It appears to me that much confusion surrounds the term God or gods in the Biblical text.
Because we are monotheistic we usually think in terms of a single God, the most High, Almighty God, but the fact of the matter is that the Bible uses the term 'gods', for a variety of personages, not only the most High.
For example when charged by opposers with ‘making himself a god,’ Jesus’ reply was: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “You are gods”’? If he called ‘gods’ those against whom the word of God came, and yet the Scripture cannot be nullified, do you say to me whom the Father sanctified and dispatched into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, I am God’s Son?” (Joh 10:31-37)
Jesus here quotes from Psalm 82, in which human judges, whom God condemned for not executing justice, were called “gods.” (Ps 82:1, 2, 6, 7) Thus, Jesus showed the unreasonableness of charging him with blasphemy for stating that he was, not God, but God’s Son.
Other instances include 2 Corinthians 4:4 where Satan is described as 'the god of this system of things', who has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.
Indeed we even find the term applied to Jesus as in John 1:18 where it is written, 'No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god (Greek monogens theos) who is in the bosom [position] with the Father is the one that has explained him.
http://biblehub.com/text/john/1-18.htm
Thus it is clear that the Bible speaks of gods, whether as humans, satanic angels or the son of God himself. The question therefore arises in what sense are these entities to be considered as 'gods'?
-Removed-Oh my. So complicated for you isn't it.........Who said he is a household god? Not us. Must be your idea or concept.
He is NOT Almighty God who is Jehovah but he is at Jehovah's right hand just as the bible says. He has been given much power and authority because of his remaining faithful to his Father. So yes he is a God in our eyes BUT he is NOT Almighty Jehovah God.
"Everlasting Father (please note this especially)" Why does this not apply to Jesus as the son of the Almighty God?
"Mighty god" Why does this not apply to Jesus as the son of the Almighty God?
"Prince of peace" Why does this not apply to Jesus as the son of the Almighty God?
"Wonderful counsellor" Why does this not apply to Jesus as the son of the Almighty God?
Originally posted by RJHindsso you think its because they exercise power over men that they are termed gods, therefore we might say that being a god is tied up with having power or might. Thankyou Hinds. Can we therefore state that Jesus is termed a god because he wields a degree of power and authority and not because he is the same personage as God.
I believed they are considered gods because of their power over men, but they are false gods because there is only one true God, who is both mighty and almighty.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI would not say that, but you could, if you wish to say Jesus is a false god, like Satan.
so you think its because they exercise power over men that they are termed gods, therefore we might say that being a god is tied up with having power or might. Thankyou Hinds. Can we therefore state that Jesus is termed a god because he wields a degree of power and authority and not because he is the same personage as God.
Originally posted by RJHindsYou were not asked what is a false God or a true God, what you were actually asked is why these entities are considered gods, to which you answered that the definition of a god is that they have power. Is it therefore possible to be a god, whether true or false and not be the personage of God himself, this is what you were actually asked.
I would not say that, but you could, if you wish to say Jesus is a false god, like Satan.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieBut you must understand that there is only one true God. All other so-called gods are false gods. People can consider Kings and Emperors and judges, and Egyptian cows as gods and many did. However, they are false gods.
You were not asked what is a false God or a true God, what you were actually asked is why these entities are considered gods, to which you answered that the definition of a god is that they have power. Is it therefore possible to be a god, whether true or false and not be the personage of God himself, this is what you were actually asked.