Attributes And Nature Of God: Omnipotence Flashcards
Biblical views on omnipotence.
Jesus (Matt 19:26) “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”
What is a paradox?
A situation where two
contradictory statements both appear true.
What are some paradoxes of omnipotence?
Can God create a stone too heavy for him to lift
Can God sin
Can God run, jump or do other things that people with bodies can do
If God can do everything, could he do the logically impossible such as create a five sided triangle?
Can God change the past
What is the Solution?
Different definitions
What does Descartes say about God?
God can do anything, including the logical impossible.
However, Aquinas argued in possible actions such as a square circle, or no actions at all. They are not proper things that one can or cannot do. C. S. Lewis agreed, observing that “meaningless combinations of words, do not suddenly acquire meaning because we prefix to them two other words ‘God can’”.
Many argue that is incorrect to suggest that God can sin, lie, or engage in immoral behaviour. Hebrews 6:18 states that is impossible for God to lie
What does Aquinas say about God?
God can do all things that are logically possible. This is a view of Aquinas. God cannot do anything that is logically impossible. Mavrodes’ solution is if God by definition, is it being of unlimited power, this would make the idea of a stone he cannot lift logically, impossible task. Similarly, a square circle is logically impossible, and thus not subject to God’s omnipotence
What does Kenny say about God?
Anthony Kenny said God can do all things that is logically possible for a being such as God to do. Although dismissal of the paradoxes, a weakness of this view might be the feeling that it doesn’t really say anything. We are effectively saying that God can do all things that God can do!
What does Alvin Platinga say about God?
He also argued, God may choose to limit his powers in certain circumstances in order to preserve human free will - divine limitation
What does Peter Geach say about God?
He notes that the word omnipotent comes from the Latin ‘omnipotens’. However, the new Testament was written in Greek and the word ‘Pantokrator’, which translates as ‘ Almighty’, was used to describe God. Geach argues that “Almighty” is best understood as a capacity for power, power over everything, rather than a power to do everything. This solves the paradoxes, as God does not have to intervene.
