St. Augustine speculated that God exists outside of time. This viewpoint would seem to make sense in our modern understanding of physics since time is dependent upon space; time is not an absolute, and it is not linear. God, according to Augustine and other theologians, sees all of history as one eternal present moment. Of course, I can understand the concept, but I cannot understand what this really means, what it really feels like, just as I can't really understand what it means that time is space dependent, or that time slows down as one approaches the speed of light.
My question, though, is this: If God created the angels -- including the angel who became the Devil -- did he do this outside of time as well? Are the angels -- and the Devil -- in time or outside of time? If they are in time, what sense of time? Time as it is perceived by us humans living on a planet of such-and-such size travelling at such-and-such speed, hence creating a certain quality of time? (Which would imply he created them on this planet -- which doesn't make sense). Or some other "realm" of sorts in time?
Or, what if God created them outside of time. That would mean that they too experience all of eternity as one gigantic NOW. If so, in what way could it be said that a certain angel became the Devil (as this would imply a linear progression in time towards sin and rebellion)?
I'm not saying I believe in any of this, nor am I asking for silly comments like "it's all bullshit, don't waste your time." I can come up with that answer myself. I'm looking for a serious discussion here.
B.
