Can God Make a Rock So Big He Cannot Lift It?

[David505]

I remember hearing that when I was a kid; finally thought of an answer one day:

Our earthly body is mostly water, with lots of minerals, and some other ingredients in suspension. Dry us out sufficiently, and we become a solid collection like "the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7)".

So, considering we are the Lord's creation, and keeping in mind that we can only attain salvation (and be lifted up to Heaven) by accepting the call of the Lord; then, God really did make a rock so big He could not lift it. The rock is, you..."upon this rock I will build my church."

How do you like that?

[mattfivefour]

Actually, David, the rock of which Jesus spoke was the confession that He is the Messiah. And it is upon that belief, that faith, in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah who would take away the sin of the world that the Church is built. We are merely stones within that building. And one day we will be lifted to Heaven to sit in glory with our God and our Savior.

[Robert]

I remember hearing that when I was a kid; finally thought of an answer one day:

Our earthly body is mostly water, with lots of minerals, and some other ingredients in suspension. Dry us out sufficiently, and we become a solid collection like "the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7)".

So, considering we are the Lord's creation, and keeping in mind that we can only attain salvation (and be lifted up to Heaven) by accepting the call of the Lord; then, God really did make a rock so big He could not lift it. The rock is, you..."upon this rock I will build my church."

How do you like that?

The answer to this question is to question the question.


Allow me to explain...

This question is a deliberate "no-win scenario" whose purpose is simply an attempt to strip God of His omnipotence, no matter the answer given. It's flawed in its' premise and exists as an absurdity, very much like asking "how many nuclear bombs does it take to make 2+3=7?" The answer would be that no amount of power could do that; 2+3=5 no matter how much power is expended.

God does what is logically possible; if He did what was logically impossible, He would create a rock so heavy He could not lift it, then lift it anyway since logic just got thrown out the window. But that is against God's nature, as God is a God of order and not disorder. So as that is true, the only answer then is to see this question as not a question but a ridiculous statement designed to be just what it is...


...a trap.

Dave505, I like your thinking, but I think Mattfivefour is on track with this.

[David505]

Actually, David, the rock of which Jesus spoke was the confession that He is the Messiah. And it is upon that belief, that faith, in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah who would take away the sin of the world that the Church is built. We are merely stones within that building. And one day we will be lifted to Heaven to sit in glory with our God and our Savior.

Thanks for the clarification.

[dave-o]

That is an old question framed by atheists trying to use logic to prove that God does not exist. But as Robert said it's a trap. It misuses words to first humanize God down to a physical size and then make Him subject to the laws of nature where they then can deal with Him in their puny human minds. (Atheists have a real problem dealing with anything outside the known universe since such a place can't be proven.)

Define the question more precisely and the answer becomes clear:

Can the Supreme Deity make something superior to Himself? NO!

The definition and very concept of "supreme" is that nothing can possibly be greater. So the answer "no" does not diminish God but instead validates who and what He is; the God whom nothing and no one can be superior to.

[Spiritual Armor]

Remember that the Lord created laws and rules which even He abides by and will not break. He demonstrated this in sending His only son to die in our place. It would have been so much easier to break His own rule but He is a God of not only love but also justice. It does not diminish His deity in anyway, He created everything and knows best. Just my 2 cents.

[JC1949]

I remember hearing that when I was a kid; finally thought of an answer one day:

Our earthly body is mostly water, with lots of minerals, and some other ingredients in suspension. Dry us out sufficiently, and we become a solid collection like "the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7)".

So, considering we are the Lord's creation, and keeping in mind that we can only attain salvation (and be lifted up to Heaven) by accepting the call of the Lord; then, God really did make a rock so big He could not lift it. The rock is, you..."upon this rock I will build my church."

How do you like that?

there are many things The lord CANNOT DO:
1) HE CANNOT LIE
2)HE CANNOT CHANGE
3)HE CANNOT SAVE THOSE WHO REJECT HIM...
and other interesting things that have to do with HIS GOODNESS,INTEGRITY and PERFECTION,but surely HE will never do something silly and absolutely useless like making a rock that HE cannot lift...
THE LORD IS TOTAL WISDOM and SUPREME INTELLIGENCE...so what is the point of asking such non sensical questions?
SHALOM

[SonSeeker]

there are many things The lord CANNOT DO:
1) HE CANNOT LIE
2)HE CANNOT CHANGE
3)HE CANNOT SAVE THOSE WHO REJECT HIM...
and other interesting things that have to do with HIS GOODNESS,INTEGRITY and PERFECTION,but surely HE will never do something silly and absolutely useless like making a rock that HE cannot lift...
THE LORD IS TOTAL WISDOM and SUPREME INTELLIGENCE...so what is the point of asking such non sensical questions?
SHALOM

When I was a kid, the question was, "Can God tie a knot He cannot untie?"

Roberto is right, these are nonsensical questions, or put another way, they are logical impossibilities.

[Robert]

When I was a kid, the question was, "Can God tie a knot He cannot untie?"

Roberto is right, these are nonsensical questions, or put another way, they are logical impossibilities.

He is, and they are. :)