Attributes of God

Attributes of God

Assess the claim that the universe provides no evidence for the existence of an omnipotent God (35)
To describe God as omnipotent is to say that he is all-powerful. Nothing is beyond his power. In Genesis 1 and 2 God creates the universe from nothing. However there are some uncertainties about God’s omnipotent and if the universe does provide evidence for his existence. Scholars such as Aquinas and Descartes try to argue in favour of an omnipotent God.
There are three definitions of an omnipotent God that need to be considered before we decide if the universe provides evidence for an omnipotent God. The first definition is: ‘God has the ability to do absolutely everything, including the logically impossible’. This definition is mirrored in the bible in Matthew 19:26 – “With God all things are possible”. Descartes argues that we have no idea what is and isn’t possible for God to do so we can’t lay down limitations to his omnipotence. God would not have absolute power if he had to conform to laws. However if he could do the logically impossible then surely he wouldn’t be praiseworthy as he would be fundamentally evil e.g. he could lie and deceive. God could have created humans who always freely choose the good but he didn’t so he is malevolent.
The second definition is: ‘God has the ability to do whatever is logically possible’. This definition (that is held by Aquinas) takes away the contradictions of God being able to do the logically impossible. But critics would ask the question “Can God ride a bike?” If he can then there is no distinction between us and God. Also God doesn’t have the physical necessary form to carry out the logically possible. Aquinas says that sin is an act and God should be able to perform every single act. But if he sins then he isn’t omnipotent. He goes on to argue that God’s inability to sin is a consequence of, rather than a limitation of his omnipotence. Pike argues that ‘God’ is a title given to an individual who necessarily acts...

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