Can an omnipotent being create a task it can't do? I. Introduction to the Question Can an omnipotent being create a task it cannot accomplish? This question often takes the form “Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it?” or “Can God make a square circle?” Though seemingly straightforward, it touches on the nature of divine power, logic, and the coherence of God’s own attributes. This entry will address that question by examining the biblical understanding of omnipotence, philosophical considerations surrounding contradictory tasks, and scriptural examples that illuminate God’s nature. Citations are drawn from the Berean Standard Bible. II. Biblical Foundation of Omnipotence Scripture repeatedly affirms that God is all-powerful, declaring Him able to accomplish His decreed will without obstruction: • “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27) • “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) These verses reveal that “all things” fall under God’s power, but they do not imply absurdities or self-contradictions. Instead, they highlight God’s sovereignty over creation and history, showing that no external circumstance or power can thwart His will (Job 42:2). III. Understanding Omnipotence in Scripture Omnipotence in the biblical context means that God can do anything consistent with His character and will. When Scripture proclaims He can accomplish “all things,” it uses the language of total dominion rather than indicating He subsumes logical contradictions. Consider the following evidences: 1. God’s Power Over Nature: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper.” (Psalm 107:28–29) 2. God’s Power Over Life and Death: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43–44) and rose Himself from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). These acts show God’s sovereignty even over mortality. None of these passages imply that God performs contradictions; rather, they demonstrate the fullness of His reign in alignment with His divine character. IV. Philosophical Reflection on Contradictory Tasks The classic paradox “Can an omnipotent being create a task it cannot do?” involves self-contradictory premises. A “task that God cannot perform” assumes a contradiction in terms of infinite power. 1. Logical Consistency If God is the source of all rational order (Colossians 1:16–17), then creating something inherently absurd or logically impossible—like a square circle—stands against the very rational framework God established. A square circle violates the rules of geometry and definition. By definition, it is not an actual object but a contradiction of terms. 2. God’s Nature Attributes of God, such as truthfulness (Titus 1:2) and holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16), cannot be contradicted. Similarly, omnipotence does not include the capacity to contradict His nature or produce logical impossibilities. Thus, “all things are possible with God” should be understood within the sphere of rational coherence and His unchanging character. V. Examples from Scripture and Theology 1. Job’s Dialogue Job acknowledges God’s limitless power by declaring, “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) The phrase “all things” here must be read in the context of the entire book, which underscores both God’s wisdom and power as He governs the universe. There is no suggestion that God can defy the laws of logic or undermine His own nature. 2. Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane In Mark 14:36, Jesus prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.” Even here, Jesus submits to the Father’s will, not forcing a contradiction (such as completely negating the plan of salvation while simultaneously fulfilling it). The prayer clarifies that God’s will is supreme and internally consistent. 3. Paul’s Writings Paul reiterates that God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). While this is not an example of “creating a task He cannot do,” it underscores that “cannot” in relation to God refers to actions inconsistent with His nature. Because He is truth itself, He cannot violate truth. VI. Resolving the Paradox The question “Can an omnipotent Being create a task it can’t do?” rests on a misunderstanding of omnipotence. Omnipotence refers to God’s capacity to realize His will and accomplish anything consistent with His nature. It never suggests producing illogical or self-contradictory states of affairs: • Creating a task too great to accomplish implies a denial of God’s infinite power. • Asking for a logical contradiction (like a square circle) is to request a concept the definitions of which nullify each other. Christian thinkers through history, including Thomas Aquinas, have reasoned that “to be unable to do contradictions is not a limitation of God’s power but the result of God’s perfect rationality” (Summa Theologica, I.25.3). While Scripture does not specifically reference “a rock too heavy to lift,” it does affirm God’s nature as being without contradiction, thus safeguarding the coherence of His attributes. VII. Behavioral and Philosophical Considerations From a behavioral science perspective, contradictions often stem from improperly framed questions. When analyzing God’s omnipotence and potential tasks, one must remain anchored in consistent definitions: • Framing the Question: If someone asks, “Can God create a logically impossible scenario?” they are combining two irreconcilable ideas—God’s rational nature and the irrational nature of a “logically impossible scenario.” • Commitment to Consistency: Humans function best when they conform to reality. Scripture teaches that God designed humans with rational capacities (Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us reason together…”). Encouraging confusion by positing tasks that defy logic runs counter to the behavioral science of rational thought. VIII. Broader Implications of God’s Power 1. Confidence in God’s Promises Because God’s omnipotence is consistent with His holiness, believers can trust His promises (Hebrews 6:18). If contradictions were possible for Him, there could be no security in His covenants or redemption. 2. Rational Foundation for Faith God’s revelation through Scripture has a rational structure. Claims regarding the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) remain at the heart of the Christian faith precisely because the God who raised Jesus does not violate His own nature or the principles He established. 3. God’s Creative Power Biblical creation (Genesis 1:1) is the demonstration of God’s power within a coherent framework. From the ordering of galaxies to the coding within DNA—modern findings in science point to informational complexity best explained by an intelligent, all-powerful Creator rather than by a random, directionless process. This consistent creative power matches God’s revealed character, not a whimsical or contradictory approach. IX. Conclusion An omnipotent Being cannot, by nature, produce situations that violate logical consistency or oppose His own divine attributes. The scriptural language that “all things are possible with God” (Matthew 19:26) speaks to God’s superior power in real, coherent circumstances, not to the doing of nonsensical tasks. This resolution aligns with the biblical witness, philosophy, and rational thought. Rather than impugning God’s power, the supposed “paradox” clarifies how God’s omnipotence is wisely ordered. The believer can rest in a God who is infinitely powerful yet ever faithful to His nature—a God who is not threatened by illogical questions, but whose might and majesty remain steadfast. |
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