Other gods in the Old Testament/Tanakh (both Christian and Jewish input welcome / requested)
The OT has references to gods aside from the One, True God. For example where do the Egyptian priests get their power from?
What do various faiths (both Jewish and the different Christian denominations) teach that these are? Are they just demons posing as gods? Are they all manifestations of the Devil? Are they actual weaker gods?
I'm curious what the various traditions teach in this regard and put it in this forum to try and cut out the GD chatter.
Thanks in advance!
ETA I'm mainly looking for what your tradition teaches in this regard.
Reread the Book of Genesis, particularly Genesis 1:26 where it says "Let US make man in OUR image. . . ." Who exactly is the US god is talking about? In fact, god even states in the 10 commandments that he's a jealous god and that none should come before him. To me that acknowledges the existence of other god-like beings.
Most pagan gods and traditions were just incorporated into christian ones.That's why almost every christian holiday falls on or around ancient pagan feasts such as Christmas/Yule, Halloween/All Saints Day, Easter, May Crowning, etc. etc. etc.
Originally Posted By adburmaster:
Reread the Book of Genesis, particularly Genesis 1:26 where it says "Let US make man in OUR image. . . ." Who exactly is the US god is talking about? In fact, god even states in the 10 commandments that he's a jealous god and that none should come before him. To me that acknowledges the existence of other god-like beings.
Most pagan gods and traditions were just incorporated into christian ones.That's why almost every christian holiday falls on or around ancient pagan feasts such as Christmas/Yule, Halloween/All Saints Day, Easter, May Crowning, etc. etc. etc.
Thanks for your input. I probably could have worded the OP better but I'm specifically looking for what specific traditions teach in this thread.
Well, if i remember correctly from my days of catholic education, the church teaches that there is only one true god. All others are either false god or demons.
They were idols just like the Golden Calf that Aaron made. Nothing more.
Regarding traditional belief systems, I think in my Baptist days they were supposedly deamons or fallen angels or some such nonsense (there was wide variation there though).
Originally Posted By adburmaster:
Reread the Book of Genesis, particularly Genesis 1:26 where it says "Let US make man in OUR image. . . ." Who exactly is the US god is talking about? In fact, god even states in the 10 commandments that he's a jealous god and that none should come before him. To me that acknowledges the existence of other god-like beings.
Most pagan gods and traditions were just incorporated into christian ones.That's why almost every christian holiday falls on or around ancient pagan feasts such as Christmas/Yule, Halloween/All Saints Day, Easter, May Crowning, etc. etc. etc.
He is talking about his Only Begotten Son. His master worker - Jesus.
Mark
You'll find those histories interesting. The move of the 'pre-jews' from many gods to a single one was gradual. The 'one true god' had a wife, or at least a main squeeze. Can't remember her name right now, but she was represented by trees and temple columns meant to represent her as a tree. Also, an earilier 'one and only' god had two sons. The lessor son was the god of the pre-jews who later became the 'one and only true god' of today.
One of the best historians on this topic is Joseph Campbell, find his books. Also PBS or some similar sponsor filmed him and did a series. You would like it. Campbell is the guy who can relate how, for example, christianity uses the symbol of xyz, and how they got it from the Egyptians, who got it from the Babylonians, who got it from the ...., who got it from the... etc..
