ABSTRACT
This century has seen a high level of interest in the metaphysics of time, largely due to two factors. The first factor was certain puzzles about time that followed from Einstein's Special and General Theories of Relativity and from the development of the theory of Quantum Mechanics (STR, GTR, and QM, respectively). As a result, discussions of the metaphysics of time have become highly technical and sophisticated, to the point where the philosophy of time has become a sub-discipline in its own right, a hybrid of philosophy and physics. Any proposed solution to the problem of God's temporal mode of being and his relation to time must take into account contemporary metaphysical and scientific discussions of time, something much theological writing fails to do. If a theory of God and time leads to metaphysical inconsistency or confusion, it cannot commend itself for our acceptance. Hence, we shall seek consistency with metaphysical constraints of a theory of time that is realist with respect to our deep intuitions about such things as the dynamic nature of time, temporal becoming, and the ontological status of the past, present, and future. Further, a successful theory must comport well with modern physics or it will not be taken seriously. Thus, we require consistency with empirical observations and acceptable interpretations of the theories of physics, especially notably STR, GTR and QM. The purpose of this chapter and the next is to summarize the metaphysics and physics of time and to understand the constraints which each imposes on a solution to the problem.
