Peter van Inwagen - Is God Perfect?

What does it mean for God to be perfect? Perfectly knowledgeable? Perfectly powerful? Perfectly good? Perfectly free? Did God create the 'perfect world'? That'd be hard to believe. Must God, in order to be God, be the greatest conceivable Being? Is there a difference between what is conceivable and what is possible, especially for God?



Peter van Inwagen is an American analytic philosopher and the John Cardinal O'Hara Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame.


Closer to Truth, hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn and directed by Peter Getzels, presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[omegabiker]

I think I'll always struggle with the idea of an all merciful God that gave me years of pain

[bobs]

Wow. Such complicated mental machinations! I find Dr. van Inwagen's conjectures to be a great example of the human need to create a "comfortable" God.

[Aguijon]

He is so perfect that he doesn't even exist

[TheUltimateSeeds]

If there truly exists a higher Being (God) who succeeded in creating the unfathomable order implicit in the billions of galaxies of this universe, then this Being is as far above us in scope and consciousness as we are above amoebas. And the point is that thinking that Peter van Inwagen might have a clue as to what God's true nature and motives might be, is the metaphorical equivalent of thinking that an amoeba (swimming in a drop of water) might have a clue as to what the true nature and motives of humans might be.

[ChildofGod]

Thank you for this beautiful message of encouragement. I knew the path that I choose would be a life of pain and heartbreak death slander and exile when walking the path of light. Trying hard to walk the path of light darkness has followed me. I’m a single mother with two boys both are autistic and non verbal. So I’m already so overwhelmed. My husband passed away three years ago unexpectedly from a car accident. So I’m all alone. I have no friends nor family. I recently lost my job over declining the vaccine. I declined due to my pre existing health conditions, lupus, and heart disease. We are struggling daily to make ends meet, everyday is a constant battle, the fear of homelessness with two young children. I’m so ashamed of my situation, but I know God will carry me through. I have faith. Thank you Heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus. This will make me stronger in my faith! God will provide abundantly.

[makeracistsafraidagain]

God MUST be perfect.
Nothing that doesn't exist has flaws.

[plainsman]

The logical position toward an extraordinary, supernatural claim is skepticism until proof is offered, and so far none of the thousands of gods that have been claimed to exist throughout history have lifted a finger to prove themselves. In fact, most believers grasp this for themselves - they automatically disbelieve all religious claims except their own, barring actual proof that never produces itself.

[docdaytona]

It would really appear that omniscient God or strictly physical determinism…

“We’re not here because we’re free. We’re here because we’re NOT free.”—Agent Smith.

[grijzekijker]

I believe the omniscient God knows where missing plane MH370 is located.
Therefore, I asked in prayer the coordinates but did not receive an answer.
Can you ask as well?

[thedude]

Why wasn't the most obvious question ever asked: How can something PERFECT create something that goes against it's intention?

[mauriciogranados]

A Universe is a faithful reflection of its Creator.

[whatawhatwhat]

First of all christians say God is all love so if that's true than that is an emotion secondly the bible says he creates both good and evil so that is another emotion which proves he is not all good and isn't all love. If God has emotions then how is heaven just all love and all good? It can't be that would contradict itself. Also if he created time and he does not exist him his own time of creation then there is no way we can communicate with him because he can not be in time and out of time at the same time this would have to mean we are in a simulation we are in judgment right now he is viewing each person's life to determine where each person goes.

[rc]

making the right choices in life is perfect enough, for many of us 🤔 and that coud be probable if one

a) knows all the answers
b) has access to time travel
c) follows the right path

Is there any other option...

[merrybolton]

Read the ten commandments I AM A JEALOUS GOD This is not from someone that is perfect . Plus he will curse not only you if you go against him, but your children and your children's children
NOT anyone I think is worth following

[stalkerno.]

How was God born? What was before God?

[scroopynooperz]

If one compares the Old Testament to the New Testament and one considers them both theological "canon", for lack of a better word, then one must conclude that god himself thought he was a tad too "fire and brimstone" on the first iteration maybe? The 2nd revision seemed much more conciliatory.

Thus he's /she's either perfect and just changes their mind a lot or they're flat out wrong about certain concepts.

[tdmmnrdrk]

So many people, learned, scholar or ignorant, keep making so many comments about God, doesn't matter from which path, they keep describing him, they say how God feels, how He acts bla bla since thousands of years. Every opportunity I ask them if they were personally contacting Him to be able to speak this certain in the Name of Him who is all omnicent and what not. Has not met any honest one saying yes. I have not witnessed either God's replying or confirming or rejecting any comment made on his behalf either. So it is fully upto one's belief. Belief means the path of " Either you take it or leave it." That is why it is very rare to see an accomlished God seeker in this century.

[stratmancruthers]

“What does God need with a starship”……Captain Kirk.

[MrZenerTech]

Is it just me or does nobody actually explain what it actually means that God created us in his image?

[davidbible]

So, how is the god being discussed not man defined? Any god for that matter?