Christians say, “God is omnipotent. He is all-powerful. He can literally do anything, including giving people superpowers, etc. God can do ANYTHING. He could make pigs fly with a snap of the fingers; he could create infinite universes with just speaking it into existence.” But, at the same time, these same people say, “God had to send his son to die because it was the only way.”
Okay, then God is not all-powerful then, lol. He’s not omnipotent. That’s literally the opposite of omnipotence. If God is omnipotent, then he literally had infinite options. In fact, if he’s this powerful, then sending his son is a really dumb idea and makes zero sense.
I don’t know if this comparison makes sense, but in The Flash TV show, when they were fighting a speedster named Savitar, there was a building with metahuman power dampeners so you can’t use your powers inside this building. Savitar was going to kill Iris West, so what would be the smart thing to do??? Maybe put Iris in this building because Savitar can’t use his powers inside it. Case closed. It would make no sense for this option to be here but then for Team Flash to say, “We know this easier and smarter option exists, but Iris, you dying is the only way we can stop Savitar and save you.”
See what I mean? Point is, if God is omnipotent, then Jesus dying wasn’t the only way. Jesus being tortured so he could feel all the pain of sin was not necessary. If you’re saying this was the only way, then fine, but don’t say God is all-powerful and limitless, because clearly there are limits to God’s own power.
I feel like I have to put the disclaimer that, although I am spiritual, I’m not religious. Anyway:
Correct. I don’t think many people, Christian or otherwise, really disagree with you here. I chose to drive 20 minutes to eat ramen today. Was that the only way? Well, only way to what, exactly? To feed myself? No—there are plenty of closer options with which I could’ve sustained myself, but in my picking the ramen, I now have satisfied that craving which I’ve had for a few weeks. Even though I won’t still taste the ramen two days from now, I’ll still be satisfied that I had some today.
In the case that you are trying to make a legitimate criticism of the story rather than the vapid “Christianity is stupid” posts that dominate this platform, I’d prompt you to be much more specific in what you mean by “way.” The only way to what? What specifically are you positing was God’s goal in allowing the crucifixion of Jesus?
Personally, I take the Bible as almost entirely allegorical. So if you want my subjective take on this post, it’s about as good as asking why Superman has to be weak to kryptonite.
Additionally, I’d suggest that you look into the idea of God as Logos. Your idea of omnipotency has been criticized before, mathematically.