AOG: OMNIPOTENCE

Question 1

What does being omnipotent technically mean God can do?

Answer 1

Anything.

Question 2

What is not logically possible?

Answer 2

Where there is logical contradiction involved.

Question 3

What does Descartes argue to support the view that God can do anything?

Answer 3

God could change the fundamental laws of physics, which, as far as we know are unchanging and apply universally.

Question 4

What does Aquinas describe God as?

Answer 4

‘Active power’ - ability to exercise power and bring about events.

Question 5

What is a solution to the problem of God’s omnipotence?

Answer 5

Seek to redefine omnipotence as meaning ‘that which is logically possible for a being such as God.’ (Swineburne)

Question 6

What does Mavrodes argue about the paradox of the stone?

Answer 6

If the paradox of the stone is defined as ‘to create a stone that God cannot lift’ and God by definition is a being of unlimited power, this would make the idea of the stone self-contradictory.

Question 7

What does Aquinas argue about the paradox of the stone?

Answer 7

A stone so heavy that God cannot lift it is an impossible object.

Question 8

Where in the Bible is God’s omnipotence supported?

Answer 8

Luke 1:37 - “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Question 9

How is God’s omnipotence limited?

Answer 9

He cannot change the past.

Question 10

What does Ockham distinguish between?

Answer 10

Distinguishes between the two powers of God. The ‘absolute power of God’ and the ‘ordained power of God’.

Question 11

How does Aquinas argue for God’s unlimited ability?

Answer 11

God is able to do anything, he can part the Red Sea and restore the dead to life.

Question 12

What does Swinburne describe God as?

Answer 12

“limitless, intentional power.”

Question 13

What does Dawkins argue against religion?

Answer 13

It teaches people to be “satisfied with not understanding the world.”

Question 14

What does Russell argue against God’s omnipotence?

Answer 14

Universe is a brute fact so does not require an omnipotent God to explain its existence.

Question 15

Where is there a lack of power demonstrated?

Answer 15

His inaction in the Holocaust, Genocide etc.

Question 16

What does Descartes argue in reference to God being the source of logic?

Answer 16

He has the power to suspend logic and replace it with whatever he wants.

Question 17

What does Descartes say about God conforming to the laws of nature, logic and physics?

Answer 17

Since God made them He can break them.

Question 18

What does J.L. Mackie say in criticism of Descartes’ argument of logically impossible actions?

Answer 18

Were “only a form of words which fail to describe any state of affairs”.

Question 19

What does Descartes argument turn God into?

Answer 19

An arbitrary and unpredictable God who can do anything.

Question 20

What does Aquinas state in defence of God having the power to do whatever is logically possible?

Answer 20

“Whatever involves a contradiction is not held by omnipotence”.

Question 21

What does Aquinas say about God and sin?

Answer 21

God cannot sin as this contradicts God’s good nature.

Question 22

How does Swinburne support Aquinas’ proposition?

Answer 22

Agrees that God’s omnipotence means God can do everything but we must first understand what ‘everything’ includes.

Question 23

What does Vardy state in defence of God’s omnipotence being limited? What example does he give?

Answer 23

God is not in control of the whole of history or able to move pieces like chess on a chess board.

Question 24

What does Vardy believe the universe is created to suit?

Answer 24

Free, rational creatures, therefore, God limits his power over this.

Question 25

How do we speak of God’s power according to Macquarie?

Answer 25

We do so as an analogy. God’s power is very different from our own.