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Can God Create a Stone Too Heavy for Him to Lift?

Understanding the Nature of Omnipotence


The question, "Can God create a stone too heavy for Him to lift?" is often presented as a paradox intended to challenge the coherence of the concept of omnipotence. At first glance, this question appears to expose a logical inconsistency within the attributes of an all-powerful God. If God can create such a stone, He would be unable to lift it, thus negating His omnipotence. Conversely, if He cannot create the stone, He is not omnipotent because there is something He cannot do. To resolve this, we must first understand the nature of omnipotence from a biblical perspective.



The Nature of God's Power


The Bible describes God as omnipotent, meaning all-powerful. This attribute is evident in numerous Scriptures, such as Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah, Lord Jehovah! You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Similarly, Job 42:2 declares, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."


These verses affirm that God's power is limitless. However, this does not imply that God can perform logical contradictions. The question about the stone falls into the category of logical impossibilities, akin to asking if God can create a square circle. Such tasks are not real tasks at all; they are nonsensical and self-contradictory. Omnipotence does not include the ability to do the logically impossible.


The Law of Noncontradiction


The resolution to this paradox lies in understanding the law of noncontradiction, which states that contradictory statements cannot both be true in the same sense at the same time. This principle is foundational to logic and rational discourse. For example, a statement like "A is not A" is inherently contradictory and thus meaningless.


God, being the source of all truth and logic, operates consistently with His own nature. As Hebrews 6:18 states, "It is impossible for God to lie." This does not indicate a limitation of His power but rather a reflection of His perfect nature. Similarly, 2 Timothy 2:13 declares, "He cannot deny himself." These verses illustrate that God’s actions are always consistent with His character.



The Logical Consistency of God's Nature


The concept of omnipotence in classical Christian theology includes the notion that God’s power is not arbitrary but aligned with His nature. Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas emphasized that God's omnipotence does not entail the ability to perform contradictions. Instead, His omnipotence means He can do all things that are possible according to His nature and logic.


For instance, God cannot lie, as mentioned in Titus 1:2, because lying contradicts His nature of truthfulness. Similarly, God cannot cease to exist, as He is eternal (Psalm 90:2). These "limitations" are not true limitations but affirmations of God's consistent and unchanging nature.



The Paradox of Evil and Omnipotence


The question also raises broader issues about God’s ability to do things that contradict His moral nature, such as committing evil acts. Scripture is clear that God cannot commit sin or do evil. James 1:13 states, "For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one." This affirms that God’s omnipotence is always exercised in harmony with His moral perfection.



Divine Omnipotence and Goodness


Classical theologians argue that true omnipotence must be understood in the context of God's supreme goodness. God's power is not just the ability to do anything but the ability to do all things that are consistent with His nature. Therefore, the "power" to do evil is not a true power but a deficiency. God's omnipotence is the power to do good, and His inability to do evil is a reflection of His perfect and unblemished nature.


The Role of Logic and Reason in Understanding God


Logic and reason are not external constraints on God but are aspects of His divine nature. John 1:1 refers to Jesus as the "Logos," often translated as "the Word," which also means reason or logic. This identification suggests that logic and rationality are inherent in God’s nature. Therefore, when we say that God cannot do the logically impossible, we are not imposing an external standard on Him but recognizing that God’s actions are always coherent with His rational nature.



Conclusion: The Excellence of God's Nature


The question of whether God can create a stone too heavy for Him to lift is ultimately a misunderstanding of divine omnipotence. God's power is not arbitrary or contradictory. It is the power to do all things that are consistent with His nature and character. This understanding leads us to appreciate the excellence of God's nature, which is worthy of worship and reverence. God's omnipotence is not diminished by His inability to perform logical contradictions; rather, it is affirmed by His perfect consistency and rationality.

By framing omnipotence in this way, we move beyond the superficial word game of the stone paradox and deepen our understanding of the nature of God's power and goodness.


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).


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