The Nature Of God Flashcards
What is omnipotence?
The idea that God can do anything. It means ‘all powerful’.
What are some ideas raised when philosophers and theologians debate about what it means to be all powerful?
- God can do anything, including the impossible
- God can only do the logically possible
- God as self imposed a limit to his omnipotence (as he is working within the limits of our universe)
How does Descartes view God’s omnipotence??
If it does not mean God can do absolutely anything, how could he perform miracles through Jesus? We don’t understand this due to our limited reason.
What does Anselm believe on God’s omnipotence?
Omnipotence means that God has unlimited power, and so God can have the power to lie, but he chooses not to.
How does Aquinas view God’s omnipotence?
God can only do what is logically possible and which does not lead to contradiction and thus cannot create a square circle, because it cannot exist.
God can only do what a perfect God can do, e.g cannot sin
How does Swinburne view God’s omnipotence?
Agrees with Aquinas. God being able to do everything has to be understood in context. A square circle is not a thing so god cannot make it.
What is the concept of self imposed limitation?
The idea that in creating a limited universe, God decided that he would only operate within the natural laws he created.
This means God would not do any logically impossible actions (square circle)
What issue does the concept of self imposed limitation raise?
Is God still worthy of worship if he cannot do everything?
Explain the concept of God being eternal
God created time and therefore is outside of time. Exists in all times
Supported by Boethius, Anselm and Aquinas.
Explain the concept of God being everlasting
God moves along the same timeline as we do, but always exists.
Which theologists support God as eternal?
Boethius, Anselm, and Aquinas.
Who developed the four dimensional approach to God and time?
Anselm
What is the four dimensional approach to God ans time?
- God is separate to time and space.
- Time is a dimension, while we are limited by time and space, God is not.
- God is present everywhere and everywhen
Why does Swinburne reject God as eternal?
A God who is present in all times is not a God that could have personal relationships with people, ans a God who cannot have relationships with their creation, is a God that does not love their creation
