Can God Do Anything?

[Mr. 5020]

I keep hearing the word "omnipotent" being used when referring to God, which I have no problem with.

The reason I bring this up is because certain atheists keep saying things along the line of, "If you're God is omnipotent, why didn't he....."

It reminds me of the classic question, "If God is omnipotent, can He create a rock so big that He can't lift it?"

The question is:  can God do anything?

Here is some scripture to consider:

Titus 1:2, Emphasis mine[/i]
in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began

2 Timothy 2:13, Emphasis mine[/i]
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

[ollie]

I keep hearing the word "omnipotent" being used when referring to God, which I have no problem with.

The reason I bring this up is because certain atheists keep saying things along the line of, "If you're God is omnipotent, why didn't he....."

It reminds me of the classic question, "If God is omnipotent, can He create a rock so big that He can't lift it?"

The question is:  can God do anything?

Here is some scripture to consider:

Titus 1:2, Emphasis mine[/i]
in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began

2 Timothy 2:13, Emphasis mine[/i]
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Hasn't He? What else should He do?  

[Mr. 5020]

I keep hearing the word "omnipotent" being used when referring to God, which I have no problem with.

The reason I bring this up is because certain atheists keep saying things along the line of, "If you're God is omnipotent, why didn't he....."

It reminds me of the classic question, "If God is omnipotent, can He create a rock so big that He can't lift it?"

The question is:  can God do anything?

Here is some scripture to consider:

Titus 1:2, Emphasis mine[/i]
in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began

2 Timothy 2:13, Emphasis mine[/i]
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Hasn't He? What else should He do?  

Um, my point must not have been made very well.  I'm asking if he is completely omnipotent (ie. can do absolutely anything, with no boundaries) or not.

[ebia]

The question "If God is omnipotent, can He create a rock so big that He can't lift it?" makes no sense in a logically consistent world.  Assuming God wishes His creation to be logically consistant, then His actions within it must be logically consistant.  If He acts in a way that creates paradoxes then His creation is no longer logically consistent.  (In which case, any sort of reasoning at all becomes meaningless.)

[Mr. 5020]

The question "If God is omnipotent, can He create a rock so big that He can't lift it?" makes no sense in a logically consistent world.  Assuming God wishes His creation to be logically consistant, then His actions within it must be logically consistant.  If He acts in a way that creates paradoxes then His creation is no longer logically consistent.  (In which case, any sort of reasoning at all becomes meaningless.)

This is true (and it sounded overwhelmingly intelligent at that), but it is not the point.  That question was just an illustration of the true question:  can God do anything (without boundaries)?

[ebia]

IMO, then, within creation God's actions must be consistent with the rules He has set for that creation.

Outside of creation: who knows what rules, if any, exist.

[Tibby]

Ha, the ol’ rock lifting competition. A sport Atheists and Deitists and have battle with for ages. If he can‘t make it, he can’t do everything, if he can’t lift it, he can’t be everything.

I think the problem doesn’t lay in the question, but in the mind of the asker. Thing about it. HE IS GOD! He is the frikin creator of the Universe, for crying out loud! He invented DNA, ball-and-socket joints, and Chlorophyll. Modern science cannot create something as beautiful and as simple as a living butterfly out of scratch, God can. This is the God that figured out where to put each muscle on our body so you could type. I don’t think it is possible to fit him in our little box.

He does what he chooses to do, and he doesn’t do what he chooses not to do. Yes, God is omnipotent.

Ebia, your problem lays in logic. Not your logic per say, just logic in general. You are trying to comprehend God is your small, human mind. This is GOD we are talking about, not one of your little friends, he isn’t human. Logic contradicts, it is a basic fact of logic. No one EVER said his creation has to be logically consistent.

[aw]

Yep, the old devil tried to tempt Jesus(who is God) to turn rocks into bread, just as difficult as creating one as large as the universe perhaps. The Lord's reply was to not tempt Him. It is a foolish test.

The scriptures themselves offer the only valid answer of His omnipotence and it is clear that He is.(Rev 19:6 is one that I have right now, but there are more.)

aw

[Petro]

Unbelievers, argue what is logical to them as being the truth, this is true if one lives by sight,

 and,

what they are unable to understand, because they see  not, they categories as illogical, as though this disproves the existence of the Creator.

It is just wishfull thinking....

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Isa 40:26

What more can be said...

ro

Pet

[aw]

There are some things that God cannot do because He has limited Himself in those areas. Omnipotence does not mean, as Petro stated, that God can do anything.

For example: He CANNOT lie, deny Himself, have respect of persons, and be tempted with evil- to name but a few.

aw

[ebia]

There are some things that God cannot do because He has limited Himself in those areas. Omnipotence does not mean, as Petro stated, that God can do anything.

For example: He CANNOT lie,

cannot, or chooses not to?  I think this is a bigger question than your off-the-cuff comment gives credit for.

deny Himself,

what would it mean for God to deny Himself?

have respect of persons,

this is a euphamism, so what exactly do you mean by it?

and be tempted with evil

that would be an ability of the tempter, not of God.

[ebia]

Ebia, your problem lays in logic. Not your logic per say, just logic in general. You are trying to comprehend God is your small, human mind. This is GOD we are talking about, not one of your little friends, he isn’t human. Logic contradicts, it is a basic fact of logic. No one EVER said his creation has to be logically consistent.

If creation isn't logically consistent, then there is no logic or reason.  In which case all debate or converstation is pointless.  We might as well assume, therefore, that creation is logically consistent.

[ollie]

Ha, the ol’ rock lifting competition. A sport Atheists and Deitists and have battle with for ages. If he can‘t make it, he can’t do everything, if he can’t lift it, he can’t be everything.

I think the problem doesn’t lay in the question, but in the mind of the asker. Thing about it. HE IS GOD! He is the frikin creator of the Universe, for crying out loud! He invented DNA, ball-and-socket joints, and Chlorophyll. Modern science cannot create something as beautiful and as simple as a living butterfly out of scratch, God can. This is the God that figured out where to put each muscle on our body so you could type. I don’t think it is possible to fit him in our little box.

He does what he chooses to do, and he doesn’t do what he chooses not to do. Yes, God is omnipotent.

Ebia, your problem lays in logic. Not your logic per say, just logic in general. You are trying to comprehend God is your small, human mind. This is GOD we are talking about, not one of your little friends, he isn’t human. Logic contradicts, it is a basic fact of logic. No one EVER said his creation has to be logically consistent.

He also moved the stone at the tomb.

God's ways are not man's!

[Mr. 5020]

what would it mean for God to deny Himself?

In the context of scripture, it means for Him to not be faithful.

that would be an ability of the tempter, not of God.

Actually, the Bible makes it clear that temptations are the result of our own desires.

He also moved the stone at the tomb.

God's ways are not man's!

We don't know who rolled the stone away, just that it was rolled away.

[aw]

ALL of man's wisdom is but foolishness to God. He is infinite and we are finite.

There are several things that God has chosen to reveal about Himself that He cannot do. This, in no way, limits His omnipotence, but actually explains it. Psalm 119 lists some and other scriptures can be consulted as well. In His commentary on Himself, He declares, for example, that: 1. He cannot break His own law (Ps 119), 2. judge the righteous with the wicked (Rev 20), 3. Lie (Heb 6), and be unrighteous (Rom 9:14).
aw