Is the claim of only one God false? - How many gods are there?

[St. SteVen]

Was wondering the same thing and found this thread. I was reading Micah and he says in 7:18 ‘there is no other God like you’. And I wonder why he wouldn’t say ‘You are the God’ or something to the effect that there is only one. Then I thought about the commandment to ‘worship no other god but me for I am a jealous god and tolerate no rivals’. If He is the only one then the commandment is unnecessary because to worship a god you made up in your head is basically worshipping an idol and that’s a separate commandment

Another topic you might be interested in.
Welcome to the forum.

Is the Bible polytheistic? - Are there many gods, or only one?

We are all familiar with the first Commandment of the Ten given to Israel alone through Moses. “You shall have no other gods before [besides] me. - Exodus 20:3 NIV If there were other gods to have, that means there were other gods. Right? Therefore the Bible is making a polytheistic claim...

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[IronMaiden]

We recognize the one true God, creator of heaven and earth. Beside Him there should be no other.
Wait, should be?

Doesn't that tell us right there that there are other gods? How many and for what purposes?

How many of these entities in the spiritual realm are there?

In ancient times there was a god for everything. Literally thousands of them.

The sun, all the planets and some of the stars. Agriculture and fertility (human and animal), anything and everything.

- Does the claim of only one God ring true?
- How many gods are there?
- What are they?
- Do they have an effect on our lives today?

The Apostle Paul even used this to his advantage.

Acts 17:22-23 NIV
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said:
“People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship,
I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.
So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—
and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

[

Despite the belief that there are other gods, including those of joy, rain, power, stars, and whatever else a man may imagine, there is only one God, and that is our Heavenly Father. He is the source of everything.

1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (NKJV) 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us [there is] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and through whom we [live.]

 

[St. SteVen]

Despite the belief that there are other gods, including those of joy, rain, power, stars, and whatever else a man may imagine, there is only one God, and that is our Heavenly Father. He is the source of everything.

Which gods was the first commandment referring to?

Exodus 20:3 NIV
“You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

Did Jesus tell the Pharisees that they were gods? - John 10:34

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[c]? - John 10:34 NIV This interesting interchange between Jesus and his Jewish opponents (Pharisees?) leaves me wondering what Jesus was trying to say about his Jewish opponents, or anyone for that matter. Seems...

www.christianityboard.com

[

 

[IronMaiden]

Which gods was the first commandment referring to?

Exodus 20:3 NIV
“You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

Did Jesus tell the Pharisees that they were gods? - John 10:34

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[c]? - John 10:34 NIV This interesting interchange between Jesus and his Jewish opponents (Pharisees?) leaves me wondering what Jesus was trying to say about his Jewish opponents, or anyone for that matter. Seems...

www.christianityboard.com

[

so-called ones…man-made ones

 

[Bee5]

There is ONE God and He has several "roles"/offices/jobs/responsibilities/names

A person can be a grandfather, a father, a son, a farmer all at the same time , but are one person in different roles

Isaiah 9:6 tells us several "roles": of God, of father, son, counselor etc

6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.


Jesus is God walking in a flesh body on earth. The Father "role" is in Heaven, Jesus role was on earth at the same time .. different dimensions.

There is One Throne.. One King.. One Lord
There is ONE "spiritual" "Husband" ONLY
One Throne
One King
One Lord

The 1st and 2nd commandments are clear anything other than ONE God is idolatry and adultery against the One Living God

God has several "roles/offices", and can be Father "role" in Heaven in His supernatural body and Son "role" on earth in a flesh body at the same time.. different dimensions.

 

[ElieG12]

Jesus completely agreed with the existence of only one God to worship:

John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

 

[MonoBiblical]

Which gods was the first commandment referring to?

Exodus 20:3 NIV
“You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

Did Jesus tell the Pharisees that they were gods? - John 10:34

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[c]? - John 10:34 NIV This interesting interchange between Jesus and his Jewish opponents (Pharisees?) leaves me wondering what Jesus was trying to say about his Jewish opponents, or anyone for that matter. Seems...

www.christianityboard.com

[

I personally think it lame when Jews refer to idols as God or the Christian is a different God rather than say we misunderstand HIM. Idols are not Gods, and the Samaritans thought they could make models of the life-giving God. [g]ods are supernatural entities, not ideas.

The belief that idols are gods by Jews is shown in the account of the idols of Rachel's father. The Tanakh mistakenly calls the idols gods.

 

[St. SteVen]

We recognize the one true God,
creator of heaven and earth.
Beside Him there should be no other.
Wait, should be?

Doesn't that tell us right there that there are other gods?
How many and for what purposes?

How many of these entities in the spiritual realm are there?

In ancient times there was a god for everything. Literally thousands of them.

The sun, all the planets and some of the stars. Agriculture and fertility (human and animal), anything and everything.

- Does the claim of only one God ring true?
- How many gods are there?
- What are they?
- Do they have an effect on our lives today?

The Apostle Paul even used this to his advantage.

Acts 17:22-23 NIV
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said:
“People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship,
I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.
So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—
and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

[

 

[MatthewG]

There may have been other gods with Yahavah before creation of earth.

There is a psalm that suggest the possibility.

There are also gods on earth, like god of rock n roll Izzy Osborne fir example.




Ai;

• • Judaism and Christianity:
    In the Old Testament, the concept of "God above all gods" is prominent. The first commandment in Exodus 20:3 instructs, "You shall have no other gods before me,". This emphasizes the exclusivity of worship for the God of Israel, who is also described as "the great God, and the great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3). The New Testament continues this theme, highlighting Jesus Christ as "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Revelation 19:16).

 

[David Lamb]

There may have been other gods with Yahavah before creation of earth.

There is a psalm that suggest the possibility.

There are also gods on earth, like god of rock n roll Izzy Osborne fir example.




Ai;

• • Judaism and Christianity:
    In the Old Testament, the concept of "God above all gods" is prominent. The first commandment in Exodus 20:3 instructs, "You shall have no other gods before me,". This emphasizes the exclusivity of worship for the God of Israel, who is also described as "the great God, and the great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3). The New Testament continues this theme, highlighting Jesus Christ as "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Revelation 19:16).

Yet there are verses like these that explain what those other "gods" are:

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.” (Ps 96:5 NKJV)

“Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.” (Ps 115:4-7 NKJV)

The notion that such idol-gods were with Jehovah before Creation does not fir with those verses.

 

[St. SteVen]

Yet there are verses like these that explain what those other "gods" are:

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.” (Ps 96:5 NKJV)

“Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.” (Ps 115:4-7 NKJV)

The notion that such idol-gods were with Jehovah before Creation does not fir with those verses.

Are you unfamiliar with the Elohim? Or the Divine Council?

Why would God be concerned with idolatry if these other gods were not gods at all?
"... no other gods before me."

[

 

[MatthewG]

Yet there are verses like these that explain what those other "gods" are:

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.” (Ps 96:5 NKJV)

“Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.” (Ps 115:4-7 NKJV)

The notion that such idol-gods were with Jehovah before Creation does not fir with those verses.

That is just a perspective. Doesn't mean there was not. Who knows what happened in the beginning. Even the Devil, choose darkness.

 

[David Lamb]

Are you unfamiliar with the Elohim? Or the Divine Council?

Why would God be concerned with idolatry if these other gods were not gods at all?
"... no other gods before me."

[

I know that the plural Elohim is used to refer to the true God. Right from Genesis 1:1 God is referred to as "Elohim." The God uses the plural "us" of Himself:

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” (Ge 1:26 NKJV)

You ask why God would be concerned with idolatry. Because people sinfully made "gods" for themselves, rather than worship and serve the true God.

 

[Ritajanice]

We recognize the one true God, creator of heaven and earth. Beside Him there should be no other.
Wait, should be?

If you have been supernaturally birthed by the Living Spirit Of God, then your spirit should know that there is only one God....it can’t be up for debate, ......there is only 1 God and 1 Jesus.....there is NO other....so be careful what you post.....of course others will see it differently.

I’ve stated my belief.

 

[St. SteVen]

You ask why God would be concerned with idolatry. Because people sinfully made "gods" for themselves, rather than worship and serve the true God.

The idols were man-made, the gods were real.
"... no other gods before me."

[

 

[David Lamb]

The idols were man-made, the gods were real.
"... no other gods before me."

[

I don't agree. There is one God. The "gods" were only real in their man-made representations.

 

[St. SteVen]

I don't agree. There is one God. The "gods" were only real in their man-made representations.

In Ephesians we are told that our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
Who are these rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?

Ephesians 6:12 NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

[

 

[David Lamb]

In Ephesians we are told that our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
Who are these rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?

Ephesians 6:12 NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

[

I take those rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil to be the devil and his cohorts. We would not need heavenly armour to fight against those idols Psalm 115 describes as having eyes but not seeing, ears but not hearing and so on.

 

[St. SteVen]

I take those rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil to be the devil and his cohorts. We would not need heavenly armour to fight against those idols Psalm 115 describes as having eyes but not seeing, ears but not hearing and so on.

The devil and his cohorts couldn't be much more godlike than to be rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil.
They even had names. And some had their own temples. Baal, Molech, Ashtoreth, Chemosh, Artemis, and others.

Molech required human sacrifices.

[

 

[David Lamb]

The devil and his cohorts couldn't be much more godlike than to be rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces of evil.
They even had names. And some had their own temples. Baal, Molech, Ashtoreth, Chemosh, Artemis, and others.

Molech required human sacrifices.

[

Where does the bible say that Molech and the rest were fallen angels with Satan? Where does it say they were real? Take Baal, for instance. We have only to consider the incident on Mount Carmel to see the unreality (if that is a word) of Baal:

“26 So they (the prophets of Baal) took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. 27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.” (1Ki 18:26-29 NKJV)