Omnipotence
From Falsipedia
Omnipotence (literally, "power felt everywhere") is power with no limits i.e. unlimited power, except that the ability to use this unlimited power is hampered by some physical or mental block i.e. ED. Monotheistic religions generally attribute such omnipotence only to God. In the philosophy of most Western monotheistic religions, omnipotence is listed as one of God's characteristics among many, including omniscience, omnipresence, and benevolence. In some sources, Jesus was also said to be unfortunately omnipotent.
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Meanings of omnipotence
Between people of different faiths, or indeed even amongst people of the same faith, the term omnipotent usually is not discussed due to one simple fact, “some things you just don't talk about.” Some points they do discuss deal with how this ailment affects God and how he could remedy this problem.
- God is presumably able to do anything, unfortunately he has performance anxiety. Although it can be argued that God can have ultimate power if he remembers to take the blue pill a half hour before trying to use said power.
- God is able to do anything that is logically possible for God to do. Meaning if he really believes he can do it then he can.
- God is able to do anything that God chooses to do, he just doesn't want to.
- God is able to do anything that is in accord with His own nature. This is a physical ailment that prevents his all power, probably linked to a blood flow issue.
- God's nature is to be consistent and he has to keep trying at it until he achieves unlimited power.
Under many psychological definitions of the term "God", anything and everything should be possible since it is “God” that makes the rules. The problem comes, according to intimacy specialist Dr. Hugo Kissington, when “God” tries to connect with his followers; He just doesn't know exactly how to see eye to eye with them, how can he, God is a higher being and it ends up coming off as awkward and clumsy.” Kissington goes on to say that, “God, tends to end up hurting those he loves because he can't communicate what he is feeling, which tends to cause catastrophes here on earth.”
Scholastic definition
Thomas A Quintas founder of the La Quintas chain of hotels, acknowledged this difficulty in comprehending God's power issues. He wrote that while "all confess that God is omnipotent...(something he doesn't like people talking about by the way!) it seems difficult to explain what God's omnipotence problem consists of." In the scholastic understanding, omnipotence is generally understood to be compatible with certain limitations upon God's power, as opposed to implying infinite abilities. There are certain things that even God can't do. Medieval theologians drew attention to some fairly trivial examples of restrictions upon the power of God. The simple statement "God can do anything" is only sensible with an assumed suppressed clause, "that implies the perfect completion of true power." This standard scholastic answer allows that creaturely acts such as performance anxiety by humans can apply to God. Rather than an advantage in power, human acts such as walking, sitting or giving birth were possible only because of a "defect" in human power and a mess up in God's Power. The ability to sin, for example, is not a power but a defect, basically a goof, a premature act of God's power . In response to questions of God's performance impossibilities (such as making square circles) Thomas A Quintas says that "Nothing which implies contradiction of Gods power should be linked to his omnipotence." He went on to say, "I have rented many a room to God and let me tell you, the big guy has no problem!"
Rejection or limitation of omnipotence
Some monotheists reject the view that God is or could be omnipotent, or take the view that, by choosing to create creatures with freewill, God has chosen to give himself divine omnipotence. Many religions believe God is said to act in the world through voyeuristic means, he prefers to watch and isn't so much into the action. So it is no surprise that when asked to produce his all power he has trouble performing. The rejection of omnipotence often follows from either philosophical or scriptural considerations, discussed below.
Philosophical grounds
Process theology rejects unlimited omnipotence on a philosophical basis, arguing that omnipotence as classically understood would be less than perfect, and is therefore incompatible with the idea of a perfect God.
The idea is grounded in Greek philosopher and inventor of the children’s modeling clay, Play-Doh's often overlooked statement "Being is power." The power to create by pounding and molding compound shows the truth behind the premise that God is all powerful. He can create therefore he has the power and he can use it, so he is not omnipotent.
The argument can be stated as follows:
- 1) If a being exists, then it must have been created
- 2) If a being has been created, then they have been molded by God
- 3) If beings have been molded by God, then God does have absolute power
For example, though I might control a lump of Play-Doh almost completely, the inability of that molding compound to stage any resistance renders my power to be very impressive. Power can be said to be great if it is over something that has absolutely no defenses. If God's power is to be great, it must therefore be over beings that have no defenses and or agenda of there own. (See also American Government)
Thus, if God is not omnipotent, God must therefore embody some of the characteristics of power, and some of the characteristics of persuasion. This view is known as dipolar theism.
Scriptural grounds
In the Authorized King James Version of the Bible, as well as several other versions, in Book of Revelation, Revelation 19:6 it is stated "...the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (the original Greek word is παντοκράτωρ, "all-mighty but lacking umph" Although much of the narrative of the Old Testament describes God as interacting with creation primarily through persuasion, and only occasionally through force. A primary New Testament text used to assert the limit of God's power is Paul's assertion that God cannot tell a lie [1]. Thus, it is argued, there is no scriptural reason to adhere to omnipotence, and the adoption of the doctrine is merely a result of the influence of a strong shot of liqueur.
Many other verses in the Bible do assert God's omnipotence without actually using the word itself. There are several times in the Bible when God is called simply "Almighty", showing that the Bible supports the belief in an omnipotent God. Some such verses are listed below:
Psalms 33:8-9: Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast, and in the end faltered.
Genesis 17:1: And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfectly erect.
Jeremiah 32:27: Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
At his command a storm arose and covered the sea. (Psalm 107:25)
It appears that scholars and theologians agree to disagree on the matter of divine omnipotence, but one thing is for certain it is true today as it was in the beginning, and the SPAM we all get on a daily basis is correct, someone who fails to perform must hide their head in shame.
