Can God lift a rock. . .

God's power is unlimited.... no ifs or buts.

 

Why's it gotta be a rock? Why noy a giant bowl of cookies 'n cream?

 

Wow!!! A question I never heard before! I wonder if God can make a square circle!

 

No. Because God can't do anything inconsistent with his nature.

For example: God cannot lie.

 

I've asked this question before on this board, but in the context that it was a stupid and divisive question to ask.

It's still a stupid and divisive question.

 

It is called an illogical fallacy, one that has no answer. It is like asking: Can God create a four-sided triangle? Does the question make sense? God can do anything-- Anything that is within his means and nature to do so. God cannot create a four-sided triangle, because you have so defined it that it cannot be done. God cannot create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift, because you have so defined it that it cannot be done. God can do all things that are possible to be done, and within His nature to be done.
DHK

 

God's power is unlimited, but there is a line He will not cross, and that is our free will. He may help us exercise our free will in line with His plan, like when he sent the hornets, but He will not go against our free will.

Speaking of rocks, an interesting thought. Computer chips are made out of silicone (rock) and record mega mega bytes. Perhaps the rocks are recording our words and will be played back to us one day. Could it be that's what Jesus meant when He said even the "rocks would cry out?" There is so much we don't know that we will find out one day.

Okay, I'm leaving now....

 

Good answer DHK. I agree.

 

DHK is right. It is like two people being taller than each other. It is a logical fallacy.

 

Ladyeagle, how many people of their own freewill consciously choose hell?

Does God go against that and still send people there?

Hint: then answer to the first question is many/most. The answer to the second is yes.

 

Judas did.

 

No he didn't. He did not think to himself that he wanted to go to hell.

 

Great point Paul33.

 

DD, you said the answer was many/most meaning most people of their own free will consciously choose hell. Are you sure that's what you meant?

 

No. I meant that most people do not consciously choose hell. However, God will still send them there.

 

If God did not chose certain unto salvation in Jesus Christ [called election] no one would be saved.

The Second London Confession of Faith of 1689 states concerning the natural state of man [Lumpkin, page 264]:

“Man by his fall into a state of sin hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as a natural man, being altogether adverse from good, and dead in sin is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself; or to prepare himself thereunto.”

Southern Baptist John Dagg [Manual of Theology, page 322] comments on the natural man’s inability regarding salvation, as follows:

“Every proposed method of salvation that leaves the issue dependent on human volition is defective. It has always been found that men will not come to Christ for life. The Gospel is preached to every creature; but all, with one consent, ask to be excused. The will of man must be changed; and this change the will cannot itself effect. Divine grace must here interpose. Unless God works in the sinner to will and to do, salvation is impossible.”

The Apostle Paul confirms the above statements, as follows:

1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV
14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

The natural man is the unregenerate man, dead in trespasses and sins. When the Holy Spirit regenerates or makes alive that which is spiritually dead then the Gospel Call becomes the effectual call and man is able to to freely respond in faith followed by repentance. [Ephesians 2:1-10]