What is God Like?
A different take on the nature of God…
When we describe God, there are certain classic categories, many going back centuries used to describe God — at least the Christian God.
1. Omnipotent: First, a little dictionary definition (this begins each of the supposed characteristics of God): Almighty or infinite in power, as God, having very great or unlimited authority or power. Synonyms: supreme, mighty, powerful.
2. Omniscience: the state of being omniscient; having infinite knowledge.
3. Omnipresent: Something that is omnipresent is present everywhere or seems to be always present. Synonyms: ubiquitous, ever-present, pervasive.
4. Impassible: 1. incapable of suffering pain 2. incapable of suffering harm 3. incapable of emotion; impassive. Synonyms: impassive, unemotional, unmoved, emotionless.
My problem with it all…
I have some trouble with these categories. St. Thomas Aquinas probably most clearly stated them in the 13th century. In his massive tome, Summa Theologica. It all sounds good, but it does not seem true in my life. Often it seems God is not good.
Is God all powerful? As Bart Ehrman has argued, God is not all good. Or God is not all powerful. You can’t have it both ways. In his book, God’s Problem, Ehrman…
