| Rock of God |
| Well I got an e-mail with a very well known question on it. The question is: "If God has unlimited power to create and unlimited power to lift, can God make a rock he can't lift?" I think I have a pretty good response to this question. It is: the question is faulty. In my opinion, a faulty Yes or No question is one in which Yes and No are both incorrect. In this case, if you responded no, you would be wrong, the question states that God has unlimited power to create. If you answered yes, you would also be wrong, the question states that God has unlimited power to lift. Hence, the question is faulty. What is my conclusion? It is simply this. A few years ago an Atheist Logician (a logic expert) asked this question to prove the lack of the existence of God. He knew that the question was faulty, and, therefore, as a paradox, should cease to exist, but he also knew that people have a tendency to try and answer every question, without checking the validity of the question itself. Thus he began the cancer of the question "Can God make a rock he can't lift?" that he hoped would consume society, and eliminate God from the existence of our minds. Though I just condemned this question, I know it was asked innocently, by one of my good (Christian) friends, in order to stump me. Just so he knows, I forgive him. Just a couple days ago I received another e-mail from another Christian friend who had heard this question before and, after a lengthy discussion between he and another one of my Christian friends, actually answered it. Their response was "no." Simply because there are somethings God can't do. They even made a short list, including (but not limited to) sin, be unjust, lie, and so on. I, however, disagree with this answer for two main reasons, first, as I presented the information given in the stating of the question makes the question logically unanswerable, and second, assuming I have a good understanding of theology, the theology behind the response is wrong. I would like to take a moment to quote Romans 11:33-36 from the New International Version: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? Gor from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Basically, these verses say, "How can God be explained? Why should he have to answer to you?" And that last question is the basis of my argument. I believe that God, like man, has the freedom of choice. If God chose to sin, he could sin. He is not bound by anything but his own character. Just like with us, it is possible for us to sin, and the only thing that prevents us from sinning is ourselves. God will not make it impossible for us to sin. Remember when Christ, who was God in the flesh, was being tempted by Satan? Jesus had to make a decision not to sin, and since Jesus, who was and is God, had to face this decision, so did God. Therefore, the "logic" behind the answer is theologically faulty. I'd like to close now with a quote from Job 11:7 Who can probe the limits of the Almighty? Note: After the post in my guestbook by Brian, I've realized that I no longer agree with my above statement regarding God's ability to sin. Now, I have a "God-based" definition of sin. (Sin is disobedience of the will of God.) Because God cannot violate His own will, it is impossible for him to sin. However, God may commit injustice as I define justice externally from God. |
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