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Omnibenevolence is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "unlimited or infinite benevolence". Some philosophers, such as Epicurus , have argued that it is impossible, or at least improbable, for a deity to exhibit such a property alongside omniscience and omnipotence , as a result of the problem of evil .
Epicurus was not an atheist, although he rejected the idea of a god concerned with human affairs; followers of Epicureanism denied the idea that there was no god. While the conception of a supreme, happy and blessed god was the most popular during his time, Epicurus rejected such a notion, as he considered it too heavy a burden for a god to have to worry about all the problems in the world.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism's definition of God is an enumeration of his attributes: "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth." [6] This answer has been criticised, however, as having "nothing specifically Christian about it."
Using the example of Francis of Assisi, G. K. Chesterton argues that, contrary "to the modern mind", wealth is condemned in Christian theology for the very reason that wealth insulates from evil and suffering, and the spiritual growth such experiences can produce. Chesterton explains that Francis pursued poverty "as men have dug madly for gold ...
Omnipotence is the quality of having unlimited power. Monotheistic religions generally attribute omnipotence only to the deity of their faith. In the monotheistic religious philosophy of Abrahamic religions, omnipotence is often listed as one of God's characteristics, along with omniscience, omnipresence, and omnibenevolence.
God could not, for example, create square circles, act contrary to his nature, or, more relevantly, create beings with free will that would never choose evil. [8] Taking this latter point further, Plantinga argued that the moral value of human free will is a credible offsetting justification that God could have as a morally justified reason for ...
Karl Barth (/ b ɑːr t, b ɑːr θ /; [1] German:; () 10 May 1886 – () 10 December 1968) was a Swiss Reformed theologian.Barth is best known for his commentary The Epistle to the Romans, his involvement in the Confessing Church, including his authorship (except for a single phrase) of the Barmen Declaration, [2] [3] and especially his unfinished multi-volume theological summa the Church ...
Hence, some atheists argue that the existence of natural evil challenges belief in the existence, omnibenevolence, or omnipotence of God or any deity. [ 4 ] Some Christian theologians respond that natural evil is the indirect result of original sin just as moral evils are. [ 2 ]