God, Eternity and the Nature of Time (Library of Philosophy and Religion)

have been most kind to me: even letting me intrude upon their homes and I am very grateful for their hospitality and Christian fellowship. Richard also read my thesis as a whole, and his comments were \•ery helpfuL and saved me from some mistakes. Dr Jonathan !.owe was also kind enough to comment on the chapters on the philosophy of time. and I found his general support while I stayed in Durham most encouraging. Errors that remain in this work are my own. and should not be attributed to those who have been kind enough to comment upon it.One of my first classes in philosophy was from Professor Stew Davis, and I first became interested in divine eternity through discussion and correspondence with him concerning God's foreknowledge. I am gratefuL too. for his friendship. Professor Doug Parrott urged me while I was a pastor to return to graduate school. His support gaw me courage to think that I could succeed.Finally, but not least by any means. I am grateful to the Creator who not only is the subject of this thesis. but whose love and grace sustained me in my humble. feeble attempt to better understand his nature and being. I appreciate his sense of humor. too. in allowing me to write" this essay about him. Soli gloria Deo. A thorough analysis and discussion of the nature of time and eternity, focusing on the timelessness of God. After considering two theories of time in the light of modern science and philosophy, Padgett argues for a "process" notion of time. The traditional doctrine of absolute divine timelessness is incompatible with God's action in the world, if the process view of time is true. After an historical and biblical survey of the doctrine of eternity, Padgett rejects both the "everlasting" and the "timeless" theory of eternity, seeking to defent the intuition that God transcends time. He argues for a third, mediating view: God is in some sense temporal, yet is the ground of time, the Lord of time, and "relatively" timeless. This Book Is A Thorough Analysis And Discussion Of The Nature Of Time And Eternity, Focusing On The Timelessness Of God. After Considering Two Theories Of Time In The Light Of Modern Science And Philosophy, Padgett Argues For A 'process' Notion Of Time. After An Historical And Biblical Survey Of The Doctrine Of Eternity, Padgett Rejects Both The 'everlasting' And The 'timeless' Theory Of Eternity, Seeking To Defend The Intuition That God Transcends Time. Alan G. Padgett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 153-166) And Indexes.