Years ago, I stumbled upon a small book entitled Peace of…
““Years ago, I stumbled upon a small book entitled Peace of Mind. In it, the author wrote that he does not believe that God is omnipotent. He is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere at all times, but He does not control everything that occurs. He wrote that if he believed that God was omnipotent and controlled everything that happens—babies with cancer, innocent men and women slaughtered, innocent children raped—he would cease to believe and become an atheist on the spot. But he concluded that God is in fact not omnipotent but only omnipresent, meaning we do have free will and control our destinies. Yes, there are things encoded in us, perhaps through genetics, perhaps through faith, that we cannot control. Perhaps we are born for certain faiths. But within the parameters of these genetic or predetermined destinies, we have wide latitude. And that is why we need the guidebook called the Holy Bible.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author argues that God is present everywhere but not all‑powerful, allowing free will and personal responsibility while acknowledging some predetermined traits.
In simple terms: God is everywhere but doesn’t control everything, so we have free will.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal agency within limits.
Themes
free will
theology
personal responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- making moral choices
- coping with suffering
- seeking purpose
- interpreting religious texts
Key Concepts
omnipresence
determinism
faith
agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief in limited divine power affect moral accountability?
A Different Perspective
If God is not omnipotent, why do some still view suffering as divine will?