Does God Know What He Does Not Know?
The age-old question of whether God is omniscient or not raises intriguing philosophical and theological debates. This article delves into this enigmatic query, exploring how omniscience intersects with the concept of infinity and the nature of knowledge itself. By examining perspectives from traditional theologies and newer Tantric philosophies, we can gain deeper insights into the complexities surrounding this question.
The Limits of Omniscience
The notion that God knows everything—indeed, that God “knows that”—leads us down a path of paradoxes and questions. One of the most fundamental questions is whether infinity, the realm where God allegedly resides, actually exists or has definitive endpoints. Infinity, a concept that is often synonymous with the divine in many belief systems, brings with it a problematic understanding of existence and knowledge.
Consider the infinite number of hairs on a head. This conjures a scenario where, despite the apparent definiteness of the number being there, the act of counting introduces uncertainty and error. The very notion of infinity suggests that there’s always more to discover and that the known is but a small fraction of the whole. This raises the question of whether omniscience can truly be absolute if there are always more unknowns to explore.
Infinite Knowledge and Eternal Sorcery
The Tantric perspective offers a unique lens through which to view this question. In the Tantras, the goddess represents imminence and definiteness, while the god symbolizes indefiniteness and creativity. These contrasting roles reflect a more nuanced understanding of knowledge and existence. Let’s explore how this duality plays out.
The God of Certainty and the Goddess of Uncertainty
For instance, the goddess in Tantric practices can ask the god, “Why do you ask me when you know already?” This response, where the goddess asks the god to explain what he already knows, hints at a deeper understanding of knowable versus unknowable. Here, even the act of stating that God “knows” introduces a layer of potential ambiguity. The goddess then transforms this question in a sacred proto-speech (“Vac”) to reconcile the disparities in knowledge, suggesting that the true nature of knowledge lies in its fluidity rather than its absoluteness.
The Paradox of Infinity
Paradoxically, the infinite can be seen as both not ending and having an end at once. This dual nature reflects the enigmatic nature of infinity, much like the sentence “Is God His other or not?” contains its own answer within it. If God were His own other, it would mean that knowledge itself must transcend simple categorical distinctions, existing in layers of understanding and ever-evolving forms of truth.
The Nature of Knowledge and the Process of Understanding
The concept of omniscience is inherently tied to the process of knowledge acquisition. Traditional arguments for omniscience often propose that if God knows everything, then no question should be beyond Him. However, this overlooks the process of seeking and discovering knowledge. Even if God does know something, the act of conveying it (or understanding it) might require a different form of expression or perspective.
This brings us to the idea that true knowledge might not be static but dynamic. The god in Tantric traditions is portrayed as creating and re-creating, implying that knowledge is a process rather than a fixed state. This perspective suggests that even if God knows something, the act of expressing or understanding it might require a different framework, much like the idea of “in other words” in Tantric rituals.
The act of seeking knowledge—whether through logic, intuition, or divine revelation—can be seen as a collaborative process. This suggests that the relationship between the divine and human understanding might be more symbiotic than singular, where both participants contribute to the overall body of knowledge.
Personal Worship and Theological Reflection
Finally, we must consider the personal aspect of spiritual belief. The idea that God is not just an emblem but a personal entity we worship adds a new dimension to the discussion. Instead of focusing on debates between different theological schools, this perspective invites us to explore the more intimate relationship between the believer and the divine. It suggests that the ultimate origin of our questions and knowledge might lie in the human mind and will, rather than an external, unchanging entity.
This reflection on the nature of omniscience invites us to rethink the very foundations of our belief systems. It encourages us to approach theological questions with humility and an awareness of the limitations of our understanding. By embracing uncertainty, we open up new paths for exploration and growth in our spiritual journeys.