According to Swinburne, why is the concept of timelessness incoherent?

The concept of timelessness, according to Swinburne, can be seen as incoherent because it challenges the foundational understanding of God as necessarily involved in time, particularly in relation to human experiences and the world. Swinburne argues that if God is utterly timeless and unchanging, it becomes difficult to reconcile this with the dynamic and temporal nature of the universe that includes events, actions, and relationships.

The idea of God's temporality suggests that God interacts with the world in a meaningful way, which is then supported by scriptural narratives that depict God responding to human actions, making decisions, and entering into covenant relationships. This involvement assumes a temporal framework where God is not just a static entity, but one who engages with creation over time, reflecting God's personal relationship with humanity. Timelessness, therefore, is viewed as incompatible with the depiction of a personal God who can have direct interactions, leading to the conclusion that the notion of a timeless God fails to adequately express the relational dynamics illustrated in religious texts.