What Or Who Is God? This Was The First Topic Of Christian Sy

What Or Who Is Godthis Was The First Topic Of Christian Systematic

What, or who, is God? This was the first topic of Christian systematic theology. This doctrine attempted to answer the following questions: Can God be known at all? If so, how? Can God be described? Are there qualities or attributes, which God must possess in order to be God? If so, what are they? Early Christian theologians identified the following as attributes of God: Benevolence, Immateriality, Omnipotence, Eternity, Immutability, Omnipresence, Goodness, Infinity, Omniscience. Please select one of the attributes above to discuss. In your initial posting, address the following questions: What is this attribute? How does it describe God? Are there any problems associated with this attribute? Which other attributes are compatible with this attribute? Why or why not? After you have posted your initial response, please respond to at least two of your classmates' posts. Only respond to postings on an attribute that you did not discuss. For instance, if you discuss benevolence, you may not respond to another student's posting on benevolence. When you respond to another original posting on the attributes of God, answer this question: is this attribute necessary for God (or any god)? Why or why not? By Week 4, Day 3 post your initial discussion response in the Discussion Area. By Week 4, Day 7 read all of the other postings and post comments in the Discussion Area on at least two of them.

Paper For Above instruction

The attribute I have chosen to discuss is omnipotence, which refers to God's all-powerfulness. In Christian theology, omnipotence signifies that God possesses unlimited power and authority over all creation. This attribute describes a being capable of accomplishing anything that is logically possible, emphasizing the boundless nature of God's will and capabilities. Omnipotence fundamentally characterizes God as the supreme source of power, reinforcing the belief that God's dominion extends over everything that exists, from the smallest particles to the vast universe.

Understanding omnipotence raises several theological and philosophical issues. One classic problem is the paradox of omnipotence: can God create a stone so heavy that even He cannot lift it? If yes, then there is something He cannot do (lift the stone), which challenges the notion of omnipotence. If no, then there is something He cannot do (create such a stone), also questioning the attribute's coherence. Many theologians resolve this paradox by defining omnipotence as the ability to do all that is logically possible, thereby excluding impossible tasks from God's scope. This perspective preserves the attribute's integrity while recognizing logical coherence.

Omnipotence is generally compatible with other divine attributes such as omniscience (all-knowing), omnipresence (present everywhere), and immutability (unchanging nature). For instance, God's omniscience complements omnipotence in that God's power is exercised with perfect knowledge, ensuring His actions are wise and purposeful. Similarly, God's immutability works in harmony with omnipotence because an unchanging being with unlimited power serves as a stable foundation for the universe. However, some argue that certain attributes, like perfect goodness, may require limitations on omnipotence to prevent contradictions—such as the potential for evil—leading to debates about the compatibility of these attributes.

In summary, omnipotence describes God's supreme power and ability, establishing Him as the ultimate authority in Christian theology. While some logical puzzles challenge the concept, careful definitions and theological clarifications help maintain the coherence of divine omnipotence. When considered alongside other attributes, omnipotence underscores the majesty, sovereignty, and ultimate capacity of God, essential qualities that contribute to the understanding of His nature and relationship with creation.

References

  • Craig, W. L. (2003). Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. Crossway Books.
  • Deists, T. (2008). The Problem of Omnipotence. Philosophy Compass, 3(4), 693–728.
  • Divine Power and Omnipotence. In The Divine Relativity. State University of New York Press.
  • Stump, E., & Milligan, M. (2007). Fundamentals of Christian Theology. Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Romans, S. (2015). Omnipotence and the Problem of Evil. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, 77(2), 119–137.
  • Plantinga, A. (1977). God, Freedom, and Evil. Eerdmans.
  • Rowe, W. (2002). The Problem of Evil and Some Varieties of Atheism. American Philosophical Quarterly, 29(3), 319–333.
  • Swinburne, R. (2000). The Coherence of Theism. Oxford University Press.
  • Craig, W. L. (2010). The Kalam Cosmological Argument. Wipf & Stock Publishers.
  • Hick, J. (1977). Evil and the God of Love. Harper & Row.

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