God being Omnipotent is impossible.

[Greatest I am]

God being Omnipotent is impossible.

Main Entry: 1om·nip·o·tent
Pronunciation: \-tənt\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin omnipotent-, omnipotens, from omni- + potent-, potens potent
Date: 14th century
1 often capitalized : almighty 1
2 : having virtually unlimited authority or influence <an omnipotent ruler>

Think about the unlimited influence that God is said to have.
I submit that it is limited.

He could not influence Satan to not turn evil.
He could not influence the third of angels that followed Satan to remain faithful to Him.
He could not influence Adam and Eve away from eating of the tree of knowledge.
He could not influence those in the days of Sodom to reject their ways.
He could not influenced those of Noah’s day to believe in Him.
He has not influenced all or even half of mankind to believe that He is God.
He could not influence so many so often that to say that He is omnipotent becomes an attribute that God does not have and has never manifested.

Revelation 19:6
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Is it possible that God will only be omnipotent after His return?

Is it correct then to say that God has shown that He is NOT omnipotent from the very beginning of His interaction with sentient creatures?

If Not omnipotent then does that mean that God cannot do miracles, because, if He could, it would be a simple miracle indeed to change the attitude of those above who have been immune to His influence?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotence_paradox

Regards
DL

 

[Kyle B]

Free will.

 

[AnitaBeer]

Everyone has free will. He does not control us.

 

[Peter Parka]

If he created us though, we would be perfect, which we're clearly not. The way I see it there are 3 possible explanations -
1 - God isn't perfect or omnipotent
2 - God dosen't exist
3 - God is kind of an arsehole

 

[Greatest I am]

Free will.

God has no respect for man's free will. It is irrelevant to Him.

He ignored it enough times in the O T when He murdered humans by the millions.

They all had the free will to live. Especially the children and babies.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_709983&feature=iv&v=aUtSM2oVy_E

Regards
DL

 

[Greatest I am]

Everyone has free will. He does not control us.

That is what the thought at Sodom and at the great flood.

God showed hoe irrelevant it was.

Regards
DL

 

[Greatest I am]

If he created us though, we would be perfect, which we're clearly not. The way I see it there are 3 possible explanations -
1 - God isn't perfect or omnipotent
2 - God dosen't exist
3 - God is kind of an arsehole

You could be right on all three.

Regards
DL

 

[Kyle B]

That is what the thought at Sodom and at the great flood.

God showed hoe irrelevant it was.

Regards
DL

In society, you have free will to do whatever you please. However, you have to deal with the consequences of your actions.

Same concept.

 

[Minor Axis]

Omnipotence is all in the eye of the beholder especially when you are dealing with something you imagine has dominion over the you without being able to see, touch, or even communicate with it (by traditional methods).

I watched a show about a God appearing. It was on a StarTrek Next Gen- a civilization that was wracked with war for centuries until a God appeared who promised them peace for some long period of time. And then the God returned to be made ruler of the planet (or something along those lines. I did not have time to research a link for it.) The Enterprise shows up and they figure out it's just an alien with highly advanced technology. Imagine. Now imagine ancient man looking at the stars wondering who created them? Pretty easy to jump to conclusions.

 

[Greatest I am]

In society, you have free will to do whatever you please. However, you have to deal with the consequences of your actions.

Same concept.

Not the same at all.
We have a graduated system where the penalty fit's the crime.

God has on penalty that fits all sin and is as immoral as hell.

Regards
DL

 

[Dana]

Everyone has free will. He does not control us.

:homo:

 

[Minor Axis]

Everyone has free will. He does not control us.

I agree. If we don't have free will, then what is the point?

Free Will in Theology

In Christian theology, God is described as omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent; a notion which some people, Christians and non-Christians alike, believe implies that not only has God always known what choices individuals will make tomorrow, but has actually determined those choices. That is, they believe, by virtue of his foreknowledge he knows what will influence individual choices, and by virtue of his omnipotence he controls those factors. This becomes especially important for the doctrines relating to salvation and predestination.

Another train of thought I'll throw out for fun is that although God is omnipotant, he allows humans to have their autonomy, electing not to exercise those powers and allowing humans to make their choices. Something along the lines of setting up a simulation on Earth and letting it run without interference. Then he judges the choices we make.

 

[KimmyCharmeleon]

I would it's 'cause apparently we are made in the image of God, and we aren't perfect, so you know...

 

[BornReady]

Everyone has free will.

At least we like to think we do.

 

[itsmeJonB]

He can be anything he wants, actually. Fairy tales dont have to make sense

 

[cam elle toe]

I agree. If we don't have free will, then what is the point?

Free Will in Theology



Another train of thought I'll throw out for fun is that although God is omnipotant, he allows humans to have their autonomy, electing not to exercise those powers and allowing humans to make their choices. Something along the lines of setting up a simulation on Earth and letting it run without interference. Then he judges the choices we make.

I believe WE are our own judges on the other side. God is like a mediator/therapist, helping us see where we went wrong...then, giving us numerous chances to try again and sort it all out...just as a parent would do.

I guess thats why he's our Father. Planet Earth being the nurturing Mother.

 

[Minor Axis]

I believe WE are our own judges on the other side. God is like a mediator/therapist, helping us see where we went wrong...then, giving us numerous chances to try again and sort it all out...just as a parent would do.

I guess thats why he's our Father. Planet Earth being the nurturing Mother.

It's all an assumption, but I like your thinking.

 

[melody]

I am not sure of God being Omnipotent, but what I do believe is the idea of his infinite power is necessary.. For some reasons.. 1. Believing his existence deters some but not all immoral acts, because they fear having to answer to him or at least the idea of what he is.. 2. To help the weak have faith in something good and great when they have very little if any faith..

Does God exist? I can not say yay or nay.. for I have not met this mighty man I've read of as a child.. I actually do lean towards a yes, maybe because it was instilled into my childhood self..

No Mal intended.. Not to offend every if any one.. Just my thoughts.. It's nice to think and have a chance to debate such items as this with intellectual quality..

 

[Minor Axis]

I do believe is the idea of his infinite power is necessary.. For some reasons.. 1. Believing his existence deters some but not all immoral acts, because they fear having to answer to him or at least the idea of what he is.. 2. To help the weak have faith in something good and great when they have very little if any faith..

There are two ways to go here. If getting people to be "good" and feel better is the primary consideration, then this reasoning is valid. However if the intent is to see and understand the truth, then it could be pushing a morality based on fantasy. Based on what I know, which is little, it is better to live by a moral standard of doing the "right thing" versus a standard based on fear of punishment from an imagined authority, which is what faith is.

 

[Greatest I am]

I would it's 'cause apparently we are made in the image of God, and we aren't perfect, so you know...

When did you lose your initial perfection?

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Matthew 7:18
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

This logic trail says that you still are.

I call us evolving perfection.

Regards
DL