The B Theory of Time and the Immutability of God

Abstract

Historically, we have seen the study of what time is for God, and what time is for us, as two distinct fields of study. God’s time and our time were separate. However, given the rise of the ‘B-theory’ of time in philosophical discussion, they need no longer be so separate. It is entirely plausible to posit that time operates within the same field for us and for God. As such, he becomes more personal; not a being transcending our world but living as part of it, and sustaining it. In this paper, I have offered arguments to suppose that if God is immutable, then the ‘B-theory’ offers a more convincing account of time. In particular, that if the ‘A-theory’ is true then God is liable to change. The ‘B-theory’ therefore helps to defend the doctrine of divine immutability and furthermore propounds a more personal God.