I think Einstein and Nels Bohr settled the argument of people putting limitations on God. God is beyond rationality. Therefore the tools of rationality (argument) are inappropriate in the discussions. Believing is also not part of rationality. The idea of whether or not God could lie, presupposes that we could understand the mind of God. I stop at the idea we could fully and wholly understand the mind of God, and make a judgement.
Not sure if there is much more to say on the topic.
DK
This came up in one of our “stump the pastor” Q&A’s.
Can God lie?
The answer was yes, in certain situations when it is for a tactical reason.
For example, God tells Moses to ask Pharaoh to let his people go out to the desert to worship for three days, but both knowing full well it was for them to escape Egypt.
EXODUS 3:
“Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’”
Another example is when the disciples ask Jesus to join them to go to the temple.
John 7:
“You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.”
So, just as it is not unethical to lie or deceive your enemy in battle, it was not unethical for God or Jesus to lie (or have Moses lie).
I hear what you are saying, and though I agree that no human being can fully comprehend all who and what God is, He is the source of rationality, logic, and reason. He also imparted that ability to His human creation. Of course He often defies logic and reason for His purposes, but for the most part, He has revealed Himself to us in Scripture in rational ways, perceptible ways, and in language we can comprehend. He has revealed, in Scripture that His character exhibits the following traits:
1. Hebrews 6:17-18. People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
2. Titus 1:1-2. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
3. Numbers 23:19. God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
4. I Samuel 15:29. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
5. Isaiah 1:18. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
My point is that God uses rationality to reveal Himself - you expressed your view using a reasoned argument. So, it appears from Scripture God has limited Himself because of His character, His nature. So, I would not say God is beyond rationality, but that there are certain attributes of God that are beyond complete human comprehension. Does that make sense? By the way, hope you and you’re family are well and safe.