@divegeester
Yes let's be clear that God's version of God is in the revelation of the Bible.
The Bible contains God's version of God.
There may be some things difficult to understand. But He has revealed in the Scripture His version of who He is.
God is the reason that all things exist.
God is the source of all the universe and what is in it.
That is very "potent". That is omnipotent enough for me.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . . " (Gen. 1:1)
God is the ultimate reason why something exists rather then nothing.
@suzianne saidSurely an all-powerful deity has free will and could, if He/She chooses, be evil?
If even an all powerful God cannot be evil, then he is limited, and yet still all powerful.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidNo. It is utterly against God's will to be evil.
Surely an all-powerful deity has free will and could, if He/She chooses, be evil?
That being said, as we are all human, we are talking about man's perception and definition of evil. God's idea of evil is necessarily different.
@divegeester
No particular order is given to these samples of your arguments.
So let’s be clear, your version of god is not all powerful?
My point is a philosophical question to God; are you all powerful within this creation, or are you subjugated to it in some way?
The question itself points to the original obstacle of an omnipotent God. Surely?
No sovereign in fact.
Is your version of God omnipotent, sovereign, having full authority?
Christians; Is your version of God all powerful or limited? As sonship has claimed.
I would answer such a questions, to let the statements of Scripture have the priority. The words of Scripture have the most authority. The creeds of theology may be philosophically problematic. Ie. the omnipotence of God.
I feel Christians should finally just to leave it at how the Bible speaks of the matter of God's power.
Some people will demand - "Defend this particular creed and render it infallible."
I would say - "The creed may be theologically helpful but imperfect. I finally let the word of God speak the final thought as nourisher of our faith."
So "the omnipotence of God" as a theological creed is to me is secondary. I did not say it is not important. I merely said as a creedal formula it is secondary. What the Bible says as aimed at our faith is primary and final.
Challenges like
Defend the creed that God is omniscient, or
Defend the creed that God is omnipotent, or
Defend the creed that God is omnipresent?
Pressed to far I would just let the word of God speak as it speaks on these matters. I would let that word of revelation be the final informer and nourisher of my faith.
@suzianne saidThat was my point. Perhaps God isn't limited by our finite understanding of evil. In Japanese, they have two separate words to describe God, one His good side and one his evil side.
No. It is utterly against God's will to be evil.
That being said, as we are all human, we are talking about man's perception and definition of evil. God's idea of evil is necessarily different.
"Is anything too hard for Jehovah?" God asks Abraham (Gen 18:14).
So some debater challenges - "Christian, defend as infallible the theological creed that God is OMNIPOTENT !!"
My eventual answer - "Well, that may be hard to do philosophically with total rigor. However, it is good enough that we have this statement for our faith -
Indeed, I am Jehovah, the God of all flesh. Is anything too wonderful for Me?" (Jer. 32:27)
That is adequate for most of us believers in God. For the rigorous philosopher or academic or professional theologian, she may require more for intellectual argumentation's sake.