The Mormons misuse John 10:34, “Ye are gods,” falsely implying that Jesus endorsed godhood for man. This cannot be true for several reasons. It does not fit the context of John 10:24-36, where Jesus shows his equality with the Father and deservedly is called God. In contrast, the judges (so-called gods) in Psalm 82:6 were so called because of their lofty position over the people, but God rebuked then for their sins, and they were proven to be not gods after all but fallen, sinful men.
How this passage is to support the Mormon position is baffling, because Mormons say they are gods in embryo and they have not yet reached godhood
2007-06-23 12:57:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whatever they wish John 10:34 to say, it does not support their position. The Mormon can only say he hopes to become a god. Psalm 82 and John 10:34 are in the present tense, a distinction apart from their position. In fact, upon a reading of Psalm 82, it is wonder that Mormons would want to identify with the psalm at all. It says nothing good about these men. But if that is the position they desire, only the judgment of God follows.
Furthermore, the Mormon should be made aware that LDS Apostle James Talmage correctly identified the “gods” of psalm 82 and john 10:34 when he wrote, “Divinely appointed judges Called ‘gods.’ In Psalm 82:6, judges invested by divine appointment are called ‘gods.’ To this Scripture the Savior referred in His reply to the Jews in Solomon’s Porch. Judges so authorized officiated as the representatives of God and are honored by the exalted title ‘god.’” (Jesus the Christ, 501).
2007-06-23 12:57:20 · update #1
Taken from page 217 and 218 of The kingdom of the Cults book. by Walter Martin
2007-06-23 12:58:50 · update #2
Did you even read what I wrote?
2007-06-23 13:10:25 · update #3
Do not get me wrong I love all Mormons. Mormons for the most part are good people. I just think they are misguided.
2007-06-23 13:11:33 · update #4
That is one of the problems of a cult. You should take all information in. You should not just be limited to your info. I took a look at what most religions believed. I do not just look at mine. I read the bible and come to my own conclusions of it. I do not need anyone to tell me what I believe.
2007-06-23 13:14:37 · update #5
People can and do quote or misquote anything in the Bible to "prove" anything.
2007-06-23 13:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by James O 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When J Smith was 'originating' his version of creation, he was also giving deference to the 'fire and brimstone' preachers that frequented the western NY area, plus his exposure of the populist theories of the day. Smith was no whizbang college boy, but apparently soaked up a considerable amount of local news and folklore, and his imagination put it all together into the myth of mormonism. The scripture to refer to is not a recent 'discovery', it's been argued for a considerable amount of time. The brand-new United States was a petri dish of religious experimentation; most died out.
Mormonism cannot stand too many more factual broadsides before it morphs into yet another version of the "truth".
2007-06-23 14:01:18 · answer #2 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I prefer Paul's letters to the Galatians and Romans, where he told them that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
As for gods/judges, Jesus told His disciples that they would be judges in heaven, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. HOW that works, I don't know.
BTW, Walter Martin is NOT the best source of what Mormons believe. He couldn't give an honest answer if his life depended on it.
2007-06-23 21:46:40 · answer #3 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lets take this once verse at a time.
Psalms 82
I just reread this to make sure I remembered it correctly. Basically God is telling us who and what we are...and saying that we are acting below that. We are the Children of God...We have God in us...and we are gods.
John 10:34
Jesus is being asked about why he says he is the Son of God. He is quoting Psalms when he says "isn't it written" and that "Ye are gods?" Basically, reminding them the scriptures state that all of us are gods and all of us are the children of God...and asking them if what is written is so...then why do they have a problem with Him calling Himself the Son of God. Jesus was having to remind his accusers who and what they were and are...
See...we are all spirit sons and daughters of God. Jesus has the distinction of being the spirit son as well as the physical son of the Father...thereby allowing Him to accomplish his mission.
2007-06-23 13:08:16 · answer #4 · answered by LDS~Tenshi~ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where you are getting your info from is wrong. That's the problem. You are using sources that aren't from LDS people. That is going to throw you off every time.
Here is a website that answers this question. It is written by an LDS person, so you are getting what we really believe straight from someone who lives it everyday.
2007-06-23 13:11:52 · answer #5 · answered by odd duck 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/pTLIW02.html
http://store.fairlds.org/prod/pTLIW03.html
Here are some books on Walter Martin
I noticed you didn't say Dr. Walter Martin
He got his doctorate from a diploma mill.
Godhood or Joint heirs with Christ in the celestial kingdom is found in D & C 132.
You can twist and interpet the bible anyway you like it.
http://www.lds.org
http://www.mormon.org
http://www.fairlds.org
2007-06-23 15:57:03 · answer #6 · answered by Brother G 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋