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Can it be proven through unaided reason that God can't lie?

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Some rabbinic texts make the rather blasphemous (and bizarre) claim that God lied to Abraham in Gn. 18:13/4. >"In one case we even find **God twisting the truth** in order to preserve amicable relations between Abraham and Sarah and to prevent Abraham’s feelings from being hurt. Upon overhearing the prediction that she was about to become pregnant, Sarah laughs, “Now that I am withered, am I to have enjoyment—with my husband so old?” (Gen. 18:12); God, however, quotes her in Abraham’s hearing as having said, “Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am?” (Gen. 18:13), making no reference to Abraham’s inadequacy. This episode was used by the Sages of the Talmud as a proof-text showing that it is permitted to deviate from the strict line of truth in order to establish peace (BT Yeb. 65b; BT B.M. 87a)." - **Yael Shemesh**, Lies by Prophets and Other Lies in the Hebrew Bible, 2. Lies in the Bible (paper|Bar-Ilan University), p. 4. >"I BEING OLD — Scripture [euphemism for God] in relating her words to her husband alters them for the sake of peace, for she had said (v. 12) 'my lord is old'" (Rashi on Gn. 18:13). >"Bar Kappara said: Peace [between spouses] is a great thing, as even Scripture [euphemism for God] spoke untruths [baddāʾîṯ] in order to establish peace between Abraham and Sarah" (Bereshit Rabbah 48:18). The Bible doesn't seem to say God can't lie in a way that is completely immune to textual abuse. So, my question is, can it be proven through unaided reason (that is, natural theology) that God can't lie? I would like a detailed explanation that goes beyond "God is truth."
Asked by wmasse (828 rep)
Nov 25, 2024, 03:02 AM
Last activity: Apr 25, 2025, 11:34 PM