God, gods

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'?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
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 oppo ...[text shortened]... elf. The question therefore arises in what sense are these entities to be considered as 'gods'?

Originally posted by divegeester
Are you seriously suggesting that any reference to the word "god"' as in for example satan thinking himself god, or the scriptures referring to "household gods" carries the same significance as Isaiah prophesying that a child shall be born and he will be called:

Everlasting Father (please note this especially)
Mighty god
Prince of peace
Wonderful counsellor

Originally posted by divegeester
Are you seriously suggesting that any reference to the word "god"' as in for example satan thinking himself god, or the scriptures referring to "household gods" carries the same significance as Isaiah prophesying that a child shall be born and he will be called:

Everlasting Father (please note this especially)
Mighty god
Prince of peace
Wonderful counsellor

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I don't recall mentioning Isaiah in my text, perhaps you can explain why its relevant. The actual question that i did ask and which once again seems to have evaded you is, in what sense are these entities to be considered as 'gods'?

Originally posted by galveston75
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 A ...[text shortened]... d?


"Wonderful counsellor" Why does this not apply to Jesus as the son of the Almighty God?

Originally posted by divegeester
I didn't realise I was not allowed to bring my own scripture to the thread and one which discusses god, I might add, as almighty and in other descriptions. Perhaps you should have this conversation with Galveston via PM if all you want is your ego stroked.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
what I wanted was to ask in what sense are these entities to be considered as 'gods'?

Originally posted by divegeester
I don't know Galveston. Why don't you put me out of my suspense filled misery and tell me?

Let me guess...is it because Jesus is not the same person as Jehovah by any chance?

Originally posted by RJHinds
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 galveston75
Good one Ron. Play with those words to make it work for you.....

Originally posted by RJHinds
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 carrobie
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 RJHinds
I would not say that, but you could, if you wish to say Jesus is a false god, like Satan.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
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.