How should I respond to this?

[Caleb]

In class, we have to write an answer to this question, a question which, despite being hypothetical, as a Christian, makes me uncomfortable at the least:
"If you were given all the powers of God, what 5 things would you accomplish. What specific actions would you take to accomplish those things?"
Should I feel that this is somewhat blasphemous? I personally believe that God's power is reserved for Him alone, and is nobody else's for the taking. How should I respond to this question, as well, as a follower of Christ?

[Sophie]

In class, we have to write an answer to this question, a question which, despite being hypothetical, as a Christian, makes me uncomfortable at the least:
"If you were given all the powers of God, what 5 things would you accomplish. What specific actions would you take to accomplish those things?"
Should I feel that this is somewhat blasphemous? I personally believe that God's power is reserved for Him alone, and is nobody else's for the taking. How should I respond to this question, as well, as a follower of Christ?

Okay, I would say...

1) I would finally let archaeologists find Noah's arc (giving them signs to point them in the right direction), thus proving to the world the flood really occurred so that they may ponder the fact that My Book, My Word just might all be true.

2) I would send a metor hurtling to earth, and make sure everyone ON the earth was aware it was going to hit. Then, 3 miles before it hit the earth, everyone would see my hand grab it out of the sky and throw it back up into space, thus knowing that I AM GOD!

3) I would let archaeologists find all ancient records and scripture, (giving them signs to point them in the right direction), that would confirm the Jews REALLY DO OWN the land I gave them, and no one else. Thus ending the debate of who really owns the land, and the debate over where my temple was before Islam built theirs.

4) I would stop all abortions, by having all the equipment cease to function and make the morning after pill not work, thus making these women give birth. They will either learn that child was a gift, or there will be many couples that have been waiting to adopt that will be very happy.

5) I would return prayer to all schools that wished to pray. Judges will miraculously overturn their own decisions, and athiests that try to take it back to court will not win.

These are the 5 things I would list (which isn't passing God's power to anyone) that would help return our country to the Christian principles upon which it was founded. Oh, and it would shut up the Jew-haters in the Middle East, at least on going to war over the land the Jews own. If they want a war, they'll have to do it on some other premise.

I suspect, your teacher won't like this in the least, but then again, I'm the confrontational type:boxing.

[G-d Seeker]

In class, we have to write an answer to this question, a question which, despite being hypothetical, as a Christian, makes me uncomfortable at the least:
"If you were given all the powers of God, what 5 things would you accomplish. What specific actions would you take to accomplish those things?"
Should I feel that this is somewhat blasphemous? I personally believe that God's power is reserved for Him alone, and is nobody else's for the taking. How should I respond to this question, as well, as a follower of Christ?This is for a college class? Which class? Is it an optional assignment?

Even though it's "hypothetical" couldn't you write a paper describing 5 things God actually has accomplished with His power? This would give you the opportunity share much of the Bible your professor is perhaps unaware of....

Examples:
"If I had all the powers of God, I would..."
1) design creatures after my own image & give them a choice to live or die based on the rules I have set forth
2) choose specific men through whom I would write the rules of my creation
3) have these men write of future events which come to pass by my hand
4) create an entire nation out of one man
5) come down in the form of a man to live with my creatures - become fully man & fully God
6) take on all the sin of my creatures & die for them so they may choose life over death

Hey y'all... I'm sure you could come up with a great list. Couldn't we come up with 5 things Caleb could write about? Any other ideas?

[Paidfor]

Do the powers of God include all of the attributes of God? By this I mean his holiness, love, and wisdom among others. Then to say that if you had all of the attributes of God but chose to do anything differently than what God has already done implies that God has somehow failed.

So, I see why the question make you uncomfortable.

[BHiles]

I don't think that I would ever participate in this. In doing so we presume to take correction to what God is doing.

The obvious next question is: Well why hasn't God done these things? Is He even real?

Dangerous.


When It comes to Why-I go to Job 38-42 Whenever I read these words I shudder to have been in Jobs shoes. God let Job have it. The very question that is asked of you is answered in verse 2 by God Himself when He asks who dare cast doubt on what God's Plan and purpose is with ignorant questions. . I would probably answer with this scripture. But that is me. :D:


1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

[PreTribber]

I don't think that I would ever participate in this. In doing so we presume to take correction to what God is doing.

The obvious next question is: Well why hasn't God done these things? Is He even real?

Dangerous.
Exactly! :nod

As a Believer, I'd tell him I ain't even gonna go there, and then I'd give him this verse.

Psalm 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God.

[FrankDH]

In class, we have to write an answer to this question, a question which, despite being hypothetical, as a Christian, makes me uncomfortable at the least:
"If you were given all the powers of God, what 5 things would you accomplish. What specific actions would you take to accomplish those things?"
Should I feel that this is somewhat blasphemous? I personally believe that God's power is reserved for Him alone, and is nobody else's for the taking. How should I respond to this question, as well, as a follower of Christ?

Tell them you wouldn't know how to use the power, and would need to ask God for guidance, since He is the only One who could do it right. It's not blasphemous to answer the question if there is a witness in it.

[FrankDH]

deleted double post

[Sajarie]

I don't think you should do this assignment.

[Tammy/Kansas]

Exactly! :nod

As a Believer, I'd tell him I ain't even gonna go there, and then I'd give him this verse.

Psalm 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God.

:clap

[PlentyGroovy]

I would ask God to take that power back because His ways are not our ways, He's the only one that knows how to be God. Anything I would do, He'd have to clean up and fix because my perspective is too narrow compared to His. I wouldn't even want that kind of power. :fear

[twelvesmaster]

You could describe 5 people (e.g. Herod, Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Saddam Hussein) who thought they were God and acted that way, and then go into detail about how horrible their sin was -- and the consequences of worshiping anything other than the one true God.

How much does this count towards your grade for the class?

[Caleb]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll use Psalm 62:11 as Pre-Tribber suggested & tell my prof that I'm not even going to go down that road. I also think I'll use G-d Seeker's suggestion & write about what He has done & what He has in store for believers.

[lookup]

I think if you fail to do this assignment you might miss an incredible opportunity to testify about God.

I very much like the suggestion to turn this around and talk about what exactly God has done with His power. Especially how He chose to leave the splendors of heaven and die for us.

It could also turn into a great Bible study for you, as you research how God has used His power throughout history.

[BHiles]

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

[Jeffebornagain]

I would hand that crown right back to my Lord.

[sixfingers]

This is for a college class? Which class? Is it an optional assignment?

Even though it's "hypothetical" couldn't you write a paper describing 5 things God actually has accomplished with His power? This would give you the opportunity share much of the Bible your professor is perhaps unaware of....

Examples:
"If I had all the powers of God, I would..."
1) design creatures after my own image & give them a choice to live or die based on the rules I have set forth
2) choose specific men through whom I would write the rules of my creation
3) have these men write of future events which come to pass by my hand
4) create an entire nation out of one man
5) come down in the form of a man to live with my creatures - become fully man & fully God
6) take on all the sin of my creatures & die for them so they may choose life over death

Hey y'all... I'm sure you could come up with a great list. Couldn't we come up with 5 things Caleb could write about? Any other ideas?


I just love this answer!!! :wave

[CaiperLane]

Okay, I would say...

1) I would finally let archaeologists find Noah's arc (giving them signs to point them in the right direction), thus proving to the world the flood really occurred so that they may ponder the fact that My Book, My Word just might all be true.

2) I would send a metor hurtling to earth, and make sure everyone ON the earth was aware it was going to hit. Then, 3 miles before it hit the earth, everyone would see my hand grab it out of the sky and throw it back up into space, thus knowing that I AM GOD!

3) I would let archaeologists find all ancient records and scripture, (giving them signs to point them in the right direction), that would confirm the Jews REALLY DO OWN the land I gave them, and no one else. Thus ending the debate of who really owns the land, and the debate over where my temple was before Islam built theirs.

4) I would stop all abortions, by having all the equipment cease to function and make the morning after pill not work, thus making these women give birth. They will either learn that child was a gift, or there will be many couples that have been waiting to adopt that will be very happy.

5) I would return prayer to all schools that wished to pray. Judges will miraculously overturn their own decisions, and athiests that try to take it back to court will not win.

These are the 5 things I would list (which isn't passing God's power to anyone) that would help return our country to the Christian principles upon which it was founded. Oh, and it would shut up the Jew-haters in the Middle East, at least on going to war over the land the Jews own. If they want a war, they'll have to do it on some other premise.

I suspect, your teacher won't like this in the least, but then again, I'm the confrontational type:boxing.

I like these. And then he could follow up with why God has done it the way He has chosen to....

[Caleb]

How does this sound? This is my draft for the assignment:

The Powers of God

If I were given the powers of God, I wouldn’t accomplish 5 things because I would hand that power right back to my Lord. Being imperfect & stained by sin, there would be no way I could handle the powers of the most Holy God.
Could:
I call into existence the sun, moon, stars, earth, animals, plants, rivers, mountains, oceans & human beings out of nothing by a simple verbal command?

I live a perfect life & can my blood atone for the sins of millions of people & can I die & rise again 3 days later, conquering the bind of the grave?

I prepare a home in heaven, glorious beyond all compare, for my followers?

Will:
I come from heaven, to resurrect new, imperishable bodies for the souls of my deceased followers to be reunited with, call my living followers from all around the world to me & then return at least 7 years later, after unprecedented trouble & judgments on the unbelieving, to defeat the armies of “the man of lawlessness” & bind up the devil himself from 1,000 years & during that period, earth will experience a millennium of peace?

I cast Satan himself & death into the Lake of Fire & judge the unbelieving at a sight so terrifying that even the earth & sky flee from my presence & then will I create a new heavens & new earth, absolutely perfect, for myself & my followers to dwell in forever & will those redeemed by my blood sing my praises for eternity?


I’m afraid not. "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." (Psalm 62:11 KJV)

[CaiperLane]

Wow.

[BHiles]

How does this sound? This is my draft for the assignment:

The Powers of God

If I were given the powers of God, I wouldn’t accomplish 5 things because I would hand that power right back to my Lord. Being imperfect & stained by sin, there would be no way I could handle the powers of the most Holy God.
Could:
I call into existence the sun, moon, stars, earth, animals, plants, rivers, mountains, oceans & human beings out of nothing by a simple verbal command?

I live a perfect life & can my blood atone for the sins of millions of people & can I die & rise again 3 days later, conquering the bind of the grave?

I prepare a home in heaven, glorious beyond all compare, for my followers?

Will:
I come from heaven, to resurrect new, imperishable bodies for the souls of my deceased followers to be reunited with, call my living followers from all around the world to me & then return at least 7 years later, after unprecedented trouble & judgments on the unbelieving, to defeat the armies of “the man of lawlessness” & bind up the devil himself from 1,000 years & during that period, earth will experience a millennium of peace?

I cast Satan himself & death into the Lake of Fire & judge the unbelieving at a sight so terrifying that even the earth & sky flee from my presence & then will I create a new heavens & new earth, absolutely perfect, for myself & my followers to dwell in forever & will those redeemed by my blood sing my praises for eternity?


I’m afraid not. "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." (Psalm 62:11 KJV)

Excellent work Caleb!

[G-d Seeker]

How does this sound? This is my draft for the assignment:

The Powers of God

If I were given the powers of God, I wouldn’t accomplish 5 things because I would hand that power right back to my Lord. Being imperfect & stained by sin, there would be no way I could handle the powers of the most Holy God.
Could:
I call into existence the sun, moon, stars, earth, animals, plants, rivers, mountains, oceans & human beings out of nothing by a simple verbal command?

I live a perfect life & can my blood atone for the sins of millions of people & can I die & rise again 3 days later, conquering the bind of the grave?

I prepare a home in heaven, glorious beyond all compare, for my followers?

Will:
I come from heaven, to resurrect new, imperishable bodies for the souls of my deceased followers to be reunited with, call my living followers from all around the world to me & then return at least 7 years later, after unprecedented trouble & judgments on the unbelieving, to defeat the armies of “the man of lawlessness” & bind up the devil himself from 1,000 years & during that period, earth will experience a millennium of peace?

I cast Satan himself & death into the Lake of Fire & judge the unbelieving at a sight so terrifying that even the earth & sky flee from my presence & then will I create a new heavens & new earth, absolutely perfect, for myself & my followers to dwell in forever & will those redeemed by my blood sing my praises for eternity?


I’m afraid not. "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." (Psalm 62:11 KJV)Nice Caleb. This will be wonderful!

[Ole Shosty]

Use your imagination.

How about something like this?

1) I would create a world of perfect beauty and populate it with creatures both beautiful and exotic. The last of these would have intelligence not equal to, but in the same likeness as my own to rule this world.

2) Seeing that they cannot love me as mere puppets, I would give them the ability to choose to obey me, or to follow their own will.

3) Seeing that they chose not to obey me, I would give them their choice - an existence of personal freedom, but at the cost of much toil and hardship.

4) Hearing them cry out for atonement, I would send my very self to them, and die just to bring them back into right relations with me!

5) Having experienced all this for myself, I would understand the love of my God and Savior all the more, and willingly return to Him both His powers AND my eternal allegiance.

Use your creativity, complete the assignment as directed, but in a way that glorifies God.

[Caleb]

It also was a comfort to know that alot of my friends from the Wheaton football team stood behind me in this, as well.

[PlentyGroovy]

I love your submittal :clap Let us know what happens! :nod