Originally posted by AshleyD
This is an age-old paradox but this is the best explanation for it I've ever heard:
The question is logically flawed because it's essentially asking can an omnipotent being fail? Failure cannot be a part of omnipotence by definition.
Being able to do everything cannot include being able to fail.
So the question itself is not logically sound.
I disagree, the question itself is 100% legit, and 100% answerable. But you are right that the point is he can't fail.
Can god make the stone? YES! It is nothing more than a
choice.
If he chooses the
law/rule that he can not lift the stone, then he will not be able to lift that stone.
And so now someone can say - well how is he all powerful if he can't lift the stone. And again, it comes to choice.
Once the little "riddle" is over, then he just changes the rule/law again.
So, only if he is unable to make the choice in either direction is he not all powerful. The power is all in the choice, not in the strength. That
is the riddle.