LessonsThe Uncreated Qur’an: Divine Speech, Wording, Meaning and AttributionQuiz

God’s knowledge is held to be eternal, although its objects may come into existence, cease to exist or undergo change. Change in what is known does not by itself entail a new attribute arising within eternal knowledge.

Similarly, the content of a divine report may concern past, present or future events. Those relations concern created temporal realities, without making divine speech itself subject to the passage of time.

Distinguish:
1. The attribute’s being eternal in itself.
2. An object of the attribute, or an expression signifying it, having a temporal reference.

Variation in the second does not establish origination in the first.

Opening interactive controls...

Why changing relations do not change an attribute

The Uncreated Qur’an: Divine Speech, Wording, Meaning and Attribution

God’s knowledge is held to be eternal, although its objects may come into existence, cease to exist or undergo change. Change in what is known does not by itself entail a new attribute arising within eternal knowledge.

Similarly, the content of a divine report may concern past, present or future events. Those relations concern created temporal realities, without making divine speech itself subject to the passage of time.

Distinguish:
1. The attribute’s being eternal in itself.
2. An object of the attribute, or an expression signifying it, having a temporal reference.

Variation in the second does not establish origination in the first.