Analysis on God

Question 7

Hoffman and Rosenkrantz have done an analysis on God, according to different religions. Some of the discussed religions are Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The analysis is from a rational, theological point of view. According to some religious beliefs, they recognize two omnipotence agents. At the same time, other religious beliefs recognize God as the only one who is omnipotent. These two philosophers have analyzed this belief and created an argument about it. According to the analysis of Hoffman and Rosenkrantz, they do not agree that there are two omnipotence agents. Thus, they have created an argument against the existence of two omnipotent agents.

The two philosophers argue that it is not possible to have two omnipotent agents because they will contradict each other. This situation is similar to a kingdom with two kings. Due to their equal authority, they will definitely disagree on how to rule the kingdom. Each king wants his orders followed. Hoffman and Rosenkrantz use the example of two people. Jane and Dick are omnipotent agents. Dick wants to move a feather while he retains his omnipotence. On the other hand, Jane wants to make the same feather motionless. Jane’s power makes Dick’s powerless and vice versa. Eventually, both cannot exercise their power hence two agents cannot co-exist.

An omnipotent being should be powerful than everything in the world. Jane is an omnipotent agent who can create a stone of a certain mass. If Jane cannot move the stone she has created, then it shows her powers are limited. This will defy the meaning of being omnipotent. Jane should have the power to create everything and have power over it. It is not possible to create something beyond one’s power. This situation there is a superior being who is above agents like Jane. God, who is considered the only one with maximal power, is the only omnipotent agent.

The existence of one omnipotent agent explains the beliefs of monotheism. The believers recognize God as the omnipotent being. His power cannot be challenged, and he is eternal. It also explains why God is superior and cannot be surpassed or compared to anyone. Since he is all-powerful, he can perform extra ordinary actions. For example, he is able to do any benevolent or malevolent action according to his decision. This continues to explain some occurrences in the world. According to believers, there are blessings, miracles as well as punishments from God.

Hoffman and Rosenkrantz eliminate the possibility of contingent omnipotence. Contingent omnipotence is an agent who comes into existence unexpectedly. These philosophers argue this cannot happen because there is a superior being with control of everything happening in the world. If a contingent omnipotence would come to existence, he or she would be inferior to the being with maximal power. Contingent omnipotence seeks equality with the superior omnipotence. This is why he or she can never exist because there cannot be two omnipotent agents.

There could be many omnipotent agents, but they are headed by a superior being. He controls their activities so they never conflict in their tasks. Hoffman and Rosenkrantz’s point is that there cannot be two co-existing superior omnipotence agents. This situation is similar to the relationship between God and the people. They people have power, but it is limited. Only God has superior power over everything in this world. His understanding surpasses all other creations. People have the power to discover things and make inventions. Technology has even attempted to create human beings and animals. However, they do not have the power to create as God did it. Their discoveries and inventions are limited because they are subjects to a greater being.

Two omnipotence agents cannot coexist because they would cause confusion to the world. According how the world exists, it clearly shows it is not possible for two agents, with equal power to coexist. Nature is organized and coherent according to how it was created. For example, biology shows the interdependence of organisms. If there would be two omnipotence agents, nature would be conflicting. This is because every agent will want to create things in a different way. This is why Hoffman and Rosenkrantz use an example of Dick and Jane to show conflict of two agents.

In normal circumstances, two superiors need to consult each other before they take a major action. A being with maximal omnipotence will feel undermine if he has to consult another being. It will render his title meaningless because superiors do not have to consult others. A superior is assured his decision is perfect so there is no need for consultation. This situation is not applicable in this concept of omnipotence. These philosophers clearly state God is the overall being with maximal power. Therefore, he can never have an equal.

Having two omnipotence agents would limit their power since it would be divided between them. This is evident in the example of Jane and Dick from Hoffman and Rosenkrantz. Dick can move the feather while Jane can make it motionless. If both of them apply their power simultaneously, nothing will happen to the feather. This means their power is limited since they are equals. There are things these two agents would be limited to do. This would show they do not have power over everything in this world. Reality proves there is a supernatural being who made everything, which exists.

Two omnipotence agents suggest having two Gods since they will have overall authority. This is against the doctrines of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These religions believe in monotheism, which is the existence of one God. They support their doctrines using the teachings from books of reference like the Bible and Quran. The Bible clearly states God is the only one who reigns in the world. He forbids worship of other gods besides him. Christianity developed from Judaism, and the common factor is monotheism. It is not possible to have two omnipotent agents because it would mean having two agents.

The world would be in chaos if there would be two superior omnipotence agents. It is only natural for them to try overpowering each other. Unfortunately, this would not be possible since they are equals. It is similar to Jane and Dick’s illustration, when they apply their power on the same feather, there is no effect. It could make them use other ways of trying to prove their power. As a result, the world would be affected, and the nature will be altered. In an extreme situation, life could even end. This is an indication it is not possible to have two omnipotence agents.

People in authority like to show manifestation of their authority. If there were two omnipotent agents, they would manifest themselves among the people to know. This situation does not exist so the existence of two agents is impossible. The agents would specifically want to people to know the difference between them as a way of competing who is better. This competition would be unhealthy for the world because it might go to extremes. However, the competition may result to positive on the people. The two agents will try to do positive things for people with the aim of getting believers. The people will benefit from these actions.

With all the theories and stories of creation, there is none recognizing the existence of two omnipotent agents. This is an indication it is not possible to have two omnipotent agents. Hoffman and Rosenkrantz acknowledge the existence of one superior being with maximal power. The theories do not mention anything divine because they are based on scientific knowledge. Myths and other traditional creation stories talk about only one God who is the creator of the universe. Other religions with polytheistic doctrine also have a superior God. This continues to confirm there are no two omnipotent agents.

People live by faith and believe what they want to choose. This is why there is freedom of religion and worship. No one has ever seen God or other omnipotent agents. It is a belief of their existence. Religion is a way of people’s explanation of the origin of life. They believe there is God, and He is powerful. Atheists also have their reasons to oppose the existence of God. Generally, the concept of divinity is based beliefs, which can be challenged. Through his omnipotence, he created the universe and no one can challenge his power. This is why Hoffman and Rosenkrantz there could only be one superior being with maximal power.

Hoffman and Rosenkrantz oppose the fact that it is possible to have two omnipotent agents. They have based the argument on the consequence of having two superior beings. It could cause alteration of nature and other major conflicts. This case is similar to reality people are facing today. It is not possible to have two leaders with equal authority. They will have a conflict of interest hence, hurting their subjects. The appearance of the world also shows there is only one superior omnipotent agent because nature is coherent. If there were two omnipotent agents, it would be divided and evidence of two powers. Therefore, there is no possibility of having two omnipotent agents.