Questioning the Linearity of Time — Some Additional Thoughts
After talking to a friend about my views on the characteristics of time, I feel the need to add a some additional insights. Curiously, these insights occurred to me during a Church History class. Yet, they seem to add biblical credence to the idea of circular versus linear time. As noted before, I propose biblical scripture denotes time as circular based on verses found in Revelation (1:8; 22:6; 22:13). God is the “alpha” and “omega,” the beginning and the end of existance as symbolized by the first (alpha) and last (omega) letters of the Greek alphabet. If God is both beginning and end, then a linear view of time is fallacious; that is, viewing time as a line segment with God at the beginning point and God at the endpoint logically wrong. It implies two separate beings needed for two separate distinctions, a logical polytheism of sorts. Instead, connecting the two endpoints — beginning and ending of time — brings the points together into one divine being, God. Bringing the points together formulates a circle, hence time is circular not linear.
The passage of the seasons lends more credence to the circularity of time. The circle of God’s creation is born in the Spring, reaches full growth and potential in the Summer, declines in the Fall, and dies in the Winter. If viewing time using a linear model, then life as we know it ends in one set of four different phases. But the phases start again. After Winter with life seemingly ended, Spring comes again. The dead or hibernating creations of God come to life. The resurrection of Jesus Christ reinforces the model of circular time associated with God’s creation. Jesus seemingly dies but comes back to life. Using a linear model of time allows no hope for human beings, seemingly destined for the ultimate physical limitation of death. Fortunately, time is circular as human beings are “born again” after death.
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Comments
Gregory, I see you have a similar bent on this topic albeit on a more scientific plane. Your point on consciousness may be similar to the views I espouse regarding “seeing.” Please check the posts under Being able to “see”. Perhaps a convergence of your insights combined with a transformation of consciousness and/or spirituality guided by “seeing” meaningful realities finds the mark. Will be glad to publicize your website if you wish.
yogis have an interesting view of time, and of course sanskrit, with its great subtlety, has innumerable texts about time ..
short comment, your instincts are right ..
longer short comment, consciousness has subtler levels in which the experience of time is very different than the one our surface mind has ..
enjoy