Final answer:
The concept of an immaterial God is not incoherent but presents philosophical challenges. It embodies the transcendent, perfect nature of a being greater than can be conceived, yet raises questions about attributes and contradictions in traditional theism. This debate encompasses various conceptions of God's nature and relationship with the universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion of God as an immaterial being presents philosophical challenges, yet it is not necessarily incoherent. This concept stems from the definition of God as 'a being than which nothing greater can be conceived.' Within this definition, the immaterial nature of God suggests a being that transcends physical existence, embodying qualities of perfection, omnipotence, and omniscience that align with many theological perspectives. The attributes of God being immaterial and transcendent mean that God exists beyond our material realm and our ultimate comprehension, as suggested by the principle that God is greater existing in both mind and reality than in mind alone.
However, this concept does raise questions about the inherent contradictions and the possibility of projecting human characteristics onto a being that fundamentally differs from us. The cosmological argument indicates there might be a 'first cause' or 'first mover,' but this doesn't necessarily ascribe the human-like qualities often associated with deities in various religions. The challenge is reconciling the immaterial and eternal nature of God with the dynamic, changing universe and the attributes of God as described in monotheistic religions.
The complexity of defining God, including the di-polar theism notion that God must balance control with the ability to be influenced by others, reflects the depth and variety in the human conception of the divine. The conversation continues to evolve, balancing traditional theism with critiques that have led some towards atheism or changing conceptions of a Supreme Being.