Does saying "MY" God?

Question

Imply polytheism?
To say "my" God, or "your god", implies there are other gods out there which are neither mine or yours. And even to say "Your god is a false god" is kinda contradictory. Why say 'god' if you dont believe in a god other than your own?

Or am I just over reading into this?

James O. Your not really proving me wrong with your analogy you realise? When you say "my" mother, you concede there are other mothers out there in the world. If your mother was the only mother, there would be no NEED for the word "my" in the first place. The relationship may be unique, but not the object in question.

Cheers!

Answer 1

Good point. There is one living God. When He said to have no other gods (small g) it's referring to any think you make or set up as being more important than Him.

Answer 2

Saying "My gods" would imply polytheism because polytheism is only committed when more than one god is worshipped. No matter what one says about God/gods, it is only when worship is offered that polytheism becomes a possibility if more than one god is involved.

To illustrate: Jehovah God is the term used by Jehovah's Witnesses to designate the God they worship. No problems. When they say "My God...." they mean Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth. One God. But then they go on to call Jesus Christ "a god" and "the mighty God" whilst insisting he is a separate identity - quite distinct from Jehovah. They only avoid polytheism by not worshiping Christ in practice. In theory they say they DO worship him (be defining the word 'worship' to suit their theology). The irony is that they cannot see the pitfall of polytheism! Yet they are not guilty of it because, in practice, they only offer verbal assent to the idea of Jesus being a demi-god. They are careful to worship only Jehovah.

Answer 3

For instance, " my god would never let all those people die. " When a person does this they are usually making a god that is to their liking. When a person does this, it is idolatry. There is only one God, the God of the Holy Scriptures. You can find out what God will, or will not do, by studying the Bible diligently, in prayer. The Holy Spirit is your teacher, your guide, listen to the Spirit of God.

God be with you
Evangelist, William M. Butler
Grace Evangelistic Ministry

Answer 4

I wouldn't say that. There are so many people who love God sincerely that they prefer to describe God in a possesive case. I believe it was doubting Thomas who even said after touching Jesus" My Lord, and My God".

Answer 5

You are reading into this.. There is only one true Omnipotent, All-Mighty and Eternal God.. and then there are false Gods.
When a person says my God, he means just that, the God he worships. Simple as that.

Answer 6

Does saying "my mother" imply that she is not my siblings mother? My family's mother is 'our mother" as well yet she is my mother in a personal relationship for each of her children uniquely.

Answer 7

"My God" and OMG are just expressions which constitute, in my opinion, the use of the Lord's name in vain. I don't believe that it implies polytheism.

Answer 8

Perhaps... YOU.... Need to Read THIS.... FIRST!

(Isaiah 44:6) So says Jehovah, the King of Israel, and His redeemer Jehovah of Hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; = = = and besides Me = = = there is no God.

Thanks, RR

Answer 9

I have to agree with Kidd,
has been my way of understanding this for many years<><

Answer 10

In my case that would be true, but in most you are probably over thinking it.