ramifications of omnipotence for God

quote:

---

Maybe, but then what of the reasons that we are often given as to why God refuses to simply come down and show Himself to the world so that we can actually know He exists instead of being left debating His existence in places like EvC?

---

It would be difficult for God to show himself when people have lost sight of how gods supposedly evolved.They were personifications of nature and the unexplained. Some people try to defy nature and lose, some don't.Is nature omnipotent?Even though we continually fight nature to maintain the manicured lawns and cities, when we abandon a place; nature takes it back.So mankind has evolved as a creature with "free will" and we obey the laws of nature.We have our own rules of behavior, just like many other mammals.

---

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

quote:

---

So God is still on the hook. He can't be "omnipotent" if He gives us power over our own lives.

---

I don't understand how allowing someone to do what they want would take away my omnipotence.I have the ability to squash an ant or destroy an ant colony if I chose. Sometimes I squash an ant and sometimes I don't. Choosing not to doesn't take away my ability to do so.So I don't understand the concept that allowing us choice means God can't be omnipotent. What am I missing?

---

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

Still trying to get my head around what this means in practical application.From Websters:
Omnipotent - having virtually unlimited authority or influencepotent - having or wielding force, authority, or influence : POWERFUL
2 : achieving or bringing about a particular result : EFFECTIVEEven potent carries the meaning of having force, authority, or influence and not necessarily wielding it. One could have it and wield it or have it and not wield it.What you're describing seems to fit the second meaning.I had the impression that omnipotent in reference to God referred to the first meaning.Given that, just because someone chooses not to stomp ants all the time doesn't mean they lose their power to do so.IMO, they aren't saying that God has all the power, but that he is the most powerful. I feel that the Bible reference deal with being the most powerful, as opposed to, unlimited power.

---

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

quote:

---

It's like the bear joke: I don't have to run faster than the bear - I only have to run faster than you. In God's case, He doesn't have to be omnipotent - He only has to be more powerful than us.

---

Exactly! In the Bible I think he was touted as more powerful than other gods also.

quote:

---

but it isn't really "omni", is it?

---

Omni means all or universal. I think I see what you're saying. All powerful would mean that one has all the power to have or wield. The definition, on the otherhand, says unlimited or virtually unlimited power. Now I understand the money analogy.The next question would be, what power does God actually have? Now days I think they look at power as authority and not might. I think in the Bible, they viewed him as mighty.

---

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz