Introduction: Exploring God's Freedom and Omnipotence

One of the most intriguing questions in theology is the nature of God’s freedom. How free is God? Can He do anything, or are there limits to His omnipotence? In this article, we will explore divine omnipotence and the boundaries of God's freedom, including whether there are things even God cannot do. The discussion also touches on logical impossibilities, moral perfection, and the fascinating concept of God's relationship to free will.

Understanding Divine Omnipotence

When we speak of God's omnipotence, we typically refer to the idea that God can do anything. However, defining omnipotence with precision is complex. A helpful way to understand it is that an omnipotent being can do anything that is logically possible. For instance, God cannot make a "married bachelor" or a "square circle" because these are not actual things—they are self-contradictions. God's inability to perform logically impossible tasks does not diminish His omnipotence because these tasks are not real actions.
The classic example often posed is whether God can create a rock so heavy that even He cannot lift it. Like the concept of a married bachelor, this is a logical contradiction. It’s not a reflection of any limit in God’s power, but rather a misunderstanding of what omnipotence entails. Thus, we can conclude that God is limited only by logic, not by any external force.

Can God Choose Not to Create?

A significant question in the context of God's freedom is whether God could have refrained from creating the universe. According to traditional Judeo-Christian thought, creation is an act of God’s free will. This means God could have chosen not to create anything at all. Philosophers express this by imagining a possible world where God exists alone, with no time, space, or material universe. Such a world is conceivable, which supports the idea that creation is not a necessary act but a freely willed one.
Furthermore, God is not limited to creating just one universe. He could create multiple universes, an infinite number of them, if He so chooses. The idea of a multiverse is not incompatible with traditional theology. As an infinite being, God has the power to create as many realities as He wills, showing the vast scope of His creative freedom.

Are There Other Things God Cannot Do?

Aside from logical contradictions, are there other things that God cannot do? One question that often arises is whether God can sin. The answer is no, but this is not because of a limitation in God's power. Instead, it’s because sinning would contradict God’s nature as a perfectly good being.
To understand why God cannot sin, we must explore the concept of God’s essence. If God is defined as the greatest conceivable being, as St. Anselm argued, He must be morally perfect. A morally perfect being cannot do evil because that would contradict its very nature. Therefore, God’s inability to sin is not a weakness but a reflection of His absolute moral perfection.

God’s Moral Perfection and Worship

Some people might argue that while God cannot sin, this seems different from the logical impossibility of creating a square circle. However, both cases involve a logical contradiction. Sinning would contradict God's essential nature as a perfectly good being. This leads to the conclusion that if God exists, He must be incapable of moral imperfection.
The notion of God’s moral perfection is also tied to the idea that God is worthy of worship. Worship is not simply about power or might but about moral excellence. A being that is immensely powerful yet morally flawed would not be worthy of worship. To be God, a being must be morally perfect. As such, God’s perfection includes His inability to do evil, which is why He is the ultimate object of worship.

God and Middle Knowledge: Limits on Divine Freedom

Another fascinating dimension of God's freedom relates to the concept of *middle knowledge*, a theory in theology and philosophy. Middle knowledge refers to God's knowledge of what free creatures would do in any given circumstance. This knowledge is contingent and not determined by God’s will, meaning that even though God knows how we would act, He does not control those actions.
Because of this, there are logically possible worlds that God cannot create. These are worlds where the free choices of creatures would lead to outcomes God does not desire. God’s freedom is, in a sense, limited by the fact that He cannot make someone freely choose something. It is logically impossible for God to force free choices, as that would negate the very nature of freedom.
Thus, while God knows all possible worlds, He only actualizes a subset of feasible worlds—those that align with the free choices creatures would make. This limitation is not a weakness but a logical necessity that preserves the genuine freedom of human beings.

How God’s Middle Knowledge Affects Providence

The idea of middle knowledge has important implications for how we understand God’s providence, particularly when it comes to the problem of evil. If God knows how free creatures will act, it may be the case that in every possible world, some creatures would choose evil. Therefore, it’s possible that no feasible world exists where everyone freely chooses to do what is right.
This understanding helps explain why there is evil in the world despite God's omniscience and omnipotence. God may have created the best possible world within the limitations of free will, but that doesn’t mean it is a perfect world without evil. In any world where free creatures exist, there is the potential for wrongdoing, and God respects that freedom even though He could prevent certain outcomes.

Conclusion: The Boundaries of Divine Freedom

In conclusion, the freedom of God is a profound and intricate topic. While God is omnipotent and free, His actions are still guided by logic and His own perfect nature. He cannot do the logically impossible or act against His own essence of moral perfection. Moreover, God's relationship with free will, as understood through middle knowledge, introduces fascinating complexities that show how divine omnipotence operates within certain logical constraints.
The idea that God could not make us freely choose something illustrates how deeply God respects human freedom. Rather than diminishing His power, this respect for freedom reflects the wisdom of a God who governs a world where free will has real consequences.
I was inspired by this exploration of God’s freedom and middle knowledge, which sheds light on how divine omnipotence works in tandem with human liberty. If you're interested in learning more, check out the full discussion on YouTube here.