What God Cannot Do

[psycmajor]

This was originally posted in General Apologetics, but the thread has been hijacked!!!

I guess I should have specified that I only wanted CHRISTIAN responses.

Well, here it is again (sorry for the repeat!):

Here are a few things that God cannot do:

James 1:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Titus 1:2
...in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,


Can anyone else find things in the Bible that say that God cannot do certain things (please cite scripture!).

Does the Bible ever say that God can do EVERYTHING (again, please cite scripture!)? This is the main question I was interested in--from a CHRISTIAN perspective!

 

[Julie]

God cannot send anyone to Hell against their will.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by Julie
God cannot send anyone to Hell against their will.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

That verse doesn't say that God can't send someone to hell against their will.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

God cannot lie.
God cannot change.
God cannot go against His own word.
God cannot break His own commandments.
God must be true to His own nature.
God is not so sovereign ("super sovereign") that He can do things that He has said He will not do or which are against His own nature.

And these are good things to His praise and glory!
Some would insist that to say these things means that God is not all powerful. God is only limited by those limitations that He imposes upon Himself for His own purposes.

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by hobart schmedly
God cannot lie.
God cannot change.
God cannot go against His own word.
God cannot break His own commandments.
God must be true to His own nature.
God is not so sovereign ("super sovereign") that He can do things that He has said He will not do or which are against His own nature.

And these are good things to His praise and glory!
Some would insist that to say these things means that God is not all powerful. God is only limited by those limitations that He imposes upon Himself for His own purposes.

Well said hobart!

God bless.

 

[psycmajor]

Reformationist

Aw, is that your bay-bee??

I think Julie meant that that scripture means that people make the decision to go to hell by not choosing God. Doesn't sound to pleasant, but it's the truth. And it will set you free!

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by psycmajor
Reformationist

Aw, is that your bay-bee??

Yeah. That's him.

I think Julie meant that that scripture means that people make the decision to go to hell by not choosing God. Doesn't sound to pleasant, but it's the truth. And it will set you free!

Well, it's definitely one opinion of what is the truth. I believe that God creates some people to be His children, and others to exemplify the inherent depravity of mankind and His just judgment in sending them to hell.

The promise referred to in 2 Peter 3:9 is the promise He made to his children. This epistle was directed at Christians:

2 Pet 3:3,4
knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?"

Peter is telling the Christians that non-believers will ridicule them saying that things are the same as they have always been and nothing has changed. They assume that God works according to our timeline. But He doesn't. Additionally, in context, the intended recipient of that verse becomes apparent:

2 Pet 3:8,9
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Peter was referring to the beloved of God, His children. And, Peter says, "us." He is saved by God's grace. He's not going to lump that in with those he was warning the Christians about, those that will say, "Where is the promise of His coming?"

God bless.

 

[psycmajor]

Reformationist

So you believe in predestination?

What's the kiddo's name? He looks like he's snoring!

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by psycmajor
Reformationist

So you believe in predestination?

Most definitely.

What's the kiddo's name? He looks like he's snoring!

LOL! His name is Mason. You know, it's tiring being that cute. Always having to smile on demand and being the recipient of an endless stream of kisses . Tiring stuff!

God bless.

 

[The Simpleton]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting that psycmajor.

I came to the concussion a long time ago that nothing; not even God has no limits. I have never seen it documented biblically though. It’s just something that I believed and kept to myself so as not to sound sacrilegious.

Here’s where I came about my point of view that even God has limits. An Atheist acquaintance of mine asked me if I believed in God. I told him that I was a Christian. He said, “then tell me this. Can God do anything?” I said of course he can do anything, I mean hey, he’s God. Another Christian standing next to me agreed. So the acquaintance said to me “Can he make a rock so big that he can’t lift it?” Before even attempting to answer, I knew that he had me. If yes then God can’t lift his own rock. If no, then God can’t make such a rock. Now granted it’s a silly question in it’s literal form but still it started me thinking.

Can God make an Angel so great that it can defeat him?? I think not.

Yes it’s true, even God has limits. An atheist taught me this. Up to now, I have never found scripture to back up my opinion. Thank you psycmajor. You have just fitted nicely into place one small piece of the puzzle for me. I can now voice my feelings on this point without risk of being called a heretic. I can now quote scripture. I can’t wait for an Atheist to ask me that question again! I’m going to take the wind out of his/her sails in a hurry.

 

[Blackhawk]

Reformationist,

"Well, it's definitely one opinion of what is the truth. I believe that God creates some people to be His children, and others to exemplify the inherent depravity of mankind and His just judgment in sending them to hell."

Okay you are a 5 point calvinist. I know this but even as a 5 point Calvinist view it is it not still a person's choice to go to hell? Because of Adam's sin we all have a sin nature that is in direct opposition towards God. We do not want to be Christians. So we choose not to go to Heaven and liv our lives with God.

Now if God does nothig then we will continue this way until we die and we will go to hell. Not just because God chose us to go to hell only but because we choose to go their ourselves because of our nature.

Also just want to say that I agree with much of the Calvinist position just not all but you know this.

blackhawk

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by Blackhawk
I know this but even as a 5 point Calvinist view it is it not still a person's choice to go to hell? Because of Adam's sin we all have a sin nature that is in direct opposition towards God. We do not want to be Christians. So we choose not to go to Heaven and liv our lives with God.

Now if God does nothig then we will continue this way until we die and we will go to hell. Not just because God chose us to go to hell only but because we choose to go their ourselves because of our nature.

Yes. That's exactly what I mean. I didn't attempt to explain it because, for some, comprehending the idea of a person being bound by a totally sinful nature that makes them incapable of choosing righteousness is too difficult. If I were to say that a person could "choose" to go to hell but the only choice they could technically make is to do so then most people would say that's not really a choice at all. Sorry for the confusion.

God bless.

 

[Blackhawk]

Originally posted by Reformationist


Yes. That's exactly what I mean. I didn't attempt to explain it because, for some, comprehending the idea of a person being bound by a totally sinful nature that makes them incapable of choosing righteousness is too difficult. If I were to say that a person could "choose" to go to hell but the only choice they could technically make is to do so then most people would say that's not really a choice at all. Sorry for the confusion.

God bless.

cool. I thought so. I know one thing we definitely agree with each other on is the Total Depravity of man.

blackhawk

 

[ZiSunka]

There is a great books called, "101 Things God Cannot Do," by Maisie Sparks.

"#8. God Can't Sleep. - Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4 "

"#37. God Can't Be Seen By The Natural Eye. - For we walk by faith, not by sight. II Corinthians 5:7 "