The Paradox of Omnipotence: What Can an Omnipotent Being Truly Do?

Omnipotence is a concept that resonates deeply within theological, philosophical, and even scientific communities. By definition, an omnipotent being is one who has absolute power. Is this absolute power truly boundless, or are there limits even to the capabilities of an omnipotent entity?

Omnipotence in Scripture

The Bible offers insights into the concept of an omnipotent being. For instance, in Luke 1:37[1], it reads: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” This verse is often cited to affirm the limitless capabilities of God. Conversely, Genesis 1:1[2] introduces the idea of creation, stating, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” While many believe in the omnipotence of God, Genesis presents a scenario that any five-year-old child could potentially argue is beyond the scope of an omnipotent being's abilities—speaking the universe into existence.

The Liar Paradox and Omnipotence

Some argue that an omnipotent being cannot lie because God is Truth (Psalm 119:142[3]). This creates a paradox: a being who can do anything theoretically should be able to lie, yet it is considered that God cannot. The example of a five-year-old child outwitting an omnipotent being illustrates the complexity of this concept. Essentially, there is an inherent contradiction when attempting to define omnipotence in a way that remains logically sound.

Creation Ex Nihilo and Omni-Power

The idea of creation ex nihilo, or the creation of the universe from nothing, aligns closely with the attributes of an omnipotent being. The Big Bang Theory suggests that the universe originated from a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature. For a being to have created the universe in this manner would be a demonstration of their omnipotence.

What Can an Omnipotent Being Truly Do?

Omnipotence is defined as “all powerful.” This means that an omnipotent entity can do anything that it wishes to do. Some examples of what only an omnipotent entity could accomplish include:

Create an ethereal realm from nothing Form all entities within that ethereal realm from nothing Create time and keep it entirely separate from the ethereal realm Create the earth within time from nothing Create light from nothing Create all things on that earth and the universe surrounding it from nothing Grant free will to entities without affecting divine will Know every aspect of creation before it occurs

These actions are possible, provided that they do not violate the principle of non-contradiction.

Is There Anything an Omnipotent Being Can't Do?

The question of whether an omnipotent being can truly do anything is complex. If we define “anything” as the complete absence of limitation, then logically, an omnipotent being can do anything. However, this definition can lead to paradoxes. For example, can an omnipotent being create a stone so heavy that even it cannot lift it? This question highlights the limits of logical consistency when applied to an omnipotent entity.

Creation Ex Nihilo: An Example of Omnipotence

One prominent example of an action that an omnipotent being could perform that would seem impossible to humans is the creation of the universe ex nihilo. This concept aligns with the Big Bang Theory. When we consider the idea of “nothing,” it is important to understand that it refers to a state devoid of natural objects, not the non-existence of metaphysical or supernatural entities. Even if we define “nothing” as the absence of spacetime, gravity, matter, and energy, a being could still create these phenomena from a state of pure potentiality.

Conclusion

The concept of omnipotence challenges our understanding of power, creation, and the nature of God. While the idea of an omnipotent being is intriguing, it also presents logical and spiritual paradoxes. The creation ex nihilo of the universe, as described by the Big Bang Theory, is a prime example of an action that aligns with the attributes of an omnipotent being. As we delve deeper into the study of omnipotence, we must carefully navigate the boundaries between logical consistency and divine transcendence.