Ep. #121 – Divine Knowledge & Divine Simplicity w/ Tomaszewski
Summary
How should classical theists think about divine knowledge? How can God have knowledge of diverse subjects if he is absolutely simple? Doesn’t God’s knowledge change when changes occur in the world? Wouldn’t God still have contingent knowledge if he only existed alone? Christopher Tomaszewski joins the podcast again to explain how classical theists might understand divine knowing and defend the account against objections.
Guest Bio
Christopher Tomaszewski is a graduate student working on a Ph.D. in philosophy at Baylor University. He has made presentations at the 2017 Central Division Meeting of the Society of Christian Philosophers and the 2018 Southwest Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Also, he has published an article in the journal Analysis on the topic of Divine Simplicity and Modal Collapse. He blogs at matterofargument.blogspot.com and has appeared on many podcasts and YouTube channels to discuss a variety of topics in philosophy and religion.
Topics
- What have you been working on since we last spoke?
- How should we understand divine knowledge?
- How does it differ from human knowledge?
- We look at Objection #1: If God is absolutely simple, then how can he have knowledge of such a diversity of things?
- Objection #2: If truths change over time (such as human beings not existing and then existing), then if God knows such truths his knowledge must also change.
- Objection #3: Even if God never created, he has contingent knowledge. If he has contingent knowledge intrinsic to his being, then this means God has accidents. Yet, classical theists hold that God does not have accidents.
- What should we keep in mind when thinking about God’s knowledge?
Resources
Defending the Doctrine of Divine Simplicity with Chris Tomaszewski – Podcast episode of the Pat Flynn Show
In Defense of Classical Theism – Gaven Kerr and Christopher Tomaszewski (on Suan Sonna’s YouTube channel Intellectual Conservatism)
Christopher Tomaszewski and Joe Schmid discuss Divine Simplicity (Capturing Christianity YouTube channel)
Joe Schmid’s Aloneness Argument (YouTube Video)
Christopher Tomaszewski’s blog
Related Episodes
Ep. #39 – Multiple Attributes & Divine Simplicity with Dr. Carl
Ep. #116 – The One Creator God w/ Fr. Michael Dodds O.P.
Debate Recap – Fr. Gregory Pine vs. Ben Watkins
