2007-07-16 07:00:36 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Could be a lot of them. Consider Hinduism. Many, but they're all (as we are) a part of something greater. As the New Testament defines God as love, basically, it may be that the New Testament is more concerned with the highest state, whereas the Old testament is more concerned with the petty gods.
2007-07-16 07:08:09 · answer #1 · answered by Skye 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on who you ask.
I have seen some good proofs that the "no god other than me" was because the ancient Hebrews (like many people at their stage of development at the time) were not universalistic (my god is your god whether you know it or not), but instead were tribalistic in their beliefs.
This would mean that they recognized that other people worshiped other gods and that that was fine for them but only the god of the Hebrews was good enough for the Hebrews.
I have, also, heard some good proofs for the idea that ancient Hebrews had beliefs similar to the Zoroastrians but that that knowledge was only available to the higher members of the religious order.
Though the common people believed in the One omnipotent, benevolent god, in fact they secretly believed in a neutral omnipotent creator who ruled over two deities, one for good and one for chaos. Since there would be no point in praying to a neutral or chaotic god, they focused on the benevolent god, and no one but the high rabbis bothered with the bigger picture.
2007-07-16 09:21:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you read the entire Old Testament in context, it will become clear that God, the triune (yet unified) God, is unchanging and consistent. Most of his smiting, judgment, anger, etc. is out of love -- He wants to call people back to Him, and they are so steeped in darkness that the only way to get their attention is to allow them to fall. Think about it -- when you are being disobedient, sometimes you need your parent to do something drastic to get you back. Kind words and placations usually don't work. He spends a large amount of the Old Testament calling back his children so He can heal them. Read Isaiah 54.
2007-07-16 07:06:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question.... Well, God's personal name is Jehovah, which translates into "He causes to become." He becomes whatever type of God his people needed at different times in their history. Yes he was a warrior God as he cleansed the nations that were practicing such wickedness or as he protected his people from attacking nations. But was also a savior because he saved them out of slavery etc. This was also true of individual servants of God like Daniel and the three young Hebrew boys... like Joseph ... Elisha.
2007-07-16 07:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our simple minds do not understand the universe or creation. The creator, gave us what we need to be saved. If we can only believe in a Triune God with three persons in ONE God, much like a triangle one but three sided we may start to understand. We only know that God created all that is good. Jesus his only son was sent to redeem us from death. We know that the early Followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit to guide them after Jesus rose to heaven. So with my finite mind I cannot understand the Trinity but God personally gave me the Holy Spirit to believe. We can only believe and do our best and wait for the answer in the after-life of enlightenment and awe!
2007-07-16 07:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by hot wheels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible mentions a lot of false gods that people worshipped.
The Bible however is about the one true God, who has many personality traits/emotions: love, grief, jealousy, anger, compassion, pity, sorrow, sympathy, happiness, gladness, satisfaction, love, delight, pleasure, rejoicing, enjoyment, a sense of humor, etc.
Most people just latch onto the "God is love" phrase and say things like "how could a loving god send people to hell". God is love, but that's not all he is. This type of thinking shows a very shallow understanding of the Bible and it is commonly used as the first logical "out" for people who don't want to believe in hell. It might be logical, but it's based on faulty information.
2007-07-16 07:16:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As Joel C. says, "God has many different aspects." You could compare Him to your own father. A good father sets limits, provides rules, and enforces those rules in order to teach correct behavior. A good father loves his children, but sometimes finds it necessary to use harsh methods in order to teach lessons. If a child is in mortal danger, do you act slowly and cautiously, or is it sometimes necessary to act quickly and harshly. Let's say your child has run into a busy street -- that's the time for *action* not for parables.
A child doesn't understand the danger and is overwhelmed by the whole situation, but as the child matures, he comes to understand what it is that his father was trying to teach him.
Perhaps some of us gain that wisdom much later in life than others...
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2007-07-16 07:16:18 · answer #7 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God of Abraham tells us that He is the one and only God. He knows our tendency to worship wrong gods.
We have multiple personalities. God is the same for everyone.
2007-07-16 19:54:04 · answer #8 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just the one but it could keep a psychiatrist busy for at least 20 years.
2007-07-16 07:03:01 · answer #9 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the book of Revelation 22 Verse 18-19 If any man shall change the dumb content of the old testiment,, he will be slaughterd to death in hell "
2007-07-16 07:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋