Jason15 wrote:Megacles can you show me a biblical verse that clearly states there is more than one true God? Please keep it in context of what is being presented by the author.
You're being quite manipulative here. Do you mean "true god" in the sense of actual members of the class noun "god," or do you mean "true God" in the sense of more than one YHWH, the God of Israel? When you capitalize God, you're using a personal referential title, not a count noun. By definition, a personal referential title can be a count noun, and thus cannot number more than one. That's like asking, "is there more than one Dad?" with the reference being to your own genetic father, not to the generic category "dad." So if you do actually mean the generic category "god," then I'll be happy to provide you with numerous instances where the Bible explicitly and unequivocally acknowledges the existence and activity of other gods the authors believed to exist and operate in history.
This has been pretty interesting to follow, but I think there are some definitional problems. I think it might help to define "God" and "god" as those terms are being used at various places in the scripture. What I think makelan is arguing is that LDS believes there is only one God, that they also believe that there are multiple gods, and that there is no Biblical requirement that one must reject belief in these other gods. The non-LDS Christians seem to be arguing that not only must one believe that there is one "God" but also that one must not believe in the existence of other gods. It seems to me that you agree that there is only one God, although you define his characteristics differently. So, how does everyone define "god"?
“The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.”
― Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 1951
You pretty well know my view, but I'll repeat it. I view any advanced beings interfering in our world as "gods". They are often characterized as angels and other things as well. I view God as the ultimate expression of this life and I believe these other "gods" are aware of them as well.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom
You pretty well know my view, but I'll repeat it. I view any advanced beings interfering in our world as "gods". They are often characterized as angels and other things as well. I view God as the ultimate expression of this life and I believe these other "gods" are aware of them as well.
Thanks, Tobin. Some questions. Is God a being? Is there more than one God? How would one distinguish between a god and a God?
“The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.”
― Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 1951
I believe that there exists only ONE GOD. GOD is triune in nature. GOD exists as a body, soul and spirit. Anything that man worships apart from the Only TRUE GOD becomes a "god" of sorts, but one without power to either save or answer prayer. However, such "gods" are a distraction. I believe that there are fallen angels, some in chains, and some free to roam and influence, as GOD allows. The fallen angels seek to possess living things, and unsaved individuals are in danger of such a possession. Saved individuals cannot be possessed; however, If they are not focused on GOD, they can be misguided by those so possessed. I believe Hitler is an example of a possessed individual. I also believe that Joseph Smith was very likely possessed. Hitler was used to try to destroy the Jew and therefore end GOD's promise to Israel. I also believe that Hitler caused many to become jaded in their faith. Joseph Smith was used to try to bring into question the inerrancy of the Bible among those NOT beguiled by Smith's rhetoric, and to lead astray those who DID place their faith in the Mormon interpretation of a god.
Jason15 wrote:Megacles can you show me a biblical verse that clearly states there is more than one true God? Please keep it in context of what is being presented by the author.
You're being quite manipulative here. Do you mean "true god" in the sense of actual members of the class noun "god," or do you mean "true God" in the sense of more than one YHWH, the God of Israel? When you capitalize God, you're using a personal referential title, not a count noun. By definition, a personal referential title can be a count noun, and thus cannot number more than one. That's like asking, "is there more than one Dad?" with the reference being to your own genetic father, not to the generic category "dad." So if you do actually mean the generic category "god," then I'll be happy to provide you with numerous instances where the Bible explicitly and unequivocally acknowledges the existence and activity of other gods the authors believed to exist and operate in history.
Jason15 wrote. Daddy Maklelan spank me then if I am being so manipulative. I don't think not. You know very well what I mean. I be thinkin you are the manipulative one with all the unnecessary blabber. Of course I mean Only one Eternal uncreated God in which the Bible refers.
Brad Hudson wrote:This has been pretty interesting to follow, but I think there are some definitional problems. I think it might help to define "God" and "god" as those terms are being used at various places in the scripture. What I think makelan is arguing is that LDS believes there is only one God, that they also believe that there are multiple gods, and that there is no Biblical requirement that one must reject belief in these other gods. The non-LDS Christians seem to be arguing that not only must one believe that there is one "God" but also that one must not believe in the existence of other gods. It seems to me that you agree that there is only one God, although you define his characteristics differently. So, how does everyone define "god"?
Very true. If one goes by what the Bible calls "gods," taking into consideration the context and rhetoric, deities constitute a number of different sentient beings, including humans. By the time of the New Testament they are compartmentalized and marginalized as angels and demons, but they are no less divine beings.
Jason15 wrote:Jason15 wrote. Daddy Maklelan spank me then if I am being so manipulative. I don't think not. You know very well what I mean. I be thinkin you are the manipulative one with all the unnecessary blabber. Of course I mean Only one Eternal uncreated God in which the Bible refers.
No, I honestly don't know what you mean. You're either capitalizing "God" just out of naïve habit or because you intend to fall back on the fallacy of that tautology. I don't know which you mean.
maklelan wrote: Very true. If one goes by what the Bible calls "gods," taking into consideration the context and rhetoric, deities constitute a number of different sentient beings, including humans. By the time of the New Testament they are compartmentalized and marginalized as angels and demons, but they are no less divine beings.
So, is it a kind of functional definition? Whatever the Bible labels as a god is a god that exists?
Okay, how do we distinguish god from God? Biblically, is Yaweh/Jehovah God?
“The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.”
― Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 1951
You pretty well know my view, but I'll repeat it. I view any advanced beings interfering in our world as "gods". They are often characterized as angels and other things as well. I view God as the ultimate expression of this life and I believe these other "gods" are aware of them as well.
Thanks, Tobin. Some questions. Is God a being?
No. I view God is a collective conscience made up of perfect, immortal beings. This is being ONE with God.
Brad Hudson wrote:Is there more than one God?
There is no such thing given my prior answer.
Brad Hudson wrote:How would one distinguish between a god and a God?
Beings that are advanced but have not achieved this final immortal state would be gods. Those that have been perfected and have immortal (likely synthetic) bodies and are part of this collective conscience are God.
Last edited by Guest on Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
"You lack vision, but I see a place where people get on and off the freeway. On and off, off and on all day, all night.... Tire salons, automobile dealerships and wonderful, wonderful billboards reaching as far as the eye can see. My God, it'll be beautiful." -- Judge Doom