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

[lforrest]

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. Correct?

You may argue that idolatry was rampant in OT times, but not in the NT.
Not according to Jesus.

John 10:34-36 NIV
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[a]?
35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?
Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Even the Apostle Paul weighs in on polytheism.

1 Corinthians 8:5 NIV
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth
(as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),

This previous topic by @RedFan brings up another interesting point.

Sweeping the Polytheism of Ancient Israel Under the Rug

The Torah is not a monotheistic manifesto. National gods were de riguer back then, albeit with the God of Israel being supreme over the pantheon. And I can't help but wonder whether this eventually became something of a Jewish embarrassment. With few exceptions, almost all English translations...

www.christianityboard.com

How many tribes are there in Israel? How many as indicated by Deuteronomy 32:8?
- What is the number of the sons of Israel? (12) ???
- What is the number in his heavenly court? (12) ??? Polytheism.

--- COMPARE ---

New International Version
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

New Living Translation
When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race,
he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.

The pagan gods are actually demons.
1 Corinthians 10:20
Deuteronomy 32:17

Demons are enemies to God. By worshipping demons people entrap themselves under their authority. Demons are subservient to Satan, and their ultimate goal is to usurp God on the earth. And in doing so they lead people away from their salvation, which is their hidden malevolence.

For that reason I differentiate God almighty from common gods by capitolizing the 'G' or not.

 

[St. SteVen]

The pagan gods are actually demons.

Some of the gods (small g) may not be demons.
Have you heard of the Divine Council? (elohim = plural)

 

[lforrest]

Some of the gods (small g) may not be demons.
Have you heard of the Divine Council? (elohim = plural)

Must those on the divine council be gods themselves? Why not close confidants of God? I think Jesus spoke of this divine council in Matthew 20:23.

We have a concept called the Godhead, which is plural. If Elohim shares the same meaning, very well.

 

[Jack]

Some of the gods (small g) may not be demons.
Have you heard of the Divine Council? (elohim = plural)

Are you a god?

 

[St. SteVen]

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

 

[Jack]

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

Do you think you're a god STV?

 

[St. SteVen]

Do you think you're a god STV?

Didn't you get the memo?

 

[Jay Ross]

Didn't you get the memo?

No but many members understand that you are not nor that you have a scripture based theological understanding upon which to base our trust or faith in.

 

[St. SteVen]

No but many members understand that you are not nor that you have a scripture based theological understanding upon which to base our trust or faith in.

Is that a fact?
Did Jesus tell the Pharisees that they were gods?
(why not me too?)

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

Psalm 82:6 NIV
“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’

 

[Wick Stick]

(why not me too?)

Well... You do not (to the best of my knowledge) sit in the seat of Moses. You are not a duly appointed judge over a tribe of Israel (I think).

The Pharisees were.

 

[St. SteVen]

Well... You do not (to the best of my knowledge) sit in the seat of Moses. You are not a duly appointed judge over a tribe of Israel (I think).

The Pharisees were.

And that makes them gods?

 

[Jack]

Is that a fact?
Did Jesus tell the Pharisees that they were gods?
(why not me too?)

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

Psalm 82:6 NIV
“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’

But those who don't trust the Bible are sons of Satan heading for Hell Fire.

 

[St. SteVen]

But those who don't trust the Bible are sons of Satan heading for Hell Fire.

Why did Jesus call them gods?

 

[shepherdsword]

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. Correct?

You may argue that idolatry was rampant in OT times, but not in the NT.
Not according to Jesus.

John 10:34-36 NIV
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[a]?
35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?
Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Even the Apostle Paul weighs in on polytheism.

1 Corinthians 8:5 NIV
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth
(as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),

This previous topic by @RedFan brings up another interesting point.

Sweeping the Polytheism of Ancient Israel Under the Rug

The Torah is not a monotheistic manifesto. National gods were de riguer back then, albeit with the God of Israel being supreme over the pantheon. And I can't help but wonder whether this eventually became something of a Jewish embarrassment. With few exceptions, almost all English translations...

www.christianityboard.com

How many tribes are there in Israel? How many as indicated by Deuteronomy 32:8?
- What is the number of the sons of Israel? (12) ???
- What is the number in his heavenly court? (12) ??? Polytheism.

--- COMPARE ---

New International Version
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

New Living Translation
When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race,
he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.

See the topic above for an explanation.

[

Here's a good video by Heiser on "the Divine Council" and the use of "gods"

 

[Jack]

Why did Jesus call them gods?

You really believe you're a god when you already admitted you don't trust the Bible?

 

[Wick Stick]

And that makes them gods?

In a certain sense, yes. In the Psalm being quoted, the "gods" in question are the judges among the people:

Psalm 82:1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

 

[Jack]

In a certain sense, yes. In the Psalm being quoted, the "gods" in question are the judges among the people:

Psalm 82:1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Many judges even now think they are powerful gods. Many belong in prison!

 

[St. SteVen]

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. Correct?

You may argue that idolatry was rampant in OT times, but not in the NT.
Not according to Jesus.

John 10:34-36 NIV
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[a]?
35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?
Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Even the Apostle Paul weighs in on polytheism.

1 Corinthians 8:5 NIV
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth
(as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),

This previous topic by @RedFan brings up another interesting point.

Sweeping the Polytheism of Ancient Israel Under the Rug

The Torah is not a monotheistic manifesto. National gods were de riguer back then, albeit with the God of Israel being supreme over the pantheon. And I can't help but wonder whether this eventually became something of a Jewish embarrassment. With few exceptions, almost all English translations...

www.christianityboard.com

How many tribes are there in Israel? How many as indicated by Deuteronomy 32:8?
- What is the number of the sons of Israel? (12) ???
- What is the number in his heavenly court? (12) ??? Polytheism.

--- COMPARE ---

New International Version
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

New Living Translation
When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race,
he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.

See the topic above for an explanation.

[

 

[Behold]

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

The scriptures teach that there is one True God, but there are many godz, including Satan.

So, what is "god".....that isn't the one True God?

Its anything in your life that has you under its control, that isn't the One True God.

For example...... all of your obsessions are a god to you.

A "god" is whatever or whomever sits on the Throne of your heart, reader.

 

[Button]

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. Correct?

You may argue that idolatry was rampant in OT times, but not in the NT.
Not according to Jesus.

John 10:34-36 NIV
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[a]?
35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—
36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?
Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Even the Apostle Paul weighs in on polytheism.

1 Corinthians 8:5 NIV
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth
(as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),

This previous topic by @RedFan brings up another interesting point.

Sweeping the Polytheism of Ancient Israel Under the Rug

The Torah is not a monotheistic manifesto. National gods were de riguer back then, albeit with the God of Israel being supreme over the pantheon. And I can't help but wonder whether this eventually became something of a Jewish embarrassment. With few exceptions, almost all English translations...

www.christianityboard.com

How many tribes are there in Israel? How many as indicated by Deuteronomy 32:8?
- What is the number of the sons of Israel? (12) ???
- What is the number in his heavenly court? (12) ??? Polytheism.

--- COMPARE ---

New International Version
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

New Living Translation
When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race,
he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.

See the topic above for an explanation.

It's an interesting question. The Sumerians creation epic is called,t
Enuma Elish. It predates Genesis by centuries.

In the Sunerian history, it is said their creator gods created the human race. And then divided the world among themselves. Each of the Anunnaki would be the god of that sector of the world. While one sector would be designated as the domain populated by just the Anunnaki.

Later, Mesopotamian history recorded their pantheon of God's known as Anunnaki, and flood stories .
These stories arrived in Genesis and those passages related to the Nephilim and Noah's flood.

It then makes sense God's priority in his laws would be,have no other God before him.

If he was the only God to exist at all, that first commandment would be unnecessary.

The ancient Israelites were Polytheists.

Yahwism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Polytheism would explain why Jesus would counter some of what was taught in the Old Testament.

I.E the eye for an eye passages.