Читать книгу Mathers Systematic Theology - Norman W. Mathers - Страница 31

Charles Hodge (1975:1:407) relates omnipotence to the will of God. God wills and it is done refers to creation. God has created according the good pleasure of his will which is a direct reference to Ephesians 1:11. “In whom also we have been called having been predestinated according to plan the one supernaturally works all things according to the divine decree” (boulen) “His will” [author’s translation] (Aland & Black 1968:665). The word boulen is used of the divine plan. It was formed when the Godhead met in eternity past. Hodge (ibid:407) cites these verses to support omnipotence (Gen. 17:1, Jer. 32:17, Ps. 115:3, Ps. 135:6). The omnipotence of God means that he is free from all restraints. Jesus told his disciples that all power had been given to Him in heaven and earth. The work of the Father is “which he has purposed in Christ having raised Him from dead and having seated” [Him-understood] “at His right in the heavenlies” (Eph. 1:20) [author’s translation] (Aland & Black 1968:666). Jesus Christ has been “exalted above all rule, authority, power, and lords, and every name being named not only in this age but also in the coming ones” (Eph. 1:21-22) (ibid:666). An exegesis of Philippians 2:9-11 testifies to the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ that everything concerning the believer’s life must come through Him. The miracles of Christ demonstrate his power over every realm. The Bible declares that the Lord God Almighty reigns: “Hallelujah because the Lord” (Jesus Christ) “has reigned” (Aorist Active Indicative, 3^rd person singular – constative – refers to something being completed in past time without reference to the action – just that it did happen) “God the Almighty” (Rev. 19:6) [author’s translation] (Aland & Black 1968:885). The context is a choral reading of praise in heaven because God has judged “the great harlot” (Rev. 19:2) (ibid:884). The false system of worship the world church is pictured in Revelation 17. Its commercial system has been destroyed by the Lord God Almighty in Revelation 18. The outworking of the glory of God stated in the Holy Scriptures is the might of God (Col. 1:11). The might of God is the application of his divine power to accomplish all his decree. Hoekema argues that God can accomplish all which He wills (1975:29-34 in Henry (ed.) 1975). It would be better phrased that God can accomplish all which He has willed. The decree of God and the means to accomplish all the divine will was completed in eternity past before time began. Shedd advances our discussion citing Psalm 33:6 where word or command is used of the divine omnipotence. God’s divine omnipotence is unlimited . It is only limited by absurd logical impossibilities (1979:1:359). God cannot do that which is contrary to his divine nature (being or essence) (ibid:360). God is not able to lie (Heb. 6:18) and can not deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). James 1:13 adds that God is not tempted by sin nor does He tempt believers to sin. Shedd explains that God is a perfect Being while sin is an imperfection (ibid:360). The attributes of God are equally balanced. His divine power is seen in creation (Is. 44:24). His providence is seen in Genesis 1:1 and 2. The preservation of God is declared in Hebrews 1:3. God supernaturally intervenes in our present world. His supernatural intervention supercedes natural laws (ibid:362). In addition, Shedd brings out the attribute of omnipotence applied to Christ and the gospel. Christ is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:24). The gospel is the power of God. The message has a life changing principle (Rom. 1:16). Messiah, Jesus Christ is the arm of the Lord (Is. 53:1). A. A. Hodge (1972:149) calls God the first cause. He supernaturally works all things according to the purpose which is divine decree (boule) His will. The divine decree was formed by His own counsel in Eternity Past. God’s infinite power is realized in all that God has willed (Chafer 1971:1:209). God’s omnipotence is evidenced in creation (Gen. 1:1), his power to preserve (Heb. 1:3) and divine providence (Ryrie 1974:23). The providence of God has one great end the glory of God. All events and the means to accomplish them come to pass as he planned from eternity past (Hodge 1975:1:255). Philosophers such as Hume have argued against the omnipotence of God. They reason that the Greatness of God would eventuate in a world without evil. The presence of evil in the world argues against theism (Hartshorne 1965:201). Plantinga acknowledges the fact of evil in the world (1977:54).

The problem is not with the omnipotence of God. The origin of evil is accounted not in the omnipotence of God but rather in his created beings. Isaiah 14 records the fall of Satan. Ezekiel 28 records the sin of Satan. This is the origin of evil in the universe. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden was because of obedience to Satan (Gen. 3:8-21, Rev. 20:2). God purposed by the counsel of his own will to have elect and non-elect angels. The Scripture testifies to this fact (1 Tim. 5:21). The omnipotence of God will be seen in the triumph of righteousness. Jesus Christ created the angelic realms (Col. 1:16).