The Omnipotence of God & a Five-year-old

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Some of you will remember that my oldest is five years old (Brayden Wesley).

He, his twin sisters, and I went out shopping and had to stop for a train in front of us. As it went by, Brenna (3 yrs) said, "Wow...that's big and heavy." Brayden thought about that for a second and tested me, "Daddy, do you know who can pick up all the heavy things in the world?", to which I obviously replied, "God?". He was impressed with my knowledge.

It was silent for a minute or so and then Brayden pondered out loud, "But what if there's a rock that's bigger than him?" Now, masculine pronouns aside, I have not ever spoken with Brayden about this concept. I suppose that it may have come up in Sunday School (we'll have to check with his awesome teacher). After choking for a second at his question, I said back, "Well...what do you think?" He said, "I asked you. What do you think?"

We settled on the idea that there cannot be a rock bigger than God (for now).

[Mike Schutz]

I remember listening to a conversation taking place in the back seat of the car as Carissa (aged 7) was explaining the Trinity to Luke (age 5). Fascinating stuff.

Jeremy, the best thing about your interaction is that it was the most natural thing in the world. Way to create an environment!

(I only wish I had done as good a job creating an environment in which my kids and I felt comfortable talking about sex. Failed on that one - but that's a story for another forum.)

[John Kennedy]

Some of you will remember that my oldest is five years old (Brayden Wesley).

He, his twin sisters, and I went out shopping and had to stop for a train in front of us. As it went by, Brenna (3 yrs) said, "Wow...that's big and heavy." Brayden thought about that for a second and tested me, "Daddy, do you know who can pick up all the heavy things in the world?", to which I obviously replied, "God?". He was impressed with my knowledge.

It was silent for a minute or so and then Brayden pondered out loud, "But what if there's a rock that's bigger than him?" Now, masculine pronouns aside, I have not ever spoken with Brayden about this concept. I suppose that it may have come up in Sunday School (we'll have to check with his awesome teacher). After choking for a second at his question, I said back, "Well...what do you think?" He said, "I asked you. What do you think?"

We settled on the idea that there cannot be a rock bigger than God (for now).

That takes me back to the Bethany college dorm debate that was never, to my knowledge, satisfactorily resolved: could God make a rock so big he couldn't move it.
Some, of a more philosophical bent, would engage in this discussion. Others abstained, saying it took up too much time which could've been used playing Rook.
It can truly be said that a Christian higher education certainly helps in clarying values and priorities.

[Shea Zellweger]

That takes me back to the Bethany college dorm debate that was never, to my knowledge, satisfactorily resolved: could God make a rock so big he couldn't move it.
Some, of a more philosophical bent, would engage in this discussion. Others abstained, saying it took up too much time which could've been used playing Rook.
It can truly be said that a Christian higher education certainly helps in clarying values and priorities.

And others acknowledged that even God cannot achieve such a paradox and moved on :).

[Roland Hearn]

That takes me back to the Bethany college dorm debate that was never, to my knowledge, satisfactorily resolved: could God make a rock so big he couldn't move it.
Some, of a more philosophical bent, would engage in this discussion. Others abstained, saying it took up too much time which could've been used playing Rook.
It can truly be said that a Christian higher education certainly helps in clarying values and priorities.

Actually when you think about it there is no dilemma. God is always by definition more than the physical, the created. If the entire universe was contained in a speck so massive it cannot be described in the instant before time began then the answer is a quick and simple "no" He cannot make such a rock. It is only the simple inane philosophies of men that would think that was a limit or in someway confounding. If one thing is infinitely more than another than it is always going to be more by definition.

[Marsha Lynn]

I suppose that it may have come up in Sunday School (we'll have to check with his awesome teacher).

I have read that the kindergarten Sunday School teacher needs to be the best theologian in the church. The one Sunday ever I taught that age group one of the students asked me, "If Jesus was God who did he pray to?" I guess I should have had a full kindergarten-level lecture on the trinity prepared. Who knew?

Someday, but not today, I'll tell again my story about discussing death and heaven with a precocious 3-year-old. Parents really need to be warned before these things come up so they can be better prepared!

Marsha

[David Pettigrew]

Hannah asked me the other night where we go when we die. I don't really think she even understands what death is, and I really don't want to mess this up. Somehow just saying "Heaven" doesn't seem right.

She asked me this while we were watching Shark Week. Maybe that was my first mistake.

[Billie Goodson]

I had to explain to a 7-year old that her hamster had died... This was taking place right after church. I was trying to be a sincere and sensitive as I could. In the conversation I was trying to convey that dying was a natural thing -- things (people/animals) live and they die. I asked my daughter if she know what happens when we get really sick and we are struggling so hard to live. I asked her what she thought happened.... She said, "Dial 911"! I think William Shatner would have been proud, but the sensitive moment was destroyed. I had to tell her that it was a little late, even for 911.

[Billie Goodson]

Hannah asked me the other night where we go when we die. I don't really think she even understands what death is, and I really don't want to mess this up. Somehow just saying "Heaven" doesn't seem right.

She asked me this while we were watching Shark Week. Maybe that was my first mistake.

Sermon series on Jonah coming up?