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God is All-Powerful
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 1:36 pm
by simonejm
Is there anything unbiblical with saying that God’s only power is the power of love, in which there is no domination, coercion, or violence? God is love (I John 4:8) – that is the defining divine perfection – and God is love from tip to toe.
“Omnipotence,” T. F. Torrance says, “is what God does, and it is from His ‘does’ rather than from a hypothetical ‘can’ that we are to understand the meaning of the term. What God does, we see in Christ.”
Re: God is All-Powerful
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:16 pm
by benstenson
simonejm wrote:Is there anything unbiblical with saying that God’s only power is the power of love, in which there is no domination, coercion, or violence? God is love (I John 4:8) – that is the defining divine perfection – and God is love from tip to toe.
“Omnipotence,” T. F. Torrance says, “is what God does, and it is from His ‘does’ rather than from a hypothetical ‘can’ that we are to understand the meaning of the term. What God does, we see in Christ.”
It is inaccurate I think, but sounds well intended.
Unfortunately, because of sin, we cannot say that love will never require violence.
Love is a use of power, not power itself. Love in an intention, a guiding objective of the heart. Power is ability. Love is an ultimate goal (choice, intention, motive) that directs one's ability/power.
We can also understand God's eternal power (ability, 'can') from the things He has made.
Re: God is All-Powerful
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:41 pm
by Joseph
The love of God is power...the power of God is love
Re: God is All-Powerful
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:11 pm
by benstenson
Joseph wrote:The love of God is power...the power of God is love
I agree with this in a sense even though taken literally it contradicts the view I expressed. God's love is powerful in our lives to convince us to be reconciled to Him and to live like Him.