How powerful is God?

Question

It's popular and simple to say he's omnipotent ("all-powerful,") but I think it's pretty clear that's an oversimplification.

At the very least, there's the problem of evil. Things which are very obviously not good go on in the world, and for some reason or another, God doesn't stop them. So it's either because he can't (he's not powerful enough), or because he'd like to, but won't allow himself to (that is, he can limit his own power, and has done so).

That's at the very least. This isn't to mention that there are things that obviously aren't put together as well as they could be (weather disasters on the Earth, defects and inefficiencies in the human body, et cetera); it seems that God has not only the obvious limitations, but more.

What are God's limits?

Answer 1

God's power and his limits are all defined by the human measure; what I mean by this is that God, as a concept, a faith, an object of veneration, is as important to a person's life as they are willing to commit. This idea of God has been credited with changing lives, influencing world events, and dictating the conscience of man.

In all of these things, the hand of man is the necessary, less-than-divine component.

You see, a person may draw emotional comfort and support from the notion of a directing deity, and they may indeed change their life in a positive fashion, framed within the confines of religious belief, but the real change is wrought by themself. Even Christian doctrine teaches this, that God will not--cannot--work in an unwilling heart. This nicely obscures the reality, which is that a person is changing for themself, by themself, but expressed through the vehicle which is faith in God.

In the same fashion, world events are influenced by the idea of God, directed by man. It hardly needs to be stated that much of our history is devoted to wars, movements, politics, etc., all of which have as their motivator ideas and disagreements about the concept of God. Here again, the energy invested in belief of God has been made manifest in direct, too often destructive, action.

Finally, men harness their consciences to the idea of God, both because of a fundamental distrust of their own rationality, and also because of societal support for the same. Society by and large teaches that it is normal to believe in God, that God is a quality superior to man, and that God is an evidence of superiority transferred to man--if one believes.

In all of these things, the power of "God" is registered through mankind, and the attachment and passion of mankind to such belief. Man draws inspiration from the concept of God for actions both great and terrible, and refrains from the same actions for just the same reason.

An excellent question, my friend. :)

Answer 2

God's power has no limits, but He can limit himself in what He does. You mentioned evil. He could stop all the evil in the world with no problem, but He does not. It is part of our experience here on Earth to also experience temptations (evil things). He is also bound by certain laws, but He can also stretch those laws in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. He can do anything, following those laws, but to us it seems impossible. We may not know what the laws are, but He still has to follow them.

Answer 3

God creates limits He does not fall subject to them. Evil exists in the world because we chose it with our own free will. He allows this to test us and give us choice. Natural disasters are just that natural, and some could argue normal reactions from the planet.

Those whom believe in God know that the world, people and circumstances in it are not perfect because of the orginal fall of man from God.

Answer 4

I think far too many people have the wrong conception of God's power as being something along the lines of magic. It doesn't work that way. The presence of evil in the world is not problematic to God's power in the sense that it thrwarts Him or limits Him in any way. As it was written once, God's power is made manifest in weakness and chaos. Christ didn't come to the nation of Israel as the Glorious Arrayed King they assumed He would; He came instead clothed in humility and shepherds clothing. God's power seems to us flawed because it doesn't manifest itself in the manner we think it should. Secretly, I think all of us would love to see fire and brimstone rained down on our enemies in a cosmic explosion of sight and sound as evidence of God's power.


Personally, I'm glad no such things actually happen in this manner. They do happen: just in a way completely unexpected by us. People see what they tend to expect to see. That is the real illusion- not any evidence of God's lack of power.

Answer 5

God is long suffering and he does not desire that any should perish. But his patient wears thin with this sinful generation.

The same God that destroyed the world in the Flood and the same God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah is the same God that the world is mocking and making fun of. Just wait I believe that this world is going to see who God is before too much longer.

Answer 6

You haven't done your homework. If you had, you would know that God is sovereign and can do as He pleases. Your judgments about what God does or doesn't do are of no value, considering the perfection of God's plan and purpose. Are you trying to address the subject of God on an intellectual level? If so, you are out of your league.,

Answer 7

no no no god is the high and almighty powerful god thats where people get it twisted he chooses to let sin go on cause he gives us chooses what we decide to do is up to us he will neva leave nor forsake us and all the sin in this crazy world is because of us he lets other things happen fo ra reason no one really knows those reasons but the lord only works in misterious ways hes always on time

Answer 8

God does not have limits and because of sin that entered the world physical and spiritual death came into the world and also pain and suffering came.

Answer 9

faith in God is crucial factor. whilst i wanted God the main whilst situations for me have been particularly undesirable God replied my prayers. whilst My kinfolk replace into scuffling with and abusing me God have been given me out of that situation and right into a lots extra suited place. i'm now married and that i consistently wanted a splash female. I prayed and that i replace into sent a perfect little female. God is astounding, in case you call and pray for Jesus and your in prefer of help, he listens to each prayer.

Answer 10

What you just said leads me to say this:

If God is perfect, why would he create something so imperfect such as us Humans?

I myself am looking for the truth. I will always look for it. I may not never find it but it will reveal itself to me when I look at death in the face.