View source for Common issues in interpretation and proof-texting

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=Introduction=
The challenge of Latter-day Saint scripture and an open canon to the rest of the christian world means that there is a long history of polemics targeted at the Church of Jesus Christ. These are well-worn "chestnuts" and standard biblical issues that have been repeatedly "asked and answered" for Latter-day Saints over nearly two centuries.

=Index=
* [[#Why does the Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when 1 Corinthians 15:46 says that the physical body comes before the spiritual?|Why does the Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when 1 Corinthians 15:46 says that the physical body comes before the spiritual?]]

* [[#How is John 4:24 used as a proof-text by critics of the Church's doctrine of God having a body?|How is John 4:24 used as a proof-text by critics of the Church's doctrine of God having a body?]]

* [[#How is Isaiah 43:10 used as a proof-text by critics of the Church doctrines of humans' ability to become like God through Christ's atonement?|How is Isaiah 43:10 used as a proof-text by critics of the Church doctrines of humans' ability to become like God through Christ's atonement?]]

* [[#How is Genesis 3:5 used by critics who claim that the doctrine of deification (theosis) is a teaching of Satan?|How is Genesis 3:5 used by critics who claim that the doctrine of deification (theosis) is a teaching of Satan?]]

* [[Latter-day Saint scripture and the closed canon#Does the fact that the Bible states that nothing should be "added to" or "taken away" from the book mean that the Book of Mormon is false?|Does the fact that the Bible states that nothing should be "added to" or "taken away" from the book mean that the Book of Mormon is false?]]

=Answers=
= Why does the Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when {{s|1|Corinthians|15|46}} says that the physical body comes before the spiritual? =
== When Latter-day Saints speak of God creating our "spirit bodies," we do not mean the glorified, physical "spiritual body" of the resurrected ==

When Latter-day Saints speak of God creating our "spirit bodies," we do not mean the glorified, physical "spiritual body" of the resurrected.  We refer to God's role as our Heavenly Father before our mortal lives.

Biblical statements indicate that God is the father of our spirits and we were known to him before our birth (e.g., {{b||Jeremiah|1|5}}).  This is a separate doctrine from the doctrine of a glorious resurrection, which is clearly Paul's topic.

It is unfortunate that critics find it necessary to distort and twist the clear meaning of scripture in an attempt to make the Latter-day Saints "offenders for a word."

== In context, Paul is clearly talking about the physical resurrection from the dead ==

In context, Paul is clearly talking about the physical resurrection from the dead.  For example, earlier in the chapter he has written:

<blockquote>
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christwhom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own orderChrist the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. .. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die... ({{b|1|Corinthians|15|12-36}})
</blockquote>

Paul clearly believes, then, that the physical body with which we die will be resurrected.

He then tells the Saints that:

<blockquote>
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption... It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ({{b|1|Corinthians|15|40-43}}.)
</blockquote>

== The "spiritual body" to which Paul refers is the resurrected physical body which has been glorified ==

The "spiritual body" to which Paul refers is the resurrected physical body which has been glorified.  

<blockquote>
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ({{b|1|Corinthians|15|52-53}}.)
</blockquote>

The "natural" body is the weak, corruptible mortal body that is "sown in weakness."  The "spiritual body" is the glorified, resurrected body "raised in power."  But, this does not mean that it is not ''also'' a physical, or corporeal body&mdash;Paul has just spent several verses insisting upon the reality of Christ's resurrection, and using Him as a model for the resurrection of the Saints.
And, clearly Jesus' body was tangible and physical following the resurrection:

<blockquote>
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself handle me, and see; for ''a spirit hath not flesh and bones'', '''''as ye see me have'''''''. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. ({{b||Luke|24|39-42}}, {{ea}}.)
</blockquote>

{{Critical sources box:Mormonism and scripture interpretation/First Corinthians 15 and spirit bodies/CriticalSources}}{{blankline}}

= How is {{s||John|4|24}} used as a proof-text by critics of the Church's doctrine of God having a body?=
== Critics read into the passage what is not there. This passage in John does not assert anything about God's corporeal nature or lack thereof ==

== King James Version ==
<blockquote>
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
{{s||John|4|24}}
</blockquote>

== Other translation(s) ==
<blockquote>
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (NASB)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is." (TEV)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.  (CEV)
</blockquote>

Critics read into the passage what is not there. This passage in John does not assert anything about God's corporeal nature or lack thereof. The Latter-day Saint belief that God is an embodied spirit is perfectly consistent with the passage in question and critics are in error to insist that the passage must be interpreted as "God is a disembodied spirit."

== Use or misuse by Church critics ==

This verse is used as a proof-text by critics of the LDS doctrine of the corporeal nature of God. Critics argue that this passage proves that God does not have a physical body.

== Commentary ==

The context of this verse is that Jesus is explaining to a Samaritan woman how one must worship. Jesus teaches that the place of worship, whether Samaria or Jerusalem, is not important, but rather the ''way'' one worships. By teaching attributes of God, Jesus teaches how His children can and should relate to Him and worship Him. Latter-day Saints emphatically agree that God is indeed spirit, just as He is love {{b|1|Jn|1|5}}, light {{b|1|Jn|4|8}}, and a consuming fire {{b||Deuteronomy|4|24}}, but He is not ''only'' spirit, love, light, or fire. 

The Greek language has no indefinite article ("a" or "an") and so the translator must decide whether to include that word in the English text.  But for Latter-day Saints, the presence or absence of the article makes no difference. Latter-day Saints believe both that God is spirit (as an attribute) and that God is a spirit (as a statement of His nature).  Similarly, Latter-day Saints believe that all people are also spirits, but spirits housed within a physical body.

In the chapter immediately preceding this scripture, in {{b||John|3|5-6}} , Jesus says the following:

<blockquote>
{{s||John|3|5}} Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot  enter into the kingdom of God.  
{{s||John|3|6}} That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and '''that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.''' (NASB)''
</blockquote>

It is clear from the above verse that Jesus considered it entirely possible for a mortal human with a physical body to be spirit. Likewise, it is not inconsistent to believe that God the Father simultaneously has a physical body and "is spirit."

{{To learn more box:God: body}}{{blankline}}

= How is Isaiah 43:10 used as a proof-text by critics of the Church doctrines of humans' ability to become like God through Christ's atonement? =
== The context of this passage makes it clear that the issue being addressed is not one of general theology but rather a very specific and practical command to recognize YHWH as Israel's only god and the only god to be worshiped ==

== King James Version ==

<blockquote>
Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
{{s||Isaiah|43|10}}
</blockquote>

== Other translation(s) ==

<blockquote>
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.  (NIV)
</blockquote>

== Use or misuse by Church critics ==
This verse is used as a proof-text by critics of the LDS doctrines of the plurality of gods and the deification of man. It is claimed that this verse proves that there never has been or ever will be another being who could properly be called a god.

== Commentary ==
This passage and other similar proof texts from the Hebrew scriptures are misused by critics. When read in context, it is clear that the intent of the passage is to differentiate YHWH from the foreign gods and idols in the cultures surrounding the Jews.

Verses {{s_short||Isaiah|43|11-13}} are a continuation of the statement by God:

<blockquote>
I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.

I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" (NIV)
</blockquote>

The context of this passage makes it clear that the issue being addressed is not one of general theology but rather a very specific and practical command to recognize YHWH as Israel's only god and the only god to be worshiped.

In addition to misapplying this passage, critics also fail to recognize the growing body of evidence that shows that the Jewish religion was not strictly monotheistic until quite late in its development, certainly after the era in which Isaiah was written.  When this evidence is considered, it appears that Judaism originally taught that though there are indeed other divine beings, some of whom are called gods, none of these are to be worshiped except for the God of gods who created all things and who revealed Himself to Moses.

= How is Genesis 3:5 used by critics who claim that the doctrine of deification (''theosis'') is a teaching of Satan? =
The use of Genesis 3 to counter the doctrine of deification/theosis has two problems associated with it:  

'''First:''' Satan never claimed that Adam and Eve would be gods, just that they would be "as gods, knowing good and evil." 

{{Parallel4|type1=KJV|text1=For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.<br>{{b||Genesis|3|5}}|type2=NASB|text2=For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.|type3=CEV|text3=God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.|type4=BBE|text4=For God sees that on the day when you take of its fruit, your eyes will be open, and you will be as gods, having knowledge of good and evil.}}

== Use or misuse by Church critics ==
This verse is used by critics to attempt to show that the LDS doctrine of deification is a teaching of Satan.

== Commentary ==
The critics seriously misunderstand and misinterpret this passage of scripture.

Note that the serpent makes two claims:

(1) "ye shall not surely die" and

(2) "ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

But if one looks forward to {{b||Genesis|3|22}}:

<blockquote>
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:"
</blockquote>

'''Second problem:''' The second and bigger problem is that Satan was, in fact, telling the truth on this point, as God confirms. 

God announces that Adam and Eve did indeed become as gods, knowing good and evil.  As usual, Satan mixes lies and truth. In this case he said that Adam and Eve wouldn't die (a lie) but he also said that their eating would make them "as gods, knowing good and evil" (a truth).

So the lie of Satan in the Garden of Eden was that transgressing God's law would not bring death (with the implication that Adam and Eve could have the god-like ability to know good and evil without paying a terrible price). 

This chapter isn't even relevant to beliefs about deification.

{{To learn more box:theosis}}{{blankline}}

{{Endnotes sources}}
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