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Omniscience—Knowledge (including
foreknowledge and middle knowledge)
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Definition
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Knowledge
1.
a particular or
specialized form of understanding or skill.
2.
Webster’s Dictionary Unabridged 1828 has
a)
A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and
fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement
and repugnancy of our ideas.
b)
We can have no knowledge of that which does not exist. God has a
perfect knowledge of all his works. Human knowledge is very limited,
and is mostly gained by observation and experience.
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An example of some Bible words
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One of the Hebrew words is
דַּעַת daʻath.
It means knowledge, perception, skill, discernment, understanding,
wisdom. Referring to God, it would have the meaning of knowing
everything.
1.
God gives this knowledge when necessary: Exodus 31:3 NET and
I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding,
in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.
2.
The amount of God’s knowledge is impossible for us to understand:
Psalm 139:6 NET Your
knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am
unable to fathom it.
3.
Whatever knowledge and skill is needed for creation, God has:
Proverbs 3:20 NLT By
his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the
dew settles beneath the night sky.
4.
He knows everything about us: 1 Samuel 2:3 NRSV Boast
no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.
1.
God’s knowledge is so vast that we cannot examine it or understand
it: Romans 11:33 NET Oh,
the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!
2.
Note “all:” Colossians 2:2-3 PickNT That
their hearts may be encouraged, being united in love and into a great
wealth of confident understanding, into a real knowledge of the
mystery of the God and Father and of the Christ, 3 in whom all the
treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge are hidden.
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Foreknowledge= knowledge of the future. The English definition:
knowledge
or awareness of something before it occurs or exists.
This is not a decreed action that is rendered certain. It is truly
knowledge of the future. It seems to me that the Calvinist doesn’t
believe that God truly knows the future. They believe that God
exhaustively decrees the future and renders it certain. They believe
the only way God knows the future is to decide what it will be, have
a perfect memory, and ensure that it takes place. To me that makes
God a superman but not one who truly knows the future without
decreeing it. The following article might help to understand the
Arminian view: Ed
Jarrett, “Arminianism: Foreknowledge, Predestination and Election”
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Acts 2:23 NRSV This
man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and
foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those
outside the law.
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1 Peter 1:2 ISV The
people chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father
through the sanctifying action of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus,
the Messiah, and to be sprinkled with his blood. May grace and peace
be yours in abundance!
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Natural knowledge= All that can happen. God knows all that can be
known whether it will exist or not. The usual example given if God
was going to make a universe, He would have to know everything, how
they would interact, how they would respond to stimuli (both
pleasurable and noxious), and if rebellion occurred, how it would
occur and its results. Perfectly and exhaustively know math,
chemistry, physics, decisions, etc.
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Middle knowledge= All that would happen. God knows exactly how a
person will choose or respond in any given circumstances. The usual
example is Peter choosing to deny that he knows Jesus. It is the
middle between a person’s free will and God’s sovereignty.
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Free knowledge= All that will happen. This is not just what science
and math know and predict. It is what is the unknown as well. God
knows the future perfectly. He knows every response, every decision,
every action, every word, and every thought.
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Bible verse
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Luke 10:13 CSB Woe
to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that
were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
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Matthew 26:24 CSB The
Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that
man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for
him if he had not been born.
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Exodus 9:14-15 NLT If
you don't, I will send more plagues on you and your officials and
your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all
the earth. By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your
people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.
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People making choices different from God’s choice.
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Matthew 23:37 CSB Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to
her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen
gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
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2 Peter 3:9 CSB The
Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is
patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to
repentance.
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Isaiah 30:1 CSB Woe
to the rebellious children! This is the LORD's declaration. They
carry out a plan, but not mine; they make an alliance, but against my
will, piling sin on top of sin.
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Perfect
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Definition: without any flaw.
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Words
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The Hebrew word is
תָּמִים tâmîym.
It means complete is various applications such as completely well,
time as complete, morally complete (sinless), completely meeting the
standard of truth and justice.
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God’s law is perfect: Psalm 19:7 NIV The
law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the
LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
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His lifestyle: Psalm 18:30 NIV As
for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields
all who take refuge in him.
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All that He does: Psalm 111:7 NIV The
works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are
trustworthy.
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Note the contrast with the devil: Ezekiel 28:15 NKJV You
were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till
iniquity was found in you.
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The Greek word is
τέλειος téleios. It means much the same as the Hebrew word.
It is complete, finished, not lacking anything, so morally,
intellectually, spiritually, etc. perfect.
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God’s standard of life is perfect. It lacks nothing and meets the
standard of perfection is every possible way: Matthew 5:48 NIV Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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God’s will is perfect: Romans 12:2 NIV Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what
God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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The Law of Jesus is perfect (in contrast with Mosaic law. If one
tried as hard as possible to obey the Mosaic law, it would not save
from God’s wrath, but if one follows Messiah’s law, it does):
James 1:25 CSB But
the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and
perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who
works—this person will be blessed in what he does.
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God’s love is perfect, and we should have this same type of love: 1
John 4:18 ESV There
is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to
do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
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God’s words are perfect, ours are not, but that is God’s
standard: James 3:2 NIV We
all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they
say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
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