Redeem the Time

I recently watched the movie Paycheck. It is a film that is a puzzle of sorts, and the concept of time and the future are important to the plot. I was struck by to simple concepts put forth in the movie:

First, Ben Affleck says at one point that to show someone their future is to steal their future. If we know the future, then we have lost the future. I can almost accept the idea that the future must necessarily entail mystery otherwise it’s not the future. I’m not sure if I completely accept that yet though.

Second, a point of the movie is that if we know the future we are destined to bring the future about by virtue of our actions. For instance, if we see a war in the future we will necessarily attack our enemy in order to preempt their attack against us thereby fulfilling the prophesy. This view of humanity is interesting; however in the movie the hero is able to resist bringing the future into existence.

I am convinced of two things. God will not show us the literal future, but he gives us His word by which we can get a pretty good idea of the future. By understanding the principles in His word, we can gain an understanding of God’s reactions to different situations, sins, and righteousness. I think man wants to rip the future out of God’s hands and we area wickedly bent on controlling our destinies.