What are God's real powers and 'real power'?

I’m not certain whether you mean “God” in a specific religion, a philosophical concept of God, or something like “real power” as in influence and authority. I’ll cover the main interpretations; tell me which you want expanded.

1. Theological meaning (classical theism)

• God’s “real” powers are typically described as omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing), and omnipresence (present everywhere). Many traditions also ascribe perfect goodness, immutability (unchanging), eternity (outside time), and aseity (self-existence).
• Philosophical notes: Omnipotence is often defined as the ability to do anything that is logically possible (so contradictory actions, like making a square circle, are excluded). Omniscience can be understood as knowing all true propositions. Different theologians and traditions qualify these attributes differently (process theology, open theism, pantheism, deism, etc.).

2. Religious variations

• Christianity: God is often seen as sovereign — having ultimate authority and power over creation — while also loving and just. In Trinitarian theology, God is three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) sharing one divine nature and power.
• Islam: Allah is almighty (Al-Qadeer), all-knowing (Al-‘Aleem) and creator; divine will and decree are central. Names of God in Islam (Asma’ ul-Husna) emphasize multiple aspects of power and mercy.
• Judaism: God is the singular, creator and lawgiver, active historically in covenant with Israel; emphasis on justice, mercy, and providence.
• Hinduism: Divine power is more diverse — Brahman as ultimate reality, Ishvara as a personal god, and many gods (devas) with specific powers; divine power (shakti) can be personified (e.g., Durga, Kali).
• Other traditions: Buddhism largely avoids a creator-God concept; some branches have powerful bodhisattvas or celestial buddhas.

3. Philosophical perspectives on “real power”

• Metaphysical: Real power may mean causal priority — the ultimate cause or ground of being from which other things derive existence and causal efficacy.
• Moral/Political: Power can mean the capacity to achieve ends, influence agents, or determine outcomes. If “God’s real power” means governance, it’s sovereignty: the capacity to control or order the world.
• Existential/spiritual: Power could mean the ability to transform human hearts, grant salvation, or enable moral change (grace).

4. Common questions and tensions

• Problem of evil: If God is all-powerful and all-good, why is there suffering? Responses include free will defense, soul-making theodicies, limits on what is logically possible, and appeals to greater goods unknown to humans.
• Divine hiddenness: If God is powerful and loving, why not make existence undeniable? Answers vary across traditions.
• Compatibility with human freedom: Different views (compatibilism, libertarian free will, middle knowledge) try to reconcile divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

If you meant something else by “real powers” (e.g., supernatural powers attributed to saints, prophets, or mystics; or a request about occult/magical powers), tell me which and I’ll tailor the answer. If you want a short summary for a particular religion or a philosophical deep dive, say which one.