LessonsObligation Beyond Capacity: Possibility, Ability, and Moral JudgmentQuiz

One objection asks: if God wills the nonoccurrence of an act, or knows that it will not occur, how can an order to perform it be meaningful?

The response distinguishes what is religiously commanded from what actually occurs. A command establishes what is required of the addressee; it does not imply that every commanded act must take place. Divine will and religious approval have also been distinguished earlier.

If every command necessarily produced obedience, the possibility of disobedience would disappear, even though command and violation are understood through precisely that distinction.

Opening interactive controls...

The objection from divine will and knowledge

Obligation Beyond Capacity: Possibility, Ability, and Moral Judgment

One objection asks: if God wills the nonoccurrence of an act, or knows that it will not occur, how can an order to perform it be meaningful?

The response distinguishes what is religiously commanded from what actually occurs. A command establishes what is required of the addressee; it does not imply that every commanded act must take place. Divine will and religious approval have also been distinguished earlier.

If every command necessarily produced obedience, the possibility of disobedience would disappear, even though command and violation are understood through precisely that distinction.