I recently graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, where a tenet of their theology is that:
God is revealed in His World
God is revealed in His Word
God is revealed by His Word who came into His world
Most of us have no problem understanding the omnipresence of God. It can seem silly that Jonah tried to run away from God, I think he knew what the outcome would be.
Physics teaches us that space and time are completely linked to the point where they are referred to as one entity Spacetime.
Therefore God is omnitemporal, being equally present and powerful at all points in time at once, which is a concept that is a little harder to grasp. As He is the creator of, including time, I would believe that He is equally powerful and present outside the realm of spacetime as well. I would like to hear other’s opinions on this topic and if anyone has a good published resource on this topic .
They definitely did not share my view that there is no conflict with evolution and Genesis or the rest of the Bible, but I was actually encouraged to pursue this study. They are really focused on the love of the Lord and how valuable the relationship is, and the importance of getting out this message. They shy away from that which divides us and focus on the which brings us together. The learning was phenomenal. Especially in Theology and Languages. I have a Masters degree in Biochemical Engineering from Tufts and the Hebrew class at DTS was at least as challenging as any of the work I did at Tufts, we had to learn all the grammar and vocabulary to translate the Old Testament in a semester and a half, the original language is so rich with meaning. I would highly recommend DTS to anyone, there are free online mini courses people can sample which can give you a flavor of the school.
Actually, DTS emphasized the importance of understanding the literary structures for Biblical interpretation. A clear literary structure in the Book of Genesis is the “Toledoth” formula (these are the generations of …) which clearly and consistently give the lineage of those not leading to the Messiah before the line leading to the Messiah. The current thought in Evangelical theology is that this doesn’t apply to chapters 1 and 2. I don’t know of any other literary structure that is partially applied in biblical interpretation. My view is chapter 1 is a continuation of this structure giving the lineage not leading to the messiah, chapter 2 starts the line leading to the messiah, and all the conflict with evolution and even science goes away, if you simply apply the rules of biblical interpretation taught at DTS
Congratulations, @TGLarkin . That is quite an accomplishment. DTS is highly regarded. May I ask what you are going to do with all that education? I was chatting with my pastor, and he was saying a lot of seminary students are not going into the pastorate. Best wishes on wherever life takes you.
R.T. Mullins is an analytic theologian who has published a lot on various models of God’s relation to time. A copy of one of his journal articles called “The Divine Timemaker” can be downloaded for free here:
The abstract from the paper is the following:
Abstract: Christian theism claims that God is in some sense responsible for the
existence and nature of time. There are at least two options for understanding
this claim. First, the creationist option, which says that God creates time. Second,
the identification view, which says that time is to be identified with God. Both
options will answer the question, “what is time?” differently. I shall consider
different versions of the creationist option, and offer several objections that the
view faces. I will also consider different versions of the identification view, and
argue that the objections it faces can be refuted.
Physics uses mathematical constructs and models to map how things work in terms of material and efficient causes. I would caution against using a current scientific paradigm to say “therefore God is x.” I would use metaphysics and the hierarchical necessity of a sustaining cause for all things at all times. I would say time is a measure of change and God is Pure Act and unchanging. As the Prime Mover and uncaused first cause, time does not apply. God exists in an eternal now so to speak.
So while I generally agree with you, if we phrase an understanding of God’s nature in scientific terms it is understandable if someone wants us to back this up with scientific evidence. None of which will be forthcoming. Not to mention we are basing our theology on temporal scientific models. If we do it using metaphysics instead, we have plenty of deductive arguments to appeal to.
God is certainly not an entity confined to space and time. I also would probably say God is atemporal as opposed to omnitemporal.
Thank you very much for these thoughtful and detailed comments. This is a great example of the benefit of this forum where these thought processes can be further developed and refined through feedback that expands my conceptual approach. Appreciate it!
DTS has several degree programs designed for pastoral support roles or external roles (e.g. Christian Counseling, Christian Education) so I can see scenarios where they would not become pastors.
I am transitioning from commercial and clinical biotech manufacturing career with UMass Medical School (retire Apr’28) into ministry. My initial plan is to do outreach ministry in Boston. For example, for the last two years I have held a Tailgate Chapel service at Gillete Stadium before Sunday 1 pm home games (I was a season ticket holder for 25 years before going to seminary). I have been asked to do more in our church including preaching. There is a need in New England as most churches are understaffed.
DTS has a great continuing education program for alumni, where we have access to every DTS class videos and materials as well as the ability to audit live classes for a nominal cost. This can help those who build on their training to move toward full pastorate role.
My next outreach ministry will be a “Bible in a Minute” video series designed to show the main themes of the Bible, how the books are interrelated, what covenants are conditional / unconditional, temporary or permenant in 100 one minute or less videos covering all 66 books. It is designed to facilitate indivuals to start to read and understand the Bible.
Sounds interesting. We visited Boston this summer for the ASA meeting held at Gordon College near there, and enjoyed the area. Especially the ice cream at the Holy Cow ice creamery.
The last fellow in this forum that I can remember who liked/favored/promoted God’s omnitemporality was Dale (now deceased). Personally, I think it’s nonsense, but I’m not one to talk I suppose.