Einstein's historic 'God Letter' written shortly before death up for auction — opening bid

[tttppp]

And where do I go to check the "fact" that you have a better understanding of infinity than Stephen Hawking? Just because you say you have a theory of everything doesn't mean that you do. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. But until you present your "research" I have no "fact" to check.

I have a theory. But like I said, I will need to find some people to help me prove it.

 

[tttppp]

This is a theory that has been asserted before but seems contradicted by expanding space. I can't disprove it, but you can't prove it, either. Nor disprove God.

Expanding space is just an observation, nothing more. It doesn't disprove infinity. I can prove my theory and disprove God, I just haven't done it yet.

 

[tttppp]

Be sure to post it here first when you're done

Ill give RPF an exlusive when I do.

 

[tttppp]

This is logically impossible. The universe cannot have always existed because there would not only be an infinite progression of events, but an infinite regression of events as well. If there is an infinite regression of events, it is impossible to progress through an infinite regression. Therefore, it is impossible to have arrived at the present time.

The mere fact that it is the present proves that the universe has not always existed. Your theory isn't logical.

Your argument makes no sense. Please clarify what you are trying to say.

 

[Origanalist]

And where do I go to check the "fact" that you have a better understanding of infinity than Stephen Hawking? Just because you say you have a theory of everything doesn't mean that you do. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. But until you present your "research" I have no "fact" to check.

Don't let a silly little thing like that stop you, get with it my man!

 

[Sola_Fide]

Your argument makes no sense. Please clarify what you are trying to say.

If the universe always existed, that means that infinity stretches backwards without end. It is impossible to progress through an infinity that stretches backwards without end. Therefore, it is impossible to ever arrive at the present.

The mere fact that it is the present logically proves that there is not an infinite regression of events behind us in time. Philosophers have had to deal with this for centuries. You should listen to the audio I posted.

 

[tttppp]

If the universe always existed, that means that infinity stretches backwards without end. It is impossible to progress through an infinity that stretches backwards without end. Therefore, it is impossible to ever arrive at the present.

The mere fact that it is the present logically proves that there is not an infinite regression of events behind us in time. Philosophers have had to deal with this for centuries. You should listen to the audio I posted.

It is completely logical for infinity to exist and for the universe to have always existed. The universe is not as straight forward as most scientists like to think. You don't even know what the present is, so how could you use it to dispute infinity?

 

[robert68]

If the universe always existed, that means that infinity stretches backwards without end. It is impossible to progress through an infinity that stretches backwards without end. Therefore, it is impossible to ever arrive at the present.

The mere fact that it is the present logically proves that there is not an infinite regression of events behind us in time. Philosophers have had to deal with this for centuries. You should listen to the audio I posted.

Did "God" always exist?

 

[Sola_Fide]

Did "God" always exist?

Not in time.

 

[robert68]

Not in time.

What's that mean? Did “God” have a first act or thought?

 

[Sola_Fide]

What's that mean? Did “God” have a first act or thought?

It means God has never existed in a framework of events that progress one after the other--time. Therefore, the logical impossibilities of infinity do not apply to eternity...because God is a timeless being.

Also, why do you insist on putting God's name in "scare quotations"?

 

[tttppp]

It means God has never existed in a framework of events that progress one after the other--time. Therefore, the logical impossibilities of infinity do not apply to eternity...because God is a timeless being.


Also, why do you insist on putting God's name in "scare quotations"?

I've heard that bs before. Its ok for God to be infinite, but when I say we could be infinite, that's illogical.

 

[Sola_Fide]

I've heard that bs before. Its ok for God to be infinite, but when I say we could be infinite, that's illogical.

I never said God was infinite. Never. Infinity is still a category of time. God is time-less.

Infinitude, if we are talking about time, is a category that cannot be applied to God.

 

[robert68]

It means God has never existed in a framework of events that progress one after the other--time. Therefore, the logical impossibilities of infinity do not apply to eternity...because God is a timeless being.

Also, why do you insist on putting God's name in "scare quotations"?

You didn’t answer my second question: Did God have a first act or thought? Also, if God has thoughts and does things, they occur in a succession, and that meets the definition of time.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/time

 

[Sola_Fide]

You didn’t answer my second question: Did God have a first act or thought? Also, if God has thoughts and does things, they occur in a succession, and that meets the definition of time.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/time

No. You are confusing time with eternity. You should listen to the audio I posted.

There is no past or future with God. This is why the questions you ask are not appropriate, because they force a framework of time on a timeless Being. Gordon Clark goes into how Augustine dealt with these questions. Its fascinating.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Here is the foremost Christian philosopher of the last century critiquing the non-Biblical views of time and explaining the Biblical view of time. Some of the concepts make my brain explode, but its so interesting to ponder:

Time and Eternity
By Gordon Clark
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1250616487

Before I listen, does it explain how motion can exist outside of time? Would it be instantaneous motion? (that is, getting from point A to point B instantaneously, without motion) Thanks!

 

[Sola_Fide]

Before I listen, does it explain how motion can exist outside of time? Would it be instantaneous motion? (that is, getting from point A to point B instantaneously, without motion) Thanks!

Hmm. I'm not sure. He does critique Aristotle's view that time is motion, though.

 

[tttppp]

I never said God was infinite. Never. Infinity is still a category of time. God is time-less.

Infinitude, if we are talking about time, is a category that cannot be applied to God.

That's just absurd. We are subject to certain rules, but when it comes to God you can throw all of them out for the hell of it.

 

[torchbearer]

In fairness, its kinda hard to about a dimension without time using a language based on time.
without time, everything that ever is or ever was is together- a singularity.

i just found einsteins musings interesting. i think it is healthy to think beyond tradition thought.
all progress is made by innovators.

 

[Sola_Fide]

That's just absurd. We are subject to certain rules, but when it comes to God you can throw all of them out for the hell of it.

No...I'm just presenting the God of the Universe to you as the Bible describes Him. You don't have to like it or agree with it. There are many anthropomorphic, time-dependent conceptions of gods out there that you can critique, like Mormonism. But Biblical Christianity isn't affected by the criticism.