Can God be conceived as the greatest possible being?

I. Definition of the Question

Can God be conceived as the greatest possible being? This question typically centers on whether a supreme, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good Deity can exist and be logically upheld. Within Scripture, a pattern emerges portraying God as matchless in authority and majesty. This exploration will consider biblical references, key attributes, philosophical inquiry, and corroborating evidence that point to God’s supreme nature.

II. Scriptural Foundations of Divine Supremacy

The Bible repeatedly attests to God’s unparalleled greatness. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Thus, God is introduced as the eternal Creator, standing outside time and space. Other pivotal declarations include Revelation 22:13: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Such statements affirm an eternal, self-sufficient Being.

Throughout Scripture, God’s supremacy is reinforced:

• Psalm 147:5 – “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”

• Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!”

These verses emphasize the limitless power and knowledge of God, suggesting a Being of maximal greatness.

III. Philosophical Considerations

Philosophers have approached the notion of God as the “maximally great Being” through arguments often associated with the ontological perspective. In essence, if we can conceive of a Being than which none greater can exist, this Being would necessarily possess attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, perfect goodness, and eternality.

Scripture aligns with these philosophical conclusions by ascribing each of these qualities to God. The philosophical argument bolsters the biblical portrait, reinforcing that any perceived contradiction in God’s nature or character is resolved through the harmonious lens of Scripture’s unified testimony.

IV. Attributes That Underscore God’s Greatness

1. Eternity

God is described as existing before creation, transcending all temporal confines. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.”

2. Omnipotence (All-Powerful)

God’s creative acts, miracles, and authority over nature (e.g., the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14) exemplify omnipotence. Job 42:2 testifies, “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.”

3. Omniscience (All-Knowing)

Scripture indicates God’s perfect knowledge of past, present, and future. Psalm 139:1–4 reveals, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me… You discern my thoughts from afar…Before a word is on my tongue You know all about it, O LORD.”

4. Omnipresence (All-Present)

God is present throughout His creation, sustaining all things. Jeremiah 23:24 declares, “‘Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’”

5. Holiness and Moral Perfection

God’s moral perfection is declared in passages such as 1 Peter 1:16, referring to Leviticus, “Be holy, because I am holy.” This absolute purity is central to understanding God’s requirement that humanity reflect His righteousness, demonstrating His moral superiority.

V. Biblical and Historical Evidences

1. Manuscript Consistency and Reliability

The preservation of biblical manuscripts over millennia supports the claim that Scripture accurately presents the nature of God. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered between 1946 and 1956, contain copies of Old Testament books dating centuries before Christ. Their agreements with later manuscripts highlight the Bible’s consistent portrayal of God’s attributes.

2. Archaeological Discoveries

Findings such as the Tel Dan Stele (9th century BC) and other inscriptions referencing biblical figures affirm the historical backdrop of Scripture. While these discoveries do not “prove” God’s omnipotence by themselves, they corroborate the historical framework within which Scripture reveals Him to be the ultimate Being.

3. Philosophical and Rational Apologetics

Philosophers and apologists argue that the universe’s complexity, fine-tuning, and apparent order point to an intelligent Creator rather than mere chance. From a young-earth perspective, scientific and geological examples of fossil complexities and soft tissue found in supposedly ancient dinosaur remains have been presented as supporting rapid, catastrophic events, aligning with a more recent creation. These scientific discussions can be seen as affirming an intelligent Designer whose power and knowledge align with the concept of a greatest possible Being.

VI. Relevance to Human Understanding and Worship

Because Scripture consistently portrays God as wholly unique and immeasurably powerful, understanding Him as the greatest possible Being shapes both belief and behavior. Humans, created in His image (Genesis 1:27), bear responsibility to acknowledge His sovereignty and moral authority.

In Scripture, personal relationship with this greatest possible Being is possible through faith. John 17:3 states, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” The invitation to know and worship Him flows from His supreme worthiness.

VII. Conclusion

From a biblical standpoint, God is revealed as transcending every limitation, both in power and moral excellence, thereby matching the philosophical definition of a greatest possible Being. The manifold testimony of Scripture—supported by manuscript evidence, compatible historical and archaeological findings, and reasoned philosophical arguments—points to a God beyond all comparison.

This vision of God as the greatest possible Being not only emerges from the earliest pages of Genesis but resonates throughout the entire biblical record. In every respect, Scripture upholds the conviction that God’s sovereignty, eternity, and holiness define Him as supreme over all creation. Through the lens of faith, worship, and obedience, believers find that this majestic portrayal is no mere abstraction, but the living reality at the core of their hope and salvation.