The Incoherence of Limited Omnipotence: A Critique of Atheism

Introduction

Atheism, in its various forms, has been a dominant force in modern philosophical discourse. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that atheism’s rejection of the concept of God is often based on an unnuanced understanding of omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence. This critique will argue that the notion of a limited or finite God, as proposed by some atheists, is inherently incoherent and fails to provide a logically consistent explanation of reality.

The Omnipotence Problem

One of the primary objections to the concept of God is the apparent contradiction between omnipotence and the existence of evil. Atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell famously argued that an all-powerful God cannot exist, as He would be unable to create a stone that He could not lift (Russell, 1903). However, this critique relies on a narrow understanding of omnipotence.

Defining Omnipotence

Omnipotence does not imply the ability to perform logical contradictions or self-contradictory actions. Rather, it refers to the capacity to actualize any possible state of affairs that is logically consistent with God’s nature (Plantinga, 1974). This distinction is crucial, as it highlights the limitations of language in describing divine attributes.

The Omniscience Conundrum

Another challenge to the concept of God is the apparent tension between omniscience and human free will. If God knows everything that will happen, do humans truly possess freedom? Atheist Christopher Hitchens contended that an all-knowing God would render human actions predetermined (Hitchens, 2007). However, this objection neglects the distinction between foreknowledge and predetermination.

Foreknowledge vs. Predetermination

God’s omniscience does not imply a causal relationship between His knowledge and human decisions. Rather, it suggests that God’s knowledge is eternal and unchanging, encompassing all possible outcomes (Aquinas, 1265-1274). This understanding preserves human free will while maintaining the integrity of divine foreknowledge.

The Problem of Evil

Atheists often argue that the existence of evil contradicts the notion of an all-loving God. Richard Dawkins famously claimed that the presence of evil proves that God is either not all-powerful or not all-good (Dawkins, 2006). However, this critique relies on a simplistic understanding of evil and its relationship to divine benevolence.

The Greater Good Defense

One response to the problem of evil is the greater good defense, which posits that evil may be necessary for the attainment of a greater good (Swinburne, 1998). This perspective acknowledges the complexity of moral dilemmas and the limitations of human understanding. By recognizing the potential for evil to serve a higher purpose, we can reconcile the existence of evil with an all-loving God.

The Incoherence of Limited Omnipotence

Atheists often propose a limited or finite God as an alternative to traditional conceptions of omnipotence. However, this approach is inherently incoherent. A God who is not all-knowing, all-powerful, or all-loving would be subject to the same limitations and contradictions as human beings.

The Problem of Arbitrariness

If we accept a limited God, we must also acknowledge that His abilities and attributes are arbitrary and without logical foundation. This arbitrariness undermines the notion of a rational, coherent deity (Mackie, 1982).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of a God who is not all-knowing, all-powerful, or all-loving is fundamentally incoherent. The objections to traditional conceptions of omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence are based on misunderstandings and oversimplifications. By recognizing the complexity and nuance of these divine attributes, we can reconcile the existence of evil with an all-loving God and provide a logically consistent explanation of reality.

References

Aquinas, T. (1265-1274). Summa Theologica.

Dawkins, R. (2006). The God Delusion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Hitchens, C. (2007). God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Twelve Books.

Mackie, J. L. (1982). The Miracle of Theism: Arguments for and against the Existence of God. Oxford University Press.

Plantinga, A. (1974). God, Freedom, and Evil. Eerdmans.

Russell, B. (1903). Principles of Mathematics. Cambridge University Press.

Swinburne, R. (1998). Providence and the Problem of Evil. Oxford University Press.