We are studying the attributes of God in our discussion of Theology Proper or otherwise known as the doctrine of God. Remember that an attribute could be defined as a quality, character, characteristic, or property that describes the essence of who God is. Defining God’s attributes helps us to understand the particular manner in which divinity exists and operates. For the purpose of these articles, we are describing God’s attributes in relation to his intellect, sensibility, and will. We spent the past several months discussion God’s sensibility, including his holiness and love. Today we begin our discussion on the attributes that relate to God’s will, which include His omnipotence and sovereignty.
To say that God is omnipotent means that He is all-powerful, or that He has unlimited ability to do anything “consistent with his nature, character, and will.” The section in quotation marks is important, because many critics ask, well, stupid questions,[1] like, “can God lie (Titus 1:2); can God be tempted by sin (James 1:13); can God deny Himself (James 1:13), or can God look with favor on sin (Hab 1:13)?” The answer is, of course, no to these questions! The answer is no because lying, tempting to sin, denying Himself, and looking on sin with favor is not in harmony with God’s character or nature, not because God is not all-powerful. Further, absurdities, self-contradictions, or logical impossibilities (such as can God make a square circle, a stone so large that He could not lift it, a material spirit, or a wrong to be right) do not speak against God’s omnipotence.
Sometimes, finite human beings with limited reasoning and understanding of God’s will try to question God’s all-powerful nature. They might state that God could have chosen to keep sin out of the universe or that God could have chosen to create man without a mind. The answer to these questions is that He could have chosen these things but did not. The things which God has chosen to include in His plan are not contrary to His nature or His will and do not provide concern regarding whether God is truly omnipotent.
God revealed his all-powerful nature when He miraculously gave Abraham and Sarah a baby, despite the barrenness of Sarah’s womb (Gen 19:10-14). The angel told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, would deliver a child in her old age for “nothing will be impossible with God” Luke 1:37 (ESV). God promised Jeremiah that He would restore His exiled people to the promised land because nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer 32:17). God can even save man, for what is impossible with men is possible with God (Matt 19:26).
The Psalmist stated, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” Psalm 115:3 (ESV). Isaiah proclaimed, “For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27 (ESV). Job communicated, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” Job 42:2(ESV). And finally, Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he (God) does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” Daniel 4:35 (ESV)
A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. "Young man," said the professor, "If you can tell me something God can do, I’ll give you a big, shiny apple." The boy thought for a moment and then replied, "Mister, if you can tell me something God can't do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!"
Next month, we will continue discussing the attribute of God’s will, considering the aspect of His sovereignty. Until then, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
*Material for this newsletter article are taken from the notes of Jim Smith, Professor of Bible and Theology at Brookes Bible College.
[1] Yes, I know that many a teacher has stated to their students, with good intentions, that there are no stupid questions. However, the following examples contradict this argument.