Christianity was birthed in a polytheistic world, inheriting from Jewish roots the concept of one G-d. Now, instead of one God for Israel, we are offered one God for the whole world. Caesar (mortal men) was declared a god. Gods had powers beyond ordinary men, could grant requests, and demanded sacrifice and worship. So in imperial Rome, citizens and conquered were required to revere their conquering King. Christians would not, hence the early years of persecution.
In this polytheistic framework, what would be made of one G-d, creator of the world, disembodied, residing in the spiritual realm, all-powerful, all knowing? Would this make all other gods simply the manufacture of man with no inherent power?
Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. Psalm 115 2:-8
Setting the trinity debate aside for a moment, how many gods does a Christian believe in?
· If there is one God, can we claim that there are also lower-case gods, disembodied spirits with powers greater than man, influencing man and demanding worship?
· Can angels and fallen angels be considered gods by this definition?
· What of the gods worshipped by Israel’s neighbours?
· In modern times, what gods are other religions serving? Are they manufactures of men, minor spirits with supernatural powers and personalities, or a perception of the one G-d different than ours?
I’ll take the stand (based on belief not on empirical evidence) that there is only one G-d; no minor gods.
This is a question godrulz bypassed, so I suspect it is a weakness in his theology.