It's not simply that God knows the future like history, like it's already played out, but MM says that it HAS played out.


This is the real crux of the problem. It's not simply that God knows the future as if it's played out, but *it's already played out*. That makes it completely settled.

What if you are wrong? What if time unfolds for us as if God does not exist in the past, present, and future simultaneously?

Why do you think God's experience in time effects, alters, changes our experience in time? Why do you think it's impossible for God to exist in the past, present, and future simultaneously without it effecting, altering, changing how we experience time?

T:1.If God knows the future like history, then
2.The future is like history, meaning its single-threaded, and
3.Nothing we can do will impact the future.

The last item means we do not have free will in the libertarian sense. Your question was asked from the compatibilistic standpoint, which assumes a less strict definition of "free will." For those who accept this less strict definition, there isn't a problem, regarding the question of "free will."

However, other questions would remain, such as the problem of evil. E.g., Why would God create a being (Lucifer) He was certain would sin when He could just as well have created a being (someone else) He was certain would not sin? Same questions for Adam and Eve. Simply quoting a statement from EGW that says that God would establish His throne in righteousness doesn't even begin to address the question being asked here.

M:Why do you say it means we cannot impact the future?

Do you mean we cannot make choices resulting in an outcome different than the one God watched play out?

Do you think God's experience in time effects (alters, changes) our experience in time?

Also, do you think God existing in the past, present, and future simultaneously means He is cruel because He created certain FMAs even though He watched them sin and die in the lake of fire?

If so, what makes you think not creating them was an option?

T: Actually, as I've explained on quite a few occasions, one's view of God isn't what matters. It's one view of the future that is relevant here. Is the future settled or not? Your view of God only matters in that it leads to the conclusion that the future is settled. E.g., you state that the future has "already played out." Given that the future has already played out, we may conclude that it's single-threaded, and consider the implications of that.

M:Again, are you suggesting God's experience in time effects (alters, changes) our experience in time? If so, why do you think so?

Or, do you agree with me that it makes no difference whatsoever, that is, time unfolds as if God is limited to time and space in exactly the same way we are.

T: This is a false statement. I comprehend that. As I've explained, if God exists in the past, present, and future simultaneously -- if the future has "already played out," (as you put it), that means the future is settled, which impacts how we experience time, if we care about logic.

M:What if you are wrong? What if time unfolds for us as if God does not exist in the past, present, and future simultaneously?

Why do you think God's experience in time effects, alters, changes our experience in time?

Why do you think it's impossible for God to exist in the past, present, and future simultaneously without it effecting, altering, changing how we experience time?

T:It's not simply that God knows the future like history, like it's already played out, but MM says that it HAS played out.

MM:...I also believe eternity has already played out and God alone knows "the end from the beginning".(emphasis mine)

T:This is the real crux of the problem. It's not simply that God knows the future as if it's played out, but *it's already played out*. That makes it completely settled.

M:Are you saying God's experience in time makes the future settled?

If so, how and why? And, does it mean we are not truly free to choose as we please? Does it somehow rob us our ability and freedom to choose as we please?

Kland, I believe God exists in the past, present, and future simultaneously and that it has zero effect on how we experience time. We are just as free to choose as we please as if God does not exist in the past, present, and future simultaneously. In other words, His existence in the past, present, and future does not effect, alter, change our experience in time. It doesn't effect, alter, change time in any way whatsoever. Time unfolds sequentially just as it always does.