Let's break it down:

1. Omnipotence Definition: Omnipotence typically means having unlimited power; being able to do anything that is logically possible.

2. The Paradox:

· If God can create such a rock, then there is something He cannot do (lift the rock), which implies He is not omnipotent.

· If God cannot create such a rock, then there is something He cannot do (create the rock), which also implies He is not omnipotent.

This seems to create a contradiction in either case, suggesting that the concept of absolute omnipotence might be logically incoherent.

Responses and Resolutions:

Philosophers and theologians have offered several responses to this paradox:

1. Redefining Omnipotence: Many argue that omnipotence does not mean the ability to do the logically impossible. For example, Thomas Aquinas and others have stated that God can do anything that is logically possible, but not contradictions or nonsense (like making a square circle). Creating a rock so heavy that an omnipotent being cannot lift it is a logical contradiction, similar to creating a married bachelor. Therefore, it is not a valid limitation on God's power that He cannot perform contradictions.

· In this view, the question is meaningless because it describes an impossible scenario. God's omnipotence means He can do anything that is possible, but this task is not possible because it is self-contradictory.

2. Semantic Approach: Some argue that the paradox is a trick of language. The phrase "a rock so heavy that an omnipotent being cannot lift it" is nonsensical because if a being is omnipotent, by definition, there cannot be such a rock. So, the question is like asking "Can God create a rock that is not a rock?" – it doesn't make sense.

3. Plantinga's Response: Philosopher Alvin Plantinga suggests that the paradox fails because it mistakenly assumes that "creating a rock too heavy to lift" is a task that an omnipotent being must be able to perform. However, if God is omnipotent, He can create any possible rock, but no rock is too heavy for Him to lift. So, there is no possible world where such a rock exists. Therefore, God's inability to create an impossible thing is not a flaw.

4. Augustinian View: St. Augustine argued that God cannot do certain things that imply imperfection, such as lying or dying. Similarly, creating a rock He cannot lift would imply a limitation, which is inconsistent with His nature. So, God cannot do things that are contrary to His nature.

5. Process Theology and Open Theism: Some modern theological views (like process theology) reject absolute omnipotence, suggesting that God's power is supreme but not absolute in the sense of controlling everything. In these views, God might not be able to do the logically impossible, and that is not seen as a deficiency.

Conclusion:

The general consensus among many theologians and philosophers is that the paradox is based on a misunderstanding of omnipotence. Omnipotence is not the ability to do the logically impossible, but rather the ability to do anything that is logically possible. Since creating a rock that an omnipotent being cannot lift is logically impossible (as it involves a contradiction), it is not within the scope of omnipotence. Therefore, God remains omnipotent because He can do all possible things.

So, the answer is: No, God cannot create such a rock, not because He lacks power, but because the concept is logically incoherent and thus not a genuine "thing" that can be created. This does not diminish His omnipotence; it simply reflects that omnipotence does not include performing contradictions.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5767375&forum_id=2)#49221008)