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From: rlw@wxlvax.UUCP (Richard L. Wexelblat)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Free Will vs. Omnipotence [and Omniscience]
Message-ID: <266@wxlvax.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 1-Apr-84 01:39:26 EST
Article-I.D.: wxlvax.266
Posted: Sun Apr  1 01:39:26 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 2-Apr-84 00:46:38 EST
References: azure.2547
Lines: 35

I've been away for a while, so forgive me if I'm repeating what others said:

It seems that the contradiction between omnipotence and omniscience occurs
only if we hold a "static" view of these things.  I think it is possible to
concieve of a "process" view of them.  To wit:

At The Beginning (since time is different for God, his times will be 
capitalized (eg. T1).  Human time will be lowercase (eg. t1)), God existed,
and created the universe.  Since He was omnipotent He could do this, and 
since he was onmiscient, He knew everything that Was, Is and Would Be.

Now, at some T1 God creates mankind.  Since he is omnipotent, He knows
what all men will do from now until T-infinity.  But, since He is also
all-powerful, He gives man free will.  Thus, suddenly, He is no longer
omnipotent, since His omnipotence disallows free will (by definition).  So
He is q-omnipotent Now.  Thus we have a God who knows when our sun will go
nova, but does not know that I will go to sleep in 1/2 hour (if I myself
have not decided that yet).

Alternatively, we can look at the question from another angle:  Is God bound
by logic?  IE:  can He create a logical contradiction (P & not(P))?  If He
is all-powerful, then He should be able to.  Or, is He limited by His own
actions.  For instance, if an omnipotent God creates a rock that is too
heavy for Him to lift, does He then become q-omnipotent?

CAVEAT:  I do not necessarily believe any of this.  I just think it's
interesting to discuss.

MEGA-CAVEAT:  I am posting this by the graces of my father, and ITT, his
employer.  To hold them responsible for anything said in this, or any of my
other postings would be incorrect.

--Alan Wexelblat
(currently appearing at: ...decvax!ittvax!wxlvax!rlw.  Please put "For Alan"
 in mail headers.)