The Question, “Can God Make a Rock So Big That He Can’t Lift It?”

  • While this question is usually asked to stump the Christian or diminish our view of God’s omnipotence, the reality is this question fails in terms of its logic and its understanding of God.
  • Logically it is no imperfection on God’s part to be unable to do something that is inherently contradictory by nature (for example, drawing a square circle). Just as a square circle is nonsensical, so too is the notion of God creating a rock so big that he cannot lift it.
  • God is omnipotent, meaning he is all-powerful. There is nothing God cannot do (Jeremiah 32:17; Job 42:2). God can create a rock as big as he wants to. And God can lift any rock he chooses to lift. But again, God cannot do the logically incoherent.
  • We must also recognize that when it comes to God’s omnipotence God cannot do something that is contrary to his holy nature (Leviticus 11:45). For example, God cannot tell a lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) and God cannot be tempted to sin (James 1:13).

For more information on God’s nature and attributes please check out Dr. Carlson’s lecture, What Is God Like? available in CD or MP3 in our online store.