We claim that God is omnipotent. By “omnipotent” we mean He is able to bring into existence any possible essence. In arguing for omnipotence we say:

    • The potential for the emergence of any possible essence is beginningless.
    • If the potential for the emergence of any possible essence is beginningless, then God can bring into existence any possible essence.
    • Therefore, God can bring into existence any possible essence.

Premise 1: The potential for the emergence of any possible essence is beginningless.

The potential for the existence of possible essences is either emergent or beginningless. 

If emergent, then possible essences did not accept existence before the emergence of this potential. Entailing that possible essences were not possible essences before the emergence of this potential[1]. This is a violation of identity, and so is impossible.

Thus, the potential for the existence of any possible essences is beginningless.

Premise 2: If the potential for the emergence of any possible essence is beginningless, then God can bring into existence any possible essence.

If the potential for the existence of any possible essence is beginningless, then there must exist at least one beginningless being who is able to bring this possible essence into existence. 

This is because of it being impossible for a possible essence to accept existence, without there already existing a being with the ability to actualize this potential[2]. So since the potential is beginningless, then the being with the ability to actualize this potential must also be beginningless.

And given that God is the only beginningless being[3], then God is that being who is able to bring into existence any possible essence.

Therefore, God can bring into existence any possible essence.

Thus, God can bring into existence any possible essence. And since the ability to bring into existence any possible essence is what we mean when we say “omnipotence”, God is necessarily omnipotent[4].


 

[1] Since possible essences accept existence by virtue of what they are. So if the potential for their existence were emergent, then they were not possible essences before the emergence of this potential. More on the transformation of realities here.

[2] For if there was no being with the ability to bring a possible essence into existence, then that possible essence would not accept existence. This is because a specification cannot emerge into existence without a specifier.

[3] Since God is the only necessary being, and all non-necessary existents are emergent. More on this here.

[4] This same argument is proof that God’s Will pertains to all possible essences as well. Meaning: He is able to will existence for any possible essence.

This is because God’s ability to bring something into existence, is proof that He can will for it to exist. So given that He can bring any possible essence into existence, then He can will for any possible essence to exist.

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