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In the realm of theological paradoxes, few questions have sparked as much debate and contemplation as the inquiry, “Can God create a stone too heavy for him to lift?” This conundrum delves into the very nature of God’s omnipotence and challenges the limits of human comprehension. While some argue that such a stone is an inherent contradiction, others propose that it serves as a thought experiment to explore the boundaries of divine power. Join us as we delve into this philosophical puzzle and attempt to unravel the mysteries of God’s omnipotence.

Explore the thought-provoking question of whether God can create a stone too heavy for him to lift. Delve into the realms of theology and philosophy to ponder the limits of divine power and the complexities of human comprehension. Join us on this intellectual journey as we unravel the paradoxes of God’s omnipotence.

This question may seem like a clever word game, but it is intended to challenge the concept of God’s omnipotence. The argument goes as follows: if God can create a stone that is too heavy for anyone to lift, then there is a task that God cannot do – lift any conceivable stone. On the other hand, if God can lift any stone, then there is another task that God cannot do – create a stone too heavy for Him to lift. This argument concludes that there cannot be an omnipotent God.

Challenging the Coherence of the Task

The most plausible and common response to this puzzle is to question the coherence of the task at hand. In order for someone to claim that there is something God cannot bring about, they must establish that it is a genuine possibility. It is not an imperfection to be unable to make concepts that are inherently contradictory, such as justice dancing with the number two. Concepts like justice and numbers are not the kind of things that can perform actions.

Logic and God’s Power

Does the above response elevate “logic” to a position above God? No, “logic” is not a tangible thing or force that restricts one’s actions. When we cannot do something contradictory, like creating a square circle, it is not because logic is limiting us. In this context, “logic” can be understood as the necessary conditions for there to be anything at all, including thought and language. In the New Testament, God the Son is referred to as the Logos, and some philosophers and theologians interpret this to mean that logic and reason are attributes of God’s nature.

The Scope of God’s Power

Addressing the more general problem that arises from the stone paradox, can the God of Christian theism commit suicide, tell lies, or do evil for its own sake? There are two possible replies to this. One is to argue that God can bring about any of these states of affairs but, because of God’s essential goodness, chooses not to do so. In this view, God remains omnipotent in the sense that He can bring about any state of affairs. The second reply questions the assumption behind the objection. Why should divine omnipotence be exclusively understood in terms of the extent of power? A classical Christian tradition, exemplified by thinkers like Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas, holds that God’s power is supremely good. Is the power to do evil for its own sake a worthy and good power? Arguably, God’s excellent power lies in the ability to do good, not evil. Exploring this concept of divine power leads us away from the apparent word game of the stone paradox and directs our attention to the nature of God’s excellence, which is worthy of worship.

Digging Deeper

Can God Create a Rock Too Heavy for Him to Lift? A Conservative Apologetic Perspective

When engaging in discussions with non-believers, it is common for them to rely on one-liners or memes to bolster their disbelief in an omnipotent God. However, these pithy statements do not hold up as valid arguments upon closer examination. One such example is the question that attempts to pit God against Himself: “Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it?”

Drawing Parallels with Jesus’ Encounter

This question reminds me of a situation where religious leaders sought to trap Jesus in a no-win scenario by asking whether taxes should be paid to the Romans. If Jesus answered yes, He would be seen as siding with Rome, which would anger the people who longed for their Messiah to overthrow the Romans. On the other hand, answering no would be considered treasonous. Jesus skillfully navigated this trap, as described in Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:21-25.

The Dilemma of the Christian Apologist

The Christian Apologist finds themselves in a similar predicament when faced with the question, “Can God create a rock so big He cannot lift it?” Responding with a yes would imply that there is something God cannot do, namely, lifting the rock. On the other hand, answering no also suggests a limitation on God’s abilities. In either case, it seems that the answer affirms a lack of omnipotence in God.

Understanding the Definition of Omnipotence

Critically, this attempt to stump the theist and diminish God’s infinite power stems from a misunderstanding of omnipotence. When Christians assert that “God can do anything,” it does not mean absolutely everything. The reference to God’s ability to do the impossible pertains to what is logically possible, not logically contradictory.

Inherent Limitations of Omnipotence

There are certain things that God, by virtue of being omnipotent, cannot do. For instance, if there were a rock He couldn’t lift, it would imply a finite strength and contradict His infinite power. However, an infinitely powerful being could create a rock of infinite size and weight and still be capable of moving it. God’s inability to create a rock too heavy for Him to lift arises precisely because of His infinite power.

Absurdity of the Riddle

This riddle is akin to questioning whether God’s infinite power can overpower itself, or if God can defeat Himself in a fistfight, or even if He can conceive a mathematical equation too complex for Him to solve. Such inquiries are sheer nonsense. C.S. Lewis aptly stated, “Nonsense is still nonsense even when we speak it about God.” Asking if an unlimited being can impose limitations upon Himself contradicts the very nature of unlimited power.

The Definition of Omnipotence

Omnipotence does not encompass the ability to accomplish the logically impossible, such as creating square circles, married bachelors, or one-ended sticks. God can do everything that is logically possible, which includes creating from nothing, making ax heads float in water, enabling animals to speak in human tongues, and causing a virgin to conceive. However, God cannot make something simultaneously exist and not exist, or make a woman both pregnant and not pregnant. Nowhere in the Bible does it claim that God can perform the logically impossible, as it contradicts the definition of omnipotence.

Other Limitations of God’s Power

Beyond the realm of logically impossible actions, there are other things God cannot do. He cannot commit sin or engage in evil acts because He is inherently sinless and holy. Scripture, such as Psalm 23:6, Psalm 25:8, Psalm 34:8, and 2 Corinthians 5:21, affirms His moral perfection. Titus 1:2 specifically states that it is impossible for God to lie. This incapability arises from the contradiction between lying and God’s morally perfect nature. Just as fire cannot cause things to freeze, God cannot engage in evil.

In conclusion, the riddle regarding God’s ability to create a rock too heavy for Him to lift fails to challenge the concept of omnipotence when understood correctly. God’s unlimited power precludes Him from creating limitations for Himself. Omnipotence refers to the ability to accomplish what is logically possible, not what is logically contradictory. Furthermore, God’s moral perfection prevents Him from engaging in sin or evil acts. By clarifying these theological aspects, we can better understand the limitations and scope of God’s omnipotence.

Paradoxes of Omnipotence

Omnipotence, the belief that God possesses unlimited power, raises certain paradoxes that challenge our understanding. This discussion will explore whether God’s omnipotence allows Him to act contrary to His own nature and if He can perform logical impossibilities.

Omnipotence and God’s Nature

God’s Limitations

God’s omnipotence does not mean He can act against His own nature. For example, it is inconceivable that God would engage in an activity as blasphemous as worshiping another God or committing adultery. These actions contradict His essence, which includes moral perfection and holiness.

Logical Impossibilities

Logical impossibilities are exempted from God’s omnipotence. For instance, the question of whether God can make a stone too heavy for Him to lift is a logical impossibility. If God could lift anything, it would mean He cannot create such a stone, creating a logical contradiction. Similarly, God cannot bring about contradictory situations like Jesus both dying on the cross and not dying on the cross. These logical impossibilities are not within the scope of omnipotence.

Non-Existence of Logical Impossibilities

Logical impossibilities are not real things but rather contradictory combinations of words. There is no such thing as a round square or a stone too heavy for God to lift. These impossibilities do not infringe upon God’s omnipotence.

Descartes’ Perspective

The French philosopher Rene Descartes is an exception to the general understanding of omnipotence. He believed that God could do what is logically impossible, such as bringing about married bachelors or four-sided triangles. However, Descartes’ perspective is not widely accepted.

The Unactualizable and God’s Power

Metaphysical Impossibilities

The unactualizable refers to something that is logically possible but cannot be realized. For example, it is logically possible for every person in the world to always choose to do the right thing, resulting in a sinless world. However, such a world may not be actualizable due to human freedom. Although individuals could freely choose the right thing, their cooperation cannot be guaranteed. God grants genuine freedom, and intervening to force them to do the right thing would eliminate their free will. Thus, unactualizable scenarios are beyond God’s ability.

Defining Omnipotence

To understand omnipotence, we should consider the ability to actualize states of affairs rather than specific tasks or quantities of power. A state of affairs refers to a possible way something might be. Being omnipotent means having the ability to bring about any logically possible state of affairs. This definition allows for the intuitive idea of being all-powerful without necessitating absurdities like worshiping other Gods or creating logical contradictions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, omnipotence should not be understood as the ability to act contrary to one’s nature or perform logical impossibilities. God’s omnipotence lies in His ability to bring about any state of affairs that is logically possible. This definition adequately captures the concept of being all-powerful while avoiding absurdities.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).