Omniscience

Definition

Omniscience is the attribute of having complete and unlimited knowledge, awareness, and understanding of all things, past, present, and future. This divine characteristic is essential in shaping the way believers understand God’s nature and His relationship with the world. Omniscience implies that God knows everything that can be known, which affects theological discussions about free will, divine providence, and human accountability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. God’s omniscience means that He has complete knowledge of every thought, action, and event that occurs in the universe.
2. This divine attribute reassures believers that God is fully aware of their struggles and needs, providing comfort in difficult times.
3. Omniscience leads to discussions about the interplay between divine foreknowledge and human free will, as many theologians explore how God can know future choices without overriding human agency.
4. In Christian doctrine, God's omniscience does not change; it is a constant aspect of His nature that does not develop or grow over time.
5. Belief in God’s omniscience underscores the importance of prayer, as it affirms that God knows what we need before we ask Him.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of omniscience influence theological discussions on free will?
  • The concept of omniscience significantly influences theological discussions on free will by raising questions about how God's complete knowledge of future events interacts with human choice. If God already knows what choices individuals will make, it challenges the idea that humans have true freedom in their decisions. Some theologians argue that God's foreknowledge doesn't negate free will, suggesting instead that humans are still responsible for their choices despite God's awareness of them.
• Analyze the implications of God's omniscience for understanding prayer in Christian belief.
  • God's omniscience has profound implications for understanding prayer within Christian belief. Since God knows all things—including our needs and thoughts—prayer becomes a means of developing a relationship with Him rather than merely making requests. Believers find comfort in knowing that their prayers are heard by an all-knowing deity who understands their struggles intimately. This understanding encourages faith in God's timing and wisdom in answering prayers.
• Evaluate how the attribute of omniscience interacts with other divine attributes like omnipotence and omnibenevolence in shaping a comprehensive view of God.
  • Evaluating how omniscience interacts with other divine attributes reveals a more comprehensive view of God in Christianity. Omniscience works in tandem with omnipotence—God not only knows everything but also has the power to act according to that knowledge. Additionally, when combined with omnibenevolence, it presents a picture of a God who not only understands human suffering but also desires to act for their ultimate good. This interconnectedness helps believers comprehend the complexity of God's nature as one who is not only knowledgeable but also powerful and loving, guiding creation with perfect wisdom.

Related terms

Omnipotence: The attribute of being all-powerful, signifying God's ability to do anything that is consistent with His nature.

Omnibenevolence: The attribute of being all-good or perfectly good, indicating that God’s nature is fundamentally loving and just.

Foreknowledge: The concept that God knows in advance all events that will happen, which raises questions about the relationship between divine knowledge and human free will.