Finite godism is the belief that God, while infinite in certain respects, is also finite or limited in other respects. This view stands in contrast to the more traditional concept of God as an absolute, infinite, and unlimited being. There are several key aspects to the finite godist perspective:
God’s Power is Limited
Finite godists argue that while God is very powerful, His power is not absolute or without limits. There are certain things that God cannot do, such as make a rock so heavy He cannot lift it, create a square circle, make 2+2=5, or override the free will of human beings. God is subject to logic and reason and cannot violate fundamental truths or perform intrinsic contradictions. This challenges the classical theist notion of an omnipotent God with unlimited power.
God’s Knowledge is Limited
Similarly, finite godists claim God’s knowledge, while immense, is not absolute or without bounds. In this view, God does not necessarily know the future exhaustively, especially actions dependent on human free will. God also may not know certain contingent or accidental truths that have no bearing on His purpose or plan for creation. This is contrasted with the classical view of an omniscient God with knowledge of all truths past, present, and future.
God’s Presence is Limited
Most finite godists maintain that while God is spirit, He has some spatial location and limitations. That is, God is not present everywhere at the same time in an absolute sense. He can only be present in one place at one time, though He may move quickly between places. This disputes the traditional doctrine of God’s omnipresence. God is spirit but still finite in presence and location.
God Experiences Change Over Time
Finite godism proposes that God, rather than being absolutely changeless, does in fact experience change and development over time. As God interacts with human beings and the created order, God reacts, adapts, thinks, feels, and responds. This implies a temporal succession of thoughts, emotions, and experiences within God’s life. In the classical view, God is immutable and static, the same forever.
God Has a Limited Nature
At the most fundamental level, finite godists argue that God has a real, finite nature that defines what He is. This nature sets the parameters for God’s capacities and gives Him certain limitations. God has a real essence that makes God who He is but also entails boundaries. This diverges from the classical view of God having no boundaries on His nature or being.
Implications of Finite Godism
The concept of a finite deity has major philosophical and theological implications:
- A finite God is more relatable and comprehensible to human beings, not wholly other.
- Evil and suffering become more understandable in relation to a limited God.
- A finite God cannot guarantee an absolutely perfect world, but can work toward the greater good.
- Finite godism supports free will theodicy as a valid explanation for moral evil.
- Humans potentially have more autonomy in relation to a finite God than an absolute sovereign.
- Belief in finite god may resolve certain paradoxes about God’s abilities.
- A finite God could be greater in some respects while less in others.
At the same time, finite godism faces objections from classical theism:
- A limited God may not worthy of worship as the greatest conceivable being.
- A finite God may lack the power to achieve his purposes or defeat evil.
- A God with limits seems more like a powerful created being than the supreme being.
- The Bible and historic Christianity present God as almighty, all-knowing, and transcendent.
- Belief that God has boundaries or limits may undermine His sovereignty and authority.
There are also different models of finite godism that hold God to be limited in some respects but not others. For example:
- Partial finitism – God is finite in His immanence but retains infinity in transcendence.
- Complex finitism – God has some finite qualities mixed with infinite qualities.
- Self-limited God – God voluntarily accepts constraints He could transcend if desired.
So in summary, finite godism maintains that God has real boundaries in such areas as His power, knowledge, presence and nature. This contrasts with classical theism which holds God to be absolutely infinite, unlimited, and unrestricted in every respect. The finite god perspective offers potential benefits but also raises significant questions and objections. Various models exist, but all finite godists argue logically that an infinite God is not possible based on intrinsic paradoxes. The debate continues between defenders of a finite God and those upholding God’s absolute infinity.
Key Biblical Passages Referenced
Here are some key Bible verses relevant to the discussion of God’s limitations or boundaries:
- Jeremiah 32:27 – “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” (suggests some limits)
- Matthew 19:26 – “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (but not intrinsically contradictory)
- Acts 15:18 – “Known to God from eternity are all his works.” (but does He know future free will decisions?)
- Hebrews 4:13 – “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (but does He choose to limit His sight?)
- 1 Kings 8:27 – “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (suggests God’s spatial limitations)
- Psalm 139:7-10 – “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (or is God spatially limited?)
- Malachi 3:6 – “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (or does God experience change over time?)
- Numbers 23:19 – “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (or does God change His mind?)
As evidenced above, some verses imply limits on God while others seem to ascribe unlimited qualities. There are proof texts on both sides of the debate over whether God is infinite and immutable versus finite and dynamic. The finite godist argument relies more heavily on philosophical reasoning that true infinity is a logical impossibility. Regardless of one’s conclusions, it is clear this is a deep, difficult topic deserving careful study and discussion of both the biblical texts and philosophical arguments.
