Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
I find the forces behind Dr. Abel Damina’s actions to be both intriguing and somewhat unconventional, but that is their concern. As a philosopher, my priority is the truth. First, I must commend Dr. Damina for being rational and constructive in his critique of 21st-century Nigerian Christianity and its religious leaders. He has consistently sought to expose various truths, highlighting practices that have financially, mentally, and spiritually drained Nigerians. While his arguments are logical and compelling, some inconsistencies in his message need to be addressed.
While Dr. Damina strives to reveal the truth and reshape the Christian narrative, it’s important to recognize that he himself is not entirely free from the same sophistries he criticizes. The very deceptions he aims to combat within the church could also be attributed to him. My goal is to thoughtfully examine Dr. Damina’s finding fault with the statement, “What God cannot do does not exist.” Although I appreciate his efforts to challenge falsehoods within Christianity, I believe his argument contains contradictions that deserve closer scrutiny. I’ll explore these points further, offering more context and clarification.
To begin with, Dr. Abel Damina said God cannot lie, steal, or even die. Haba, isn’t this argument a children’s argument? attributing human qualities and choices to God is misguided. We must recognize the limitations of human language and the dangers of anthropomorphism. Describing God in human terms can lead to a diminished understanding of His nature, which is beyond human comprehension. We cannot assume God’s choices or limitations based on our finite understanding. Instead, we should approach God’s nature with humility, acknowledging the mystery and majesty of His being. It is wrong to attribute human qualities, characteristics, and choices to God. God is incapable of choosing to steal, die, or lie. He sits far above humanity and he does not share the same choices with us.
How do we even know his choices if none of us know him in totality? What we know of God is mere descriptions. Descriptions that are not even 100% correct. Nevertheless, there is one truth about God which is that he is perfect. He sits above humanity and exists in a state of perfection. Perfection doesn’t mean complete good without evil. When God kills it is a wrong notion to think what he did is evil.
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Moreover, it is essential to understand that God’s perfection exists beyond human constraints and time. His actions, though seemingly incomprehensible to us, are not subject to human moral judgments. When God acts, it is not for us to categorize as good or evil. We must embrace the paradox of divine power, recognizing that God’s ways are higher than our own.
What does the paradox of divine power mean?
The paradox of divine power refers to a philosophical and theological dilemma that arises when trying to understand the nature of an all-powerful (omnipotent) God. The paradox typically centers on questions about the logical limits of divine power and whether certain actions or situations can coexist with the concept of omnipotence.
One of the most famous examples of this paradox is the “Paradox of the Stone,” which asks: “Can God create a stone so heavy that even He cannot lift it?” If the answer is “yes,” it suggests there is something God cannot do (lift the stone), which would contradict the idea of omnipotence. If the answer is “no,” it implies there is something God cannot create, which also challenges the concept of omnipotence.
This paradox highlights the tension between the idea of God’s unlimited power and the logical consistency of that power. It raises questions about whether omnipotence should be understood as the ability to do anything, including the logically impossible, or whether it should be seen as the ability to do all that is logically possible.
The phrase “What God cannot do does not exist” highlights God’s supremacy and omnipotence. Therefore, I caution Dr. Abel Damina against reducing God’s power to human terms. God’s abilities are not bound by human choices or limitations. We must avoid projecting our finite understanding onto God’s infinite nature. The argument of a possible greater good suggests that he can do it based on the knowledge of the future which we do not know.
As a perfect self-existing being, there are no limitations, constraints, or even predetermination in him. He has no choice. Choices clearly show that one is subjected to certain options. God exists outside any choice, especially in human existence. As the first cause, we cannot label him with qualities or choices of man. He exists alone outside time and space. He can do as it pleases him. What God cannot do and does not exist is just an indication of his supremacy, omnipotence, and greatness. We cannot reduce God to the pettiness of choosing to lie, steal, or even die. Steal from who? Lie to who? Die as how? He is incapable of death. There is no death in his existence. Death is a creation of his, and he cannot be subjected to it. When we say “cannot,” we mean he exists and rules far above these conditions. He is far above every and any choice. So what he cannot do does not exist.
Furthermore, I appeal to Dr. Abel Damina to understand that the very demons and sophistries he is fighting might be consuming him. I do not know enough or anything close to his knowledge. Neither am I as old and experienced as he is, especially in matters of spirituality and religion, but Papa must understand that faith is a big, big part of Christianity and religion. I urge him to recognize the importance of faith in Christianity, which transcends human reasoning.
While scrutiny is essential, consistent rationalization may lead to devaluing the core tenets of Christianity. Religion is a path to spirituality, and Christ’s message emphasizes love, compassion, and salvation. Faith is not about ignoring reason but about embracing the mysteries of God’s nature. We must have faith. Blind faith surpasses human reasoning and thought processes.
Also, Dr. Damina must realize that the consistent condemnation of Christianity in our churches today, and its subjection to human reasoning, will only devalue the salvation that Christ preaches. If we continue to apply consistent rational scrutiny to our faith, we might end up finding it irrational and completely untrue. No religion is the Truth. Every religion is just a path to spirituality. Christ said, “I am the way,” not “I am the only way.”
I’d like to address the potential pitfalls of Dr. Damina’s approach. In his zeal to challenge sophistries, he may inadvertently create new ones. The very demons and sophistries he fights might consume him if he doesn’t acknowledge the complexities of faith.
I appeal to Dr. Abel Damina to be mindful of this danger and to approach his critique with humility and self-awareness. The aim of Christianity is for us to live like Christ, follow the truth, love our Father, and aim for heaven. There is no impossibility in God, nor is there choice in his being. He does as it pleases him, and his ways are way higher than our own. If we continue to think about him using our own reality, we will not be able to grasp a tiny part of his existence. What God cannot do does not exist. He is the perfect being of creation that sits above everything in life.
In conclusion, I reiterate that God’s ways are higher than our own, and we must approach His nature with reverence and humility. By acknowledging the limitations of human comprehension, we can embrace the paradox of divine power and the mysteries of faith. Let us focus on understanding God’s ways rather than reducing them to human terms. I hope this expanded response provides more clarity and depth to my original points.
By Oladimeji Animashaun
Animashaun is a philosopher, public speaker, author and thinker. He can be reached on X via @Asiwaju_Botem01 or mail via animashaunoladimeji1@gmail.com.
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