I had a question thrown at me recently that I'd like to know how you'd respond to if asked. So here goes: It is a popular Christian belief that God can achieve the impossible, right? (That wasn't the question.) If it is true that He can achieve the impossible, then could He create a stone that He could not lift? If this subject has come up previously, I apologize.
Sometimes the only way to answer a question is with a question. If you could, would you? Seriously, I'm in the physical, as we all are, and I wouldn't even think of doing something like that. Would God? (my way of not trying to get too deep into my perception of God's mindset) RR
Which is why man, with our logical brains can not fully comprehend God. I mean everything for us is finite, therefore it is very hard to fathom a universe that is infinite in size. DaDakota
And if a tree fell in the forest and there was no one to hear it would it make a sound. Yeah thats a real good question
I don't find this to be all that difficult a question, really. Given the premise, with a minor clarification, I would say the answer is fairly straightforward. By "achieve the impossible" I assume we are talking about achievements that are impossible for humans. I read the question as essentially this, then. "Given that it is a popular Christian belief that God can achieve things that are impossible to humans, could He create a stone that He could not lift?" The answer, I would say, is no. Saying God can do some things that are impossible to man does not suggest that God can do all things that are impossible. (This solves the problem dealing with logical impossibilities like, "Could God pass an elephant through a keyhole without changing the size of the elephant or the keyhole.") Carrying on, since it is also a common Christian belief that God created and shaped the earth and all matter simply by his command, he could not create matter that he could not "lift" with a command. Therefore, God could not create a stone He could not lift.
Here's a question: If a man says something, and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
Paradoxes are fun. There is at least one monkey that grooms all monkeys that do not groom themselves. Sorry, not a question... but still interesting (called Russell's Paradox - the creation of a set that only includes items doesn't belong to a set)
Which leads to the great racket that god has. When good things happen it's because god caused them and wanted them. When bad things happen it's because men are bad and evil. God therefore has no accountability. Cushy job...
IF you believe that there is a God, then what would lead you to believe that that God "should" be in any way held accountable for anything? if you draw a picture, are you accountable to that picture? should you be? and if so, where does that moral frame of reference come from? God? being likened to a drawn picture is not flattering, I know. but IF we agree that there is a God, would we have any more right to question He/She than would a picture you or I would draw? again, where would that right come from?
I agree there is no inate reason that "god" should be held accountable. However the popular Christian belief is that God is good and just, loves every, and is omnipotent. Even more than that is the command to worship and adore God. Given the expectation of worship and the idea of a just and loving God I think there is every reason to expect accountability.
The same reason you're free to ask the question. Like mc mark said, free will, the greatest gift to the physical. dylan, man, don't perceive God by the religions, judge by the goodness of spirituality, the goodness you find in your heart, not the ego of the mind. RR
oooh, ooh I have another dumb one: If God is perfect then why did he create earth, man, animals, etc?
Very interesting insights. Thanks! I knew I'd learn something here...I haven't considered the "what's perceived as impossible for a finite creation (us) is certainly possible with an infinite God" slant. Again, interesting! My response to the question was that the only limitation (or impossibilities) with God would be Himself. For instance, He couldn't possibly create a being greater than Himself. He is what He is....I think!!! To address the Free Will responses, you know, I've always had a problem dealing with this issue. I believe that we were born with it, but I'm uncertain why it is necessary.
