HomePhilosophia: International Journal of Philosophyvol. 17 no. 1 (2016)

The God Question and Man’s Claim to Omnipotence

Benson O. Igboin

Discipline: Philosophy, Religion

 

Abstract:

A general conceptualization of God’s omnipotence is that he possesses illimitable superior power over and above every other thing. Consequently, God is thought of being able to bring about “all” things. Such belief includes that as all-powerful, he does not need to be protected or defended by his creatures, insofar as he “cannot” be vulnerable to the threats or attacks of any creature, except possibly self-inflicted attacks, which would be self-contradictory. Human power, on the other hand, assumes the belief that even though God is absolutely omnipotent; believers in him have the duty to either carry out what they believe is his commandment or each one acts as he should act. This being so, the human claim to omnipotence absolutizes man/woman as being able, with impunity, in fact, with stupendous promise of reward, by acting as the “arm” or “brain” of God. The logical conclusion of such reasoning is to deny either claim of omnipotence by God or man. But how plausible would such a conclusion be to real-life situation?