I am curious, what explanations are there for the scriptures that affirm the existance of only one true deity, in light of Christ's affirmed deity (Jn 1:1, Is 9:6)? Other than the conclusion that the deity spoken of could be inclusive of Christ? (perhaps in the sense of John 10:30--"I and the Father are one")
Of course, this is assuming that the scriptures are not contradictory, which I'm sure many here would be quick to point out!
Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about:
DEUTERONOMY 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (39) Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (KJV)
DEUTERONOMY 32:39 — See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (KJV)
2 SAMUEL 7:22 — Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (KJV)
2 KINGS 5:15 — And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. (KJV)
PSALM 18:31 — For who [is] God besides Jehovah? And who [is] a rock save our God? (YLT)
ISAIAH 43:10,11 — 10 Ye [are] My witnesses, an affirmation of Jehovah, And My servant whom I have chosen, So that ye know and give credence to Me, And understand that I [am] He, Before Me there was no God formed, And after Me there is none. 11 I -- I [am] Jehovah, And besides Me there is no saviour. (YLT)
ISAIAH 43:24 Thus says the LORD, your ( AV ) Redeemer, and the one who ( AW ) formed you from the womb,
"I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone, (NASB)
ISAIAH 44:6,8 — Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Fear ye not, neither be afraid; have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. (KJV)
ISAIAH 45:21 — Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time: who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. (KJV)
ISAIAH 46:9 — For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me. (KJV)
16. HOSEA 13:4 — Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior beside me. (KJV)