The topic of omnipotence (the ability of God to do anything, i.e., God is all-powerful) is frequently cited by atheists as proof that the God of the Bible cannot exist. The claim has been made that if there is anything that God cannot do, then God cannot be omnipotent and, therefore, does not exist.
2007-08-04 05:01:45 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some of the arguments against omnipotence are plain silly and stupid. Can God create a spherical triangle? Saying that omnipotence requires the ability to do logically impossible things is stupid. God cannot turn truth into a lie. If humans define a triangle as a two dimensional object formed by the intersection of three lines, it makes no sense to ask if God could make one that was spherical. When one says that God is all-powerful, one means that God is able to accomplish all that He desires to do. Even an all-powerful being cannot do what is impossible by definition. God can do many things that are humanly impossible. However, there are some things that even an all-powerful being cannot do.
Can God create a rock He cannot lift? Since an all-powerful being will always be able to accomplish whatever He sets out to do, it is impossible for an all-powerful being to fail. The above atheistic argument is arguing that since God is all-powerful He can do anything - even fail. This is like saying that since God is all-powerful He can be not all-powerful. Obviously, this is absurd. An all-powerful being cannot fail. Therefore, God can create a rock of tremendous size, but, since He is all-powerful, He will always be able to lift it. The ability to fail is not a part of omnipotence.
Could God think of a time when He was not omnipotent? If He can't think of it, He isn't omnipotent, but if He does think of it then there was a time when He wasn't omnipotent? This question is quite similar to the rock question above. The answer, of course, is that God can never think of a time when He wasn't omnipotent. God has always been omnipotent. His inability to contradict His divine character does not mean that He isn't omnipotent.
2007-08-04 05:04:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The word "omnipotent" is never used in the Bible, but has been inferred primarily by one of God's Hebrew titles, "Shadday," which is most often translated "almighty."1 However, the Bible never claims that God can do all things. In fact, the Bible makes a point that there are things that God cannot do. The Bible says that God cannot commit sin.2 God cannot lie.3 Therefore, biblical omnipotence does not mean that God can do all things. God cannot do anything that is contrary to His holy character. However, God can do anything that He determines to do. This is a true meaning of omnipotence - the ability to do anything that one sets out to do.
2007-08-04 05:03:11 · answer #2 · answered by ♥Mігanԃa♥ 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's God, God can do anything and everything, period.
I would suspect if your a disbeliever then your thought would be that God doesn't exist, so God didn't create anything. So whats the question? Funny though if someone was to really use a couple of the brain cells they have in there head. Ask them a disbeliever this. Why is it that there doesn't seem to be any other "Earth's" out there that are close enough by so that we can know that we are not the "only" human beings" in this whole endless space? Isn't it kinda funny how some people believe that "All" of this and I mean all of it just happened to be created by a f*cking accident. Crap it's so right in front of people's faces......and they'll still question it. It's really pretty pathetic and pitiful.
2007-08-04 05:16:52 · answer #3 · answered by MLJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible does not present God as omnipotent. The Church Fathers frequently mention things that God cannot do.
2007-08-04 05:06:16 · answer #4 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The atheist distorts the biblical definition of omnipotence in order to "prove" that God cannot exist. Contrary to their claims, omnipotence does not include the ability to do things that are, by definition, impossible. Neither does omnipotence include the ability to fail. By defining omnipotence as requiring one to have the ability to fail, atheists have defined omnipotence as being impossible. Of course, an omnipotent God would never fail.
These kinds of arguments are clearly illogical and even silly, although they are commonly used by inexperienced atheists. Most intelligent atheists have dropped these kinds of arguments long ago.
2007-08-04 05:05:27 · answer #5 · answered by de0ndera w 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As you search for your faith, always trust your instincts, they will serve you well.
However, I really think we get too distracted by powerful words. Isn’t the real goal of humanity to understand how to better evolve?
So, can I be so bold to suggest that we might better serve ourselves by forget any religion hang-ups we might have and just ask ourselves - how would I like to be treated?
Now that we know our requirements and/or limitations, shouldn’t we just try treating people with the same level of respect, love, and understanding?
Besides, rather we can comprehend GOD’s omnipotence, or not, really has nothing to do with our responsibilities to each other.
As a Christian, I believe we should learn more about living a spiritual life than about arguing our faith better.
Just one man's opinion!
2007-08-04 05:27:26 · answer #6 · answered by Freeman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is the most powerful of all beings and can do anything that it is possible to do.
There are things God can't do. He can't make a contradiction true, therefore he can't lie, because he is what perfect holiness is; God can not make what is logically impossible possible, such as make a circle that is a triangle.
2007-08-04 05:11:14 · answer #7 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are lots of people who have self belief in God yet no longer interior the Bible--a minimum of they have not got self belief the Bible is 'inerrant'. The Deists have been theists, they believed in God, yet they did no longer have self belief in 'revelations' like the Bible. they did no longer have self belief that God presented revelations as to his nature. Even many Christians have not got self belief the Bible is genuine word-for-word. The Bible, and non secular doctrine, exist to fill the gaps in peoples' wisdom. some human beings love mysteries and questions, yet others basically would desire to have solutions, and the Bible components those. i'm extra a lover of poser. 8^) i like to contemplate concepts, to entertain opportunities, yet interior the tip I would desire to admit i do no longer comprehend, by using fact plenty is basically unknowable. i think of the Bible is effective to coach how human beings thought approximately issues in those days, and particularly to coach how little human nature has replaced in those kind of years, yet i do no longer think that's a definite revelation to believers. i think of it replaced into written to the appropriate of the authors' perception and information on the time.
2016-10-01 09:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, God is omnipotent if you read the bible you wil find out that he made the sky and the earth and everything you see around you. He got the power to do everything he wants and soon all the people wil see it.
2007-08-04 05:08:43 · answer #9 · answered by simone 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The answer depends on how one views omnipotence. If one means "able to do anything", no. However, if one means "having unlimited power to do anything that is logically possible", yes.
2007-08-04 05:10:13 · answer #10 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋