he could only have created the universe if he'd wanted to create the universe. My question is - why would a perfect being want anything?
2006-09-20 03:32:16 · 21 answers · asked by aurora03uk 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good question. Actually the answer lies in the history of philosophy and language.
In the original Hebrew creation account, as well as throughout the old testament, the word "perfect" does not mean what we have come to believe it to mean,that is, the state of being without flaw--
basically it just means "it's working"..."it's good enough"
With the coming of the Greek culture super-imposed over the Hebraic, the word becomes Hellenize to reflect the Greek understanding of idealized forms --a sense of flawlessness in an ideal world that mirrors this earthly world.
This super-imposition of the Greek ideal onto the Hebraic worldview is what is causing the problem in your interpretation. In the Hebrew understanding, the world is created to work, but is not complete--and what remains for its completion is the task of humankind, to populate it, to co-create, to form and live in relationship. In this view, God is not fully complete without a relationship with humanity and the created world.
2006-09-20 04:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by Ponderingwisdom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are two seperate questions. First, a perfect being would not need anything; neither to create a universe nor not to create. Second, this is not incompatible with the emergence of the universe. The hair does not grow on my arm because I want it or need it to, it grows because that is the nature of the thing. It could simply be the nature of the divine to emerge as the universe.
2006-09-20 10:46:46 · answer #2 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is only a myth and didn't create anything.He was created by man to keep their subjects in line.If you will really study the bible and take note of all the contradictions in it you will begin to see that this is just an ancient propaganda tool that was edited as needed to fit the needs of the powers that be .Why would anyone want to worship a cruel and selfish god such as the one portrayed in the bible?
2006-09-20 10:42:21 · answer #3 · answered by mercury9501 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well seeing as I don't believe in God, no one "created" the universe, it was all created scientifically, i.e. the big bang. To answer your question, the perfect being wouldn't want anything as he can't have anything...
2006-09-20 10:36:25 · answer #4 · answered by Chεεrs [uk] 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I reckon the question of the origin of the universe is in itsel deceptive.
scientists look for 'dark matter' that accounts for everything being held together and religious people explain it with their catch all anser 'God did it'
Far be it from me to suggest that as soon as we accept infinity of time both backwards and forwards, in other words there was NO beginning, the universe has always been here and this is the only reality, a reality of matter churning and burning, and also we consider geographical infinity, we can begin to see that evrything is held relative to everything else.
Here we are in the 21st century still clinging to notions of a creative act. Scientists still dance with religion in toying with the idea of a beginning, citing the 'big bang' or 'Multiple bangs'
The question remains: what banged ?
One reality. infinite in direction and linear time.
2006-09-20 11:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he doesn't create the world then how could he prove his worth, his power, wisdom, love and mercy. Like the first guy to answered he probably made the world so he can be worshipped and to satisfy his purpose. That's like buying a car and not using it. He has the power why not?
2006-09-20 10:37:19 · answer #6 · answered by St.Christopher the militant. lol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no on several count
"It is no defect of a great fountain to occationally overflow"
Jonathan Edwards
we were not made out of a defect of God, but from his overflow
and abundance
additionally I agree with the previous poster... a want or desire is not a defect... God may desire something and desires are not inherently defects... I may want the best for my children, that is not a defect but a good thing
2006-09-20 10:40:02 · answer #7 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you watch the news about the discovery of a girl child half human and half monkey, 3 million years old. I wonder what religion they had at that time. Did God exist then?
2006-09-21 07:14:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A perfect being is something that love their creation
A perfect being let's their creation have free will
A perfect being is there if their creation ask it for help
A perfect being will watch over you but let you make the decision
A perfect being is there for you
2006-09-20 10:43:54 · answer #9 · answered by Linda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a prefect being needed the universe to satisfy His purpose.
2006-09-20 10:34:53 · answer #10 · answered by Spud55 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋