2007-02-27 15:48:57 · 19 answers · asked by Amelie 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Yes and no: here's why. If we assume God follows his own rules, then no, God cannot create a rock so heavy he cannot lift it. God has rules for our universe. We have labeled two of these rules physics and logic. These are the two primary rules that an unliftable rock would break. God cannot violate his own rules, thus he cannot violate the laws of physics and logic. An impossibly heavy rock would violate both. Thus, God cannot create an impossibly heavy rock because he has bound himself voluntarily to certain rules.
There is also the possibility that the answer is yes, if we assume God does not follow the rules of physics. Basically, this answer is "yes, God can create a rock so heavy that he can't lift it. Then he'll lift it anyway." I know this violates both logic and physics, but if we agree that God isn't subject to the rules of the universe, we can agree that he can violate these rules. If he can violate these rules, he can do anything he wants because there are no rules! This includes doing the impossible.
Also, the term for what you're talking about is the omnipotence paradox. It's very interesting, take a look at it. Really intelligent people have spent all sorts of time arguing over it.
2007-02-27 17:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by NihilisticMystic 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Can God make a rock so big that He can’t lift?
Even this loaded, nonsensical question with its curricular, no win argument has a rather elegant answer. But first let’s look at the point they are trying to make: If God can make rock so big that He cannot lift it, then He is not God because He cannot lift the rock. But if He can lift it, then He is not God because He cannot make a rock big enough.
God can’t win this one, or can He? Since this is a hypothetical question and God is not into performing circus tricks to entertain a whim, then the answer can only ever be hypothetical.
So, how big is big?
How about a rock as big as a car or even a house? Well I don’t reckon that God would have a problem with making or lifting either of them. How about as big as block of flats, skyscraper? Not a problem. How about a rock as big as a small town, or even a city, or maybe even a country, how about as big as the earth? Well God made the earth and put it in to motion around the sun so he's actually done that one.
We've got to go bigger! How about as big as the solar system? Well God made the galaxies and put them into motion too. So even a rock the size of a galaxy should not be a problem. However, a rock of that size would collapse in on itself to form a giant black hole so God may have to change a few of the laws of physics.
Well how about making a rock the size of universe: infinity to infinity. Yes I am quite sure that God could do that if He wanted too. Imagine that, a single rock of infinite size, stretching to infinity in every direction, the whole universe one giant never ending rock. Only problem is that if this rock was infinite there would be nothing else except for this rock, so there would be no place to lift the rock from.
So the answer to the question:
Yes, God could make a rock infinitely big that would fill all of space. But if He did this, there would be no place to lift the rock from. So how about that, God is still God. This is because the question was flawed and did not take into consideration infinity.
About those other questions:
There are a lot of questions like that out there, some of them could be answered much like this one, but there some that can’t because most of these questions are loaded and/or intrinsically impossible.
By loaded I mean a question like: “Do you still have that problem with Kleptomania?”
The question is loaded because if you answer “no”, then it was a problem you once had, and if you answer “yes” then it is a problem you still have.
Intrinsically impossible question is one like: “Can you make a square circle?” The question is intrinsically impossible and self-contradictory.
C.S. Lewis stated:
His (God’s) Omnipotence means power to do all that is intrinsically possible, not to do the intrinsically impossible. You may attribute miracles to Him, but not nonsense. . . It remains true that all things are possible with God: the intrinsic impossibilities are not things but nonentities . . . nonsense remains nonsense even when we talk it about God (Problem of Pain, 18).
There are other examples of impossibilities for an Omnipotent God: “it is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18) Lying like sinning is against God’s nature and because God is good, it is intrinsically impossible for God to lie.
So, the next time someone tries to undo you with one of these silly little questions or statements, have fun dismantle it. Take your time and think your way through it properly, and if you cannot see through it straight away, tell them that you will get back to them. Have fun.
2014-08-07 02:31:46 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The idea of a rock that is so big that it cannot be lifted by One who can lift anything is a logical contradiction. God can create a rock of any size. God can lift a rock of any size.
And if you really want to press the issue and say that God must be able to do the impossible if he is all powerful, then we can say, yes. God can create a rock so big that he can't lift it. But, if you think you have me, think again. Because not only can God create such a rock, but he can also lift it. But, you'll say, that's impossible. Yes, but if God can do the impossible...
2007-02-27 15:57:50 · answer #3 · answered by Steve 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes. God can do anything He wants to do; but He is not an a dummy.
Side note: There was a rock laid over the tomb of Jesus after he was crucified. If ever a rock did exist that God could not lift, it would be this one. Death is a very final, immovable thingl. But that rock was rolled away! If God's power is great enough to ressurect a body of death, and glorify it, and ascend into eternity with it, then God absolutely is omnipotent. What hope this gives all who trust in Him for their salvation.
Hey! God Bless.
2007-02-27 16:05:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If God exists, he can create a rock so big there's nothing for it to be lifted from.
2007-02-27 15:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by U Betcha 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hello. Just in case you don't know, God is ALL powerful, ALL sufficient, ALL knowing, and so therefore He has far, far, far more than enough power to handle it. God would not even have to lift it, for He could speak His word to it and the rock would immediately fulfill His will! It is upon a rock (of revelation) that He will build His church and the gates (not even the gates) of hell will be able to stand against it. It is on Christ the SOLID ROCK we can stand and have hope in this life! He is limitless, and even His weakness is stronger than men. Check that out!
2007-02-27 16:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
stupid question that gets repeated right here plenty. God operates in basic terms interior of His character that's stable and Holy and in simple terms. this is not any longer His character to create the rock so enormous that He can't raise it. I guess He could desire to yet He does what He needs and His is the great i'm. God in no way fails. aside from God's common of stable and evil, we are left with human comments approximately it
2016-10-02 02:34:18 · answer #7 · answered by launer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God will not create a rock that he cannot handle. I am sure about that. Always the rock will outgrow the very purpose of its creation.
2007-02-27 17:00:54 · answer #8 · answered by cheng 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is one rock which God cannot lift. that is the rock of human's sinful acts which is not created by him.
2007-02-27 16:17:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are talking about a rock He has created the mountains.
2007-02-27 16:42:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋