Thanks for clarifying & sorry for the misunderstanding. I am on my own quest to figure things out & am a work in progress.FrankOne wrote: ↑September 11th, 2022, 4:04 pmIf you started off as a rebuttal to what I said: I didn't say that the spirit can't work between people. I didn't say that anyone could be 100% objective. I totally am in accord with you on questioning our idea of God.Thinker wrote: ↑September 10th, 2022, 5:57 pm I don’t know a single person never spiritually influenced by others. And I don’t know anyone who thinks 100% objectively. Scriptures - including those above - are writings of men. Many assume they are true, or another religious doctrine is true - but maybe (probably) it’s not 100% true - especially considering how often religion has been used to manipulate, steal & kill.
My point is to question even our ideas of God. Don’t give up faith - but don’t keep running with a faith that is misguided (Eg: faith in leaders who supposedly act for GOD & “will never lead us astray” etc). Also, there needs to be more practice with inner discernment to distinguish between one’s emotions (fears/desires etc) & the Spirit.
In no way am I suggesting I have mastered this. I’m just beginning - and have so much to learn!
The first question might be: Why all the OT scripture references which mention multiple Gods? Then we have many other ancient texts which mention the variety of Gods and their positions at different levels of existence. The title of "God" itself is very ambiguous. I am not suggesting in the least that mocking any God would be wise and in fact, my position is that it would be very unwise.
The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ seem to be the most resolute sources for guidance.
What do you mean by “OT scripture references which mention multiple Gods”? Maybe it has something to do with how much of the Bible has borrowed from Greek mythology…
*Pandora opening box releasing evil, like Eve taking fruit
*Zeus destroyed everything with a great flood - like later Noah story
*Similar wars and battles
*Hades (god of the underworld) in Acts 2:27 is incorrectly associated with hell
*Unicorns are mentioned in Numbers 23:22, Job 39:9-10 & Psalms 92:10
*Brother against brother stories
*Odysseus was a carpenter and acquainted with grief and sorrow, had to hide himself when he returned home.
*Similar emphasis on #s: 3 Fates, Cronus overthrown by 3 sons... Bible: 3 wise men, Holy Trinity. 12 gods of Olympus... 12 disciples of Christ.
I wish that scriptures were not gods to so many, & yet I have also put excessive trust in them. After studying history of how the Bible was canonized & other Christian origins, I cannot accept it all just like I don’t accept an entire political party belief package. There is good - but also bad - in scriptures. Imagine if we all sought truth wherever it’s found, rather than putting some literature (scripture) up on a pedestal as if it cannot be questioned. It might feel scary like floating out in space - nobody directing. Still: “Thou shalt have no other gods” - Rarely lived it seems. Then again, no need to reinvent the wheel - if it works well enough… but maybe it isn’t enough through spiritual storms continuing to use religion to deceive & manipulate.