FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Question: How is Isaiah 43:10 used as a proof-text by critics of the Mormon doctrines of the plurality of gods and the deification of man?"
PaulMcNabb (talk | contribs) (→Other translation(s)) |
PaulMcNabb (talk | contribs) (→Commentary) |
||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
==Commentary== | ==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 11 - 13 are a continuation of the statement by God: | ||
| + | |||
| + | :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) | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
Revision as of 23:42, 21 August 2007
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
This is a FAIR Wiki scripture article. It discusses scriptures commonly used by those who attack the Church, as well as references to other FAIR Wiki articles that discuss the issues raised by the critics. For other scriptures, please see the Scripture index.
Contents
King James Version
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. Isaiah 43꞉10
Other translation(s)
- "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)
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. Critics claim 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 11 - 13 are a continuation of the statement by God:
- 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)
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.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR website
Monotheism, Messiah, and Mormon's Book, Brant A. Gardner FAIR link
FairMormon Topical Guide: Deity FairMormon link
FairMormon Topical Guide: Deification FairMormon link
On-line articles
Introduction to the Divine Council, Michael S. Heiser, PhD PDF link
Divine Council Website off-site
Print works
David Penchansky, Twilight of the Gods: Polytheism in the Hebrew Bible (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005), 160 pp. ISBN 978-0664228859.