Dr. Doug Potter, an Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Theology at SES, dives deep into the enigmatic nature of God. He tackles profound questions about God's goodness, immutability, and omnipresence, highlighting the complexities in biblical texts. The discussion also navigates the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will, considering how both coexist. Potter emphasizes the significance of prayer as a vital connection to God and critiques traditional moral arguments, presenting a nuanced understanding of divinity that transcends human concepts.
The essence of God's goodness is not just moral perfection but fundamentally goodness itself, distinguishing Him from the concept of evil.
God's omnipotence is defined by His intrinsic ability to create from nothing, emphasizing that His power does not entail logical contradictions.
God's immutability reassures believers that His promises remain constant, while human actions still hold real significance in their relationship with Him.
Deep dives
The Nature of God
Understanding the nature of God is a complex endeavor that requires careful consideration of various attributes. It is emphasized that God must be understood as pure existence, which distinguishes Him from created beings. This means God is not composed of elements we recognize in the world, making him fundamentally different in nature. The discussion touches upon the concept of analogy in theology, proposing that our understanding of God's attributes is analogous rather than univocal or equivocal, allowing us to acknowledge God's similarities to us while respecting His transcendence.
The Goodness of God
The concept of divine goodness is vital yet often misinterpreted, leading to philosophical challenges like the 'evil God' argument. God's goodness is not merely moral perfection but rather his essence; He is goodness itself. This understanding asserts that God cannot be evil or morally deficient, as evil constitutes a lack of goodness. Addressing misconceptions, the podcast explains that morality is a subcategory of goodness and that God is above the limitations of human moral reasoning.
Omnipotence and Creation
God’s omnipotence is defined as the ability to do anything that is logically possible, with an emphasis on His power to create from nothing. The podcast underscores that this characteristic does not allow for logical contradictions, framing discussions around common queries like whether God can create a rock too heavy for Him to lift as misconceptions. It highlights that God’s power is intrinsic to His being, meaning He does not exhaust His strength by using it. This understanding stresses that God sustains all of creation and controls everything with non-reductive strength.
God’s Omnipresence
God's omnipresence is characterized as being actively present at every point in creation, not as a physical spread but as a sustaining force. The podcast distinguishes between the idea of God being in creation and God being distinct from it, avoiding pantheism. The speakers explain that while God is present everywhere, He is not a part of creation but rather its upholding cause. This nuanced understanding conveys a relational comfort for believers, reinforcing the intimate connection they have with God as the source of their existence.
Immutability and Free Will
God’s immutability signifies that He does not change, which offers comfort to believers regarding His promises and nature. Discussions around prayer and divine knowledge demonstrate that, while God is unchanging, human actions and relationships have real significance. The concept of prayer is characterized as an expression of dependence on God rather than a mechanism that changes His will. Furthermore, the relationship between divine foreknowledge and human free will is framed in a way that supports both God’s sovereignty and the meaningfulness of human choices, maintaining that they can coexist harmoniously.
What does it mean to say God is "good"? Could God be evil? Does God ever change His mind? What does it mean to say that God is everywhere present and all-knowing? Taken at face value, the Bible seems to provide contradictory information about the nature of God. Join us as we continue to discuss these issues as they relate to the attributes of God. We will again be joined by Dr. Doug Potter, SES Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Theology.
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