How many gods are there? (page 5)

godrulz

JWs are right to think the Bible is God's inspired Word. They are wrong to think that their sectarian NWT is an accurate, trustworthy translation.

Chariklo

JWs are right to think the Bible is God's inspired Word.

Yes, inspired, but not word for word inspired to the point that people sat with pen in hand getting dictated to, word for word by God. That's just not sensible.

The dictaphone theory is not how the Bible was written. We see the human element in the different writing styles of the authors (Pauline and Johannine styles are different, even in the Greek nuances). However, inspiration ensures the accurate recording of what God wanted to be preserved, even down to the grammar (with small changes affecting meaning in some cases). The lies of Satan and men are in Scripture. They are inspired in the sense that they are accurately recorded. Revelation refers to divine truth from God. It is also accurately recorded. Illumination is the work of the Spirit so we can understand and apply the Word. Heart transformation vs mere head knowledge is the goal.

truthseeker

jgnat

Godrulz, you don't believe that the Word of God can be corrupted, do you? The Word of God brought all of creation in to being. if you equate the bible as we use today as the unadulterated Word of God, and any error is found in the bible, you've downgraded God.

Remember that the WT doctrines were originally based on the King James Version. So you can't rely on "bad translation" for their error. They simply interpreted the bible differently than you.

godrulz

Inspiration, transmission, canonicity, translation, interpretation, etc. are all related issues. The non-extant original autographs are inspired, God-breathed, accurate. The wealth of MSS evidence gives us 99% certainty on the original languages with no doctrine or practice affected by any variant. Every translation has strengths and weaknesses. WT also used ASV, etc. They cannot defend their ideas from Jn. 1:1. Their sectarian NWT radically changes many Deity of Christ verses. Changing Spirit to active force in Gen. 1 is also brazen and indefensible. Translastions can be corrupted, but the art and science of textual criticism allows us to have an informed opinion on any given verse. WT routinely violates hermeneutical principles (art and science of Bible interpretation/application/exegesis). Jesus called the imperfect LXX (Septuagint) the Word of God and the Holy Spirit quoted OT LXX in the NT. There is no down grading of God to not have original autographs.

Interpretation is a bigger problem than translation (if we avoid fringe versions like NWT). Cults disparage the trustworthiness of Scripture and replace it with specious authority like GB, LDS modern prophets, Gabriel/Koran, LDS fake golden plates/moroni/BOM, etc. We have WT, Mary Baker Eddy Science/Health with Key to Scriptures (Christian Science), etc. The Bible, properly translated and interpreted is authoritative. There is a wealth of conservative Christian scholarship/commentary that is solid. We have the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word. Apart from Scripture, you have no source of truth about God and spiritual matters.

There is good and bad translation. We can take to task many WT interpretations and show from Scripture and logic why they are wrong. Those who blur distinction between truth and error cannot be helped and remain in ignorance. We are not infallible, but we can know basic, essential truth about God/gospel (perspicuity of Scripture= meant to be understood by non-scholars).

jgnat

good...bad...right...wrong

Splitting hairs and calling yours good. You're just not that convincing.

I also think you've described a pantheon of gods with limited powers, only one which is worthy of worship. From my point of view, that's a pretty primitive view of God.

godrulz

I guess I have no clue what your personal, pet view of God is then (so I can't communicate intelligently with you).

Finite godism is a false world view. God alone is worthy of worship because He alone is God. Anything else is a false, so-called god, not God by nature (Gal. 4:8). Monotheism is not primitive, but it is true (Christianity vs Islam, Judaism, Unitarianism, JW).

ixthis

We believe in one God. The Father Almighty. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And in the Holy Spirit.

- St. Athanasios the Great (297-373)

- St. Basil the Great (330-379)

------------------ From St. Justin Martyr (The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 1; Eerdmans pg. 169): "...it is better to believe even what is impossible to our own nature and to men, than to be unbelieving like the rest of the world, we have learned; for we know that our Master Jesus Christ said, that 'what is impossible with men is possible with God' (Mt. 19:26)..."

ixthis

Aaaaa nuts, I wanted to edit my previous post so forgive me for posting again since I can not do an edit after 30 minutes.

The question posed is, how many gods are there? Each person is replying based on their background and thought.

The eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one (triune): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "one in essence and undivided". The Holy Trinity is three "unconfused" and distinct divine persons (hypostases), who share one divine essence (ousia)-uncreated, immaterial and eternal. The Father is the eternal source of the Godhead, from Whom the Son is begotten eternally and also from Whom the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally. The essence of God being that which is beyond human comprehension and can not be defined and or approached by human understanding.

How many gods are there?

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