Qualities of God (Omnipotence) Flashcards
C.S. Lewis Quote
“meaningless combinations of words do not suddenly acquire a meaning because we prefix to them two other words ‘God can”
Anthony Kenny Quote
“consisting in the possession of all logically possible powers which it is logically possible for a being with the attributes of God to have”
What did Anselm and Descartes believe?
Anselm and Descartes have this view of God when they formed their ontological arguments – that God is ‘that than which nothing greater can be conceived’ and that he has all of the perfections including power.
What did Plantagina argue?
argued that an omnipotent being may not have omnipotence as a necessary quality. He may choose to limit his powers in certain circumstances to preserve human free will.
What did Aquinas believe?
Aquinas argued that God is completely omnipotent and in charge of the whole world – “he can do everything that is absolutely possible” because eg. he does not have a body and therefore cannot swim, but this should not limit his omnipotence. If this is the case then God cannot do anything which is inconsistent with his character because that would imply contradiction. God is perfectly good so therefore, he cannot do evil.
Where is there evidence in the Bible of God’s omnipotence?
- Creation of the universe
- Parting of the Red Sea
- Abraham & Sarah
- Jesus’ Miracles
- Jesus declares God’s omnipotence
- Resurrection
Where is there evidence in the Bible of God’s omnipotence?
- Creation of the universe
- Parting of the Red Sea
- Abraham & Sarah
- Jesus’ Miracles
- Jesus declares God’s omnipotence
- Resurrection
What does Vardy argue?
Peter Vardy suggests God’s omnipotence is much more limited than Christians have traditionally believed… he’s not in control & his ability to act is limited. However, God chose to do it this way so that the universe is finely tuned and suited to the existence of free, rational humans. In order for it to remain like this, God had to limit his omnipotence. It’s still right to call God omnipotent, because nothing limits his power except his own choices.
