The Burrito Question was most famously asked by the well-known, jaundiced, anadactylic heathen Homer Simpson of good Christian Ned Flanders in Episode 16:13, Weekend at Burnsies:
Hey, I've got a question for you. Could Jesus microwave a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?It's a variation on the more standard omnipotence paradox, "Can omnipotent God create a stone so heavy even He cannot lift it?"
Since I'm asked this so often, I thought I'd address it here so all four of my faithful readers can have ready access to the definitive answer to this so-called "paradox."
Can the Triune God (or any aspect thereof) microwave a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?
Yes. God is omnipotent, and so may accomplish any task at His barest whim. This necessarily includes the Creation of a burrito so hot He cannot eat it (and its necessary predicate, Creation of a microwave capable of this feat).
Does this prove that God, who can create a task that is impossible for Him, is consequently not omnipotent?
No. Remember, in addition to being omnipotent, God is omniscient. And as we all know, knowledge is power. Since God is omnipotent and omniscient, and knowledge is power, He is omnipotent twice.
God can therefore use His first omnipotence to create a task beyond His boundless power -- a burrito too hot to eat, a stone to heavy to lift, an argument so circular even He couldn't believe it -- and then use His second omnipotence to accomplish it.
Glad we got that settled once and for all. Thank you, mortals, for reading. As always, I look forward to your thoughts in the comments section.
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