INTRODUCTION

The concept of God and eternity is indeed a topic that transcends mortal comprehension.

Throughout history, human beings have pondered the nature of God and the idea of eternity,

often approaching it from religious, philosophical, or metaphysical perspectives. God, in many

religious traditions, is believed to be a supreme being or a higher power that created and governs

the universe. Different religions have varying beliefs about the attributes, nature, and relationship

of God with the world and its inhabitants. These beliefs are often shaped by cultural, historical,

and personal factors.

Eternity, on the other hand, refers to a state of infinite or unending existence,

transcending the limitations of time. It is a concept that challenges our finite understanding, as

we experience life within the confines of time and space. Eternity can be thought of as a timeless

realm or an everlasting state, where the linear progression of time ceases to exist. Given our

limited human perspective and cognitive abilities, fully comprehending God and eternity may be

beyond our reach. Our understanding is often confined to the boundaries of our mortal existence,

and attempting to grasp the infinite or the divine can be a challenging endeavor. Many

individuals find solace, inspiration, and meaning in exploring these concepts through faith,

spirituality, and philosophical contemplation. Different religious and philosophical traditions

offer frameworks, narratives, and interpretations to help navigate the mysteries of God and

eternity, providing a sense of purpose, moral guidance, and a connection to something greater

than us.

What should be the role of philosophy with respect to religious belief? The question is

hard to answer since people have different ideas as to what constitutes philosophy and religion.

A traditional answer, however, is that philosophy can help us to see whether or not religious

beliefs are worthy of acceptance. The idea here is that philosophers can single out religious

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beliefs and ask questions like 'Is this belief rationally defensible?' or 'Can this belief be supported

by argument or appeal to evidence?' Lying behind such questions is the assumption that religious

beliefs are either true or false and that their truth or falsity can be settled or discussed at an

intellectual level. Is this assumption, right? Much of what follows is concerned with arguments

for the existence of God, so it is worth noting at the outset that, at least with respect to belief in

God, many have urged that the assumption is mistaken. Why? One answer which has been given

is that belief in God is neither true nor false since 'God exists' or 'There is a God' are not

meaningful statements and are therefore incapable of being defended or refuted. Another answer

given is that, though 'God exists' or 'There is a God' are perfectly meaningful, those who believe

in God have no need to show that their belief can be justified at the bar of reason.

Ultimately, the nature of God and eternity may remain a subject of speculation, faith, and

personal interpretation, with diverse beliefs and perspectives shaping our understanding of these

profound concepts. The relationship between God and eternity is a complex and multifaceted

topic that has been explored in various religious and philosophical texts.

In many religious traditions, God is often considered eternal, existing outside the confines of

time and space. This means that God is not bound by the limitations of the temporal world that

we experience. Instead, God is seen as transcendent, existing beyond the boundaries of time and

having a timeless nature.

For example, in Christian theology, the concept of God's eternity is often linked to the

idea of God as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. In the Bible, specifically in the

book of Revelation (Revelation 1:8), it is stated, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord

God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." This verse suggests that God's

existence extends across all time, encompassing the past, present, and future.

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DEFINTION OF THE TERMS

Etymologically, the word ‘Eternity’ comes from Latin word “Aeternus” which mean Eternal,

Endless, Immortal, Permanent, Lasting and Perpetual.

Eternity has to do with unending occurrence or transformation, the only thing that can be said to

be or is an eternity being is the spirit which cant be seen of touch.

Eternity refers to an infinite or everlasting duration of time. It is a concept that denotes a state of

being without an end or a beginning, transcending the limitations of temporal existence. In

various philosophical, religious, and metaphysical contexts, eternity is often associated with

concepts such as immortality, infinity, and the eternal nature of the divine.

The notion of eternity can be understood in different ways depending on the perspective and

cultural or religious beliefs. In some religious traditions, eternity is seen as an eternal afterlife or

existence beyond earthly life. For example, in Christianity, the concept of eternity is associated

with the everlasting life of the soul in the presence of God.

In a broader sense, eternity can also be interpreted as a timeless or unchanging state, not bound

by the linear progression of time as we experience it in our day-to-day lives. It represents an

absence of temporal limitations, where past, present, and future merge into a unified whole.

It's important to note that the concept of eternity goes beyond the scope of scientific

understanding, as science primarily deals with observable phenomena and the laws governing the

physical universe. Eternity is more often a subject of contemplation in philosophy, theology, and

metaphysics, inviting speculation and exploration of the nature of existence beyond the confines

of time.

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 According to Evans. St. Augustine (354 430AD) which was a Philosopher and a

Theologian, a preeminent member of the great tradition of Christian Platonism whose influence

had great impact both on the scholastic of medieval period and on the Protestant Reformers.

Most of his views are contained in his works, some of which are: The Confession and

The City of God. From these works one can clearly see the influence of Plato and Neo-

Platonism. Augustine's conversion occurred in 386 AD when he gave real assent to abandoning

his rhetoric profession for a total pursuit of philosophy, which to him was the quest for the

knowledge of God.

St. Agustine laid down two pre-ordination of the universe which are the city of God and

the city of Earth. In the city of Earth, Augustine counterposed his idea if the city of God. While

the city of God portrayed the universal rule if the church. The city of Earth portrayed the sinful

secular state.

The concept of God is beyond and deeply rooted in religion, spirituality, and

philosophical discourse. Different religious traditions and philosophical systems offer various

interpretations and understandings of God. Here are a few references from different religious

texts that provide insights into the concept of God:

1. Christianity:
- The Bible, John 4:24: "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in
truth."
- The Bible, 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

2. Islam:

- The Qur'an, Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112), Verse 1-4: "Say, 'He is Allah, the One, Allah, the
Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"

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3. Hinduism:

- The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10, Verse 20: "I am the Self, O Gudakesha [Arjuna], seated in
the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings."

4. Buddhism:

- The Diamond Sutra, Chapter 32: "Thus shall you think of all this fleeting world:

A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream,

A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,

A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream."

5. Sikhism:

- Guru Granth Sahib, Japji Sahib, Pauri 1: "One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth.

Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-

Existent. By Guru's Grace."

VERIFICATION OF GOD

One can begin to understand the first position by noting the work of a famous group of

philosophers who, in the 1920s, began to gather in Vienna around a writer called Moritz Schlick

(1882-1936). The verification principle became the most distinctive thinking doctrine of logical

positivism, which is what the school of represented and influenced by the Vienna Circle came to

be called. But the principle was not always stated in the same way. Some early formulations take

it as a principle about 'propositions'. Later ones refer to 'statements' and 'sentences'. A distinction

was also made between what has been called the 'weak' and the 'strong' version of the.

verification principle. The weak version became the most popular. It held that (forgetting about

mathematical statements, tautologies, and truths of logic) a statement is factual and meaningful

only if sense experience can go at least some way to confirming it. But in the early days of

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logical positivism, it was the strong version of the verification principle that was in vogue.

Weismann stated it thus: 'Anyone uttering a sentence must know under what conditions he calls

it true and under what conditions he calls it false. If he is unable to state these conditions, he does

not know what he has said. A statement which cannot be conclusively verified cannot be verified

at all. It is simply devoid of any meaning. The history of the verification principle is too

complicated to follow in detail here. But we can note that all its proponents held that the

principle's implications were devastating for belief in God. Take, for example, Carnap. 'In its

metaphysical use', he observes, 'the word "God" refers to something beyond experience. The

word is deliberately divested of its reference to a physical being or to a spiritual being that is

immanent in the physical. And as it is not given a new meaning, it becomes meaningless.

When God revealed Himself to Moses, he gave his name as “I AM,” a clear reference to

His timeless being. When Jesus explained his identity, He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.”

Using this biblical terms, one can now understand that God is beyond human idea and he cant be

account for which means you can give account of his existent.

Bible has given us a clear understanding about Jesus which makes it possible for human to

understand and it not beyond our comprehension. The same bible only tell us how God created

the universes and everything in.

REASON AND BELIEF IN GOD

How should we respond to all this? Should we, for instance, conclude that there is indeed

something mistaken in the attempt to ground belief in God in rational discussion or argument?

Should we conclude that, even if it is not wholly misguided, the attempt is at least unnecessary?

Take, to begin with, Barth's interpretation of the Bible. This has a lot to be said for it. Biblical

writers do not engage in what most people would understand as a rational defense of belief in

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God. They seem uninterested in asking whether God exists and why, if he exists, we should

believe in his existence. There is not a. single argument for God's existence anywhere in the

Bible, though there are arguments to the effect that the gods of the heathen are vain delusion.

Biblical authors normally presuppose the existence of God. For them it does not need arguing.

And the same can be said of many, perhaps most, people who believe in God. For this reason, so

we may add, Phillips also has a case when he observes that belief in God is not a theoretical or

hypothetical conclusion based on grounds or empirical evidence. The average churchgoer would

be very surprised at a sermon beginning 'Today we will consider whether or not it is reasonable

to believe in the existence of God'. And there are differences between believing in God and

believing in a hypothesis or in something for which one has evidence. In most cases, hypotheses

are entertained tentatively. But those who believe in God do not normally speak as though it

might, after all, turn out that there is no God. Then again, evidence for the existence of

something often consists of empirical data produced by empirical objects which, at least in

principle, we can come across directly. Yet God is not usually thought of as an empirical object

to be directly encountered. Under some philosophical influence, we might fantasize ourselves

confirming our belief that such and such is evidence for tigers being around by capturing tigers

or by photographing them. But nobody suggests that we can capture God or photograph him. In

other words, both Barth and Phillips have drawn attention to important features of belief in God

as it is actually. held by those who believe. And what they have to say about believers and their

belief in God is also correct in other ways. Barth asserts that God is radically distinct from

creatures, · that he is, in Barth's language, 'wholly other'. Phillips says that God is not a physical

object or a being among beings. Both ways of talking latch on to a major tradition of theological

discourse. In the Bible we find it said that God is incomparable.

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DIVINE KNOWLEDGE

Divine knowledge is that which comes directly from God, the unphilosophical mind

believes that all knowledge comes from God. All other sources of knowledge are merely human

devices to self-esteem. Knowledge through reason or sensation or any named source can be

traced to God. Therefore, God is the ultimate source of knowledge. Other sources are mere

intermediaries. While not disputing this, I will be swift to point out here that this source of

knowledge is not philosophical but religious. Divine source of knowledge cannot lay claim to

any scientific authenticity. It is a common and generally accepted postulate that all knowledge

comes from God and that other sources are mere mediums through which the divine knowledge

is made intelligible. In philosophy these intelligible mediums with direct relevance to human

agents, are the ones recognized. Following certain rules and principles anyone endowed with the

necessary facilities will have the same experience irrespective of time, place and faith.

From the above statement, we can now use this theory to justify that the knowledge about God

and eternity is far beyond moral comprehension. Anything that has to do with deity can not be

understand with a physical mindset because this is beyond the physical prescription and human

knowledge.

RATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge about God is not knowledge that can be acquired through pure reasons or

through experiment which can be done on file of lab. Rational knowledge, this is an age- long

source of knowledge. It is knowledge acquired through exercise of reason. Many philosophers

believe that it is the only reliable and most certain source of knowledge acquisition. Rationalism

has Socrates, Plato, Spinoza, Descartes, and Malebranche among others as its chief proponents.

By way of definition, rational knowledge can be said to be knowledge acquired through reason

alone without reference to the empirical facts or direct observation.

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GOD AND EMPIRICISM

The notion of God and his existence has undergone many changes throughout the history

of empiricist philosophy. While the grate medieval philosophy Aquinas “felt that the most

important concern of the philosopher was with the primary substance or God”, some modern

philosopher went so far as to say that any reference to things that transcend the senses is

cognitively meaningless since there is no evidence on which such ideas can be either affirmed or

denied.

Aquinas argued that meditating on God’s works in creation leads to us reflecting on

God’s wisdom, admiring his power, having reverence for God in our hearts and love for God’s

goodness in our souls. This is because if the goodness, beauty and wonder of creation, which

represent a tiny proportion of God’s goodness, are so delightful to the human mind, then they

will attract us even more strongly to God’s total goodness. So, natural theology can support faith.

WHY GOD AND ETERNITY IS BEYOND HUMAN COMPHERNSION?

Before trying to talk about God, first one has to understand who is God and what is God.

In monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, God is typically seen as the

supreme being, creator, and sustainer of the universe. God is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-

knowing (omniscient), and present everywhere (omnipresent). God is often described as

transcendent, meaning beyond the physical world, while also immanent, meaning present within

creation. The nature and attributes of God are often explored through sacred texts, philosophical

reflection, and personal experiences of believers.

Theologians may further delve into the nature of God, discussing topics such as divine

providence (God's guidance and care over creation), divine attributes (e.g., love, justice, mercy),

and the relationship between God and humanity. Theologians may also explore the problem of

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evil, seeking to reconcile the existence of suffering with the notion of an all-powerful and

benevolent God.

It's important to note that different theologians, religious denominations, and cultural

contexts may have nuanced understandings of God, and theological perspectives can vary

significantly. This response provides a general overview, but specific theologians may offer

unique interpretations and perspectives on the nature of God. God can’t be understood by human

idea because he is our creator and he is all knowing God which means that we cant understand

him.

Let’s us use the problem of being and answer this question, but first what is being and

who is a being? Such was the question that Aristotle asked of being. Indeed, when we want to

know what something is, this is the question that we ask. In relation to being, however, the

question labors under certain difficulties for example, we may ask the question "What is a dog?"

and give a definition which will cover every animal that is mammal, vertebrate, Canine,

domesticated, etc. In thus defining dog as a specific sort of animal, however, we make use of

what is non- dog; for there are also things which are not dogs, namely all those animal which are

invertebrate, undomesticated, etc., as well as the innumerable non-dog things that are not animals

thus we have a class of animals carefully and logically circumscribed; everything that is a dog

falls into this class, and the class is circumscribed by everything that is non-dog. If. however, we

attempt to define being as the class of all things that exist, we immediately run into a problem. In

the case of dog we could use what is non-dog in order to establish the class. But what might be

used to define or delineate the class of being, that is, of all things that exist? For there is no non-

being which might possibly be used to define being as a class, since, by definition, non-being

does not exist. There is, then, literally nothing that might be used actually to constitute the

"class" of being.

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If we can’t understand what is being and also know, then we can’t understand Eternity talk less

of God which is the creator of being and eternity.

Substance are entities that exisat independently and

are not dependent on anything else for their
existence…. (Rene Descartes.)
Rene Descartes quotation make us understand that God is the only one that exist without any

form of existence or existing through anyone, but human exist through him which makes human

unable to understand him.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE ONE

For Plotinus, of all the beings there are, the highest being is The One which is wholly

transcendent and equally beyond all thought and being. It transcends essence and existence, life,

time and whatever anyone can think of. In short, The One is incomprehensible. How then can we

understand The One. For Plotinus, this is only possible by attributing properties to it. But he is

not any property or the sum of all the properties so attributed to him. The One is nothing but

absolute unity and absolute goodness, however he possesses this by way of analogy because in

actual sense he is beyond these properties. The One of Plotinus refers to God, the Good, First

Existent, the Absolute, the Infinite, and the Father. However, in the hierarchy of existence, The

One comes before the Good and the Beautiful. Lawhead, says of the One that although he does

not consciously act, he is so full that it overflows and all things emanate from it. Since all things

emanate from it, it follows that the One is the source of the world and itself is uncreated.

According to Idang, Plotinus believes that the One (God) is not merely an intellectual conception

but that which can be experienced.

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CAN ETERNITY DIVER FROM TIME?

Yes, the concept of eternity can diverge from time. In the context of traditional

understanding, time is often seen as a linear progression of moments, moving from the past

through the present and into the future. It is characterized by change, impermanence, and the

succession of events.

Eternity, on the other hand, refers to a state of existence that is not bound by the

constraints of time. It is often conceived as a timeless and unchanging reality. In this sense,

eternity transcends the sequential nature of time and encompasses a state of being that is not

subject to temporal limitations.

Some philosophical and religious perspectives suggest that eternity exists outside of time

altogether. It is viewed as a transcendent realm or a higher dimension that is not governed by the

passage of time as we understand it. In this conception, eternity is seen as a timeless and infinite

state that exists independently of the temporal world.

Others propose that eternity can be understood as a simultaneous coexistence of all

moments in time. This perspective suggests that every moment, from the past to the future, is

eternally present and accessible. From this standpoint, eternity encompasses all of time in a

comprehensive and unified manner.

IS ETERNITY DIVER FROM GOD?

The relationship between eternity and God can vary depending on one's philosophical

and religious beliefs. Different perspectives offer different understandings of how these concepts

relate to each other.

In some religious traditions, God is considered eternal. It is believed that God exists

beyond time and is not subject to the limitations of temporal existence. God is seen as the source

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of all being and the foundation of reality, including time itself. From this viewpoint, eternity is

intimately connected to the nature of God.

In other philosophical and theological perspectives, eternity and God may be

distinguished. While eternity refers to a timeless and unchanging state, God may be seen as

encompassing both eternity and temporal existence. God may be considered eternal,

transcending time, but also able to interact with and affect the temporal world.

It's important to recognize that discussions about the relationship between eternity and

God are deeply complex and have been the subject of theological and philosophical debates

throughout history. Different religious traditions and philosophical schools of thought offer

varying interpretations and understandings.

Ultimately, the precise nature of the relationship between eternity and God, if they are believed

to exist, is a matter of personal faith, philosophical inquiry, and theological exploration.

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 CONCLUSION
The concepts of eternity and a God beyond mortal comprehension are deeply

philosophical and metaphysical in nature. They have been pondered and debated by thinkers,

theologians, and philosophers throughout history, and no definitive conclusion has been reached.

Eternity refers to a state of infinite or everlasting existence, transcending the limitations

of time and temporality. It is a concept that is difficult for mortal beings, who experience life

within a finite time frame, to fully grasp. Our understanding of reality is rooted in the context of

time and change, making it challenging to conceive of something that is outside of those

parameters.

Similarly, the notion of a God beyond mortal comprehension suggests the existence of a

divine being or higher power that surpasses human understanding. Many religious and spiritual

traditions posit the existence of such a God, often describing it as transcendent, omnipotent, and

omniscient. However, the human mind is limited in its capacity to comprehend the nature of a

being that is beyond the bounds of our ordinary perception and cognition.

Ultimately, the question of eternity and a God beyond mortal comprehension is one that

may be approached from different philosophical and religious perspectives, leading to various

interpretations and beliefs. Some individuals find comfort and meaning in embracing the mystery

and accepting that certain aspects of existence may lie beyond our understanding. Others may

engage in intellectual pursuits and spiritual practices in an attempt to gain insights into these

profound questions. The nature of eternity and a God beyond mortal comprehension remains

elusive and subjective. It is a topic that invites contemplation, speculation, and personal

reflection, but it is unlikely that a definitive conclusion will ever be reached due to the inherent

limitations of human cognition.

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Hendricks, Christina. Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophy of Religion. Web.

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Umtong, Iniobong, (eds). Philosophy and Logic. Uyo, Robertminder International Limited. 2016.

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Umtong, Iniobong. Theories of Knowledge. Uyo, Robertminder International Limited. 2023.

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Umtong, Iniobong. Exploration of Metaphysics. Uyo, Robertminder International Limited. 2018.

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Obioha, Precious. Medieval Philosophy. Web.

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