What Does the Bible Mean by “One God”?
Greg Koukl answers a listener’s question, “How can I respond to the Mormon explanation that when the Bible says there’s no other God, it means ‘for us’?”
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John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Not to jump to the defense of Mormon beliefs, but this answer seems to have a pretty overly simplified view about the univocality of scripture (i.e. "the Bible says…"). There are multiple places in the Bible where the existence of other gods are assumed, and the later you go back in the Biblical writings the more you have a worldview reflected of the reality of other gods, i.e. Psalm 82, Deuteronomy 32, 2 Kings 3 (w/ Mesha’s sacrifice to Chemosh being effective), the particular “landedness" of deity in 1 Samuel 26, 2 Kings 5, and Judges 11 to name a few.
Yes, the Israelites were monotheistic later on, and yes, ancient Israelite religion exults Yahweh above all other deity and is at least henotheistic, but it is widely accepted by both Christian and non-Christian scholarship that the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament portrays a developing conception of God, not a univocal one that always says, “I am the only deity” — it’s there, but it is a later development compared to the earlier texts which are more about God as the supreme deity worthy of worship, but not the only one.
The subject is complicated because people take a modern view and not the view of Biblical times.
We need to take verses and passages in their proper context. Sometimes it talks about there being only one real God; one true God. In these cases it is comparing YHWH to the false gods of the nations. Sometimes, it is talking about the fact that others worship a different god. (1 Cor 8:5-7). Sometimes we even need to remember that the Bible applies the term 'God/god' to Moses, Hebrew Kings, Judges, angels – even the devil.
So which God did Jesus pray to and worship? Who did Jesus call his God?
aren't semantic gymnastics wonderful. I think a book I read said something about "they will not endure sound doctrine". keep up the good work, .. and hang in there : )
Possible responses:
Is the Father a god? (Yes. Hold up one finger.) Is the Son a god? (Yes. Hold up two fingers.) How many fingers am I holding up? (Two.) So, how many gods are there? (Two, but we only believe in one.) So, are you saying you don’t believe in the Son?
Would you agree that the Greek, Roman, Norse, and Hindu religions are polytheistic? (Yes.) They believe in many gods but typically chose a favorite god to worship. Does dealing with a single god make them monotheists?
I have the same frustration with the sinner’s prayer. I can’t find it anywhere in the Bible. Why did Peter say “Repent and be baptized everyone of you, for the remission of your sins.” Acts 2 :38. Why did all 10 examples of conversion in the Acts of the Apostles include immediate baptism. I’m so afraid for everyone who thinks they’re saved by saying a prayer and what if they’re wrong and they stand in front of God and He says “I gave you a clear pattern. Why didn’t you obey it?”
These debates are so frustrating because everyone has a different definitions and set of attributes to a certin word that was taken differently to how we know it in its own context over 2000 years ago,
to say there are no other gods other then Yahweh is not biblically accurate,
The first commandment is you shall have no other gods before me. If there are no other gods how is that even possible?
Amen there are no other Gods but the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob manifested in the flesh through Jesus Christ.
Deut 32:16
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Note: Context as other gods being devils.
3:07 this encapsulates all the emotions one can go through when trying to reason with a Mormon.
The Mormon concept of God is an infinite regress. A question for Mormon theology is, “ Who was the first god and isn’t he above all other gods?”
This, in a nutshell, is what it’s like to discuss theology with Mormons. Reason and basic hermeneutics is out the window.
So demons, fallen angels and other demonic entities like Satan who were and are worshipped as gods don't exist now?
We are shown how the pharoah turns the staff into a snake so there's no denying the exodus event from start to finish is spiritual warfare.
So with that in mind explain Exodus 12.12 I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD!
Why is yahweh judging something that you say doesn't exist in the context of spiritual warfare?