Several passages insist on a "clearly seen" body of evidence among the created universe. Romans 1:18-25 and Psalm 19:1-4, the classic passages, speak of "knowledge" and "speech" that demonstrate God's eternal power and divine nature. The text of God's Word has much to say about the infinite mind of the Creator.
…to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3)
The infinitely complex nature of this universe has become more observable over the past few decades. From the vast majesty of the stellar host to the microscopic beauty of living things, we are becoming more and more aware of the incredible design, order, and interrelated purposes of our world. Indeed, the "Intelligent Design" movement gains its momentum from these very facts.
God's omniscience requires functional perfection.
Everything revealed about God, both in the universe and in the Scriptures, shouts the message that God is a God of order, purpose, and will, with no hint of randomness. God does not "react" to circumstances. He is never forced to change His mind about His reason for doing something. He does not alter His plan for eternity, nor does He get confused about His design, His pleasure, or His purpose.
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:11)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself…being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. (Ephesians 1:9, 11)
God's omniscience must produce perfect purpose and order.
God's omniscience demands that God create absolutely and only the best--whether at the scale of the universe or of the molecule. He could not and would not "experiment." Since He knows, He must do. He could not and would not produce an inferior product. He must create, shape, and make only that which is good.
God's omniscience is in absolute conflict with evolutionary mechanisms.
Evolution from simple to complex life over deep time requires both experimentation with creation and the creation of inferior forms. In evolution, there is no permanent "good." Atheistic evolutionary scholars have long understood that the philosophy (as opposed to the "science") of evolutionary naturalism requires the use of processes and the sanction of activities that are the opposite of God's nature.
The evolutionary process is rife with happenstance, contingency, incredible waste, death, pain and horror….[Theistic evolution's God] is not a loving God who cares about his productions….[He] is careless, wasteful, indifferent, almost diabolical. He is certainly not the sort of God to whom anyone would be inclined to pray.2
Perhaps the more sad commentary is that only Christian scholars compromise their position on the creation of the world. The evolutionists and atheists do not.
References
- Summary of Openness Theology. Posted on the Open Theism Information website at www.opentheism.info, accessed November 30, 2009.
- Hull, D. L. 1991. The God of the Galápagos. Nature. 352 (6335): 486.
* Dr. Morris is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Creation Research.
Cite this article: Morris III, H. 2010. God’s Omniscience. Acts & Facts. 39 (1): 22.
