Understanding the holy scriptures is impossible unless God gives you the interpretation

[osgart]

If God is the Truth why would there be other Gods that are equal?

Because I can't imagine Truth being all alone throughout eternity past. If there's a God who is all alone throughout eternity past then what would that God know about relationships. Probably nothing much! Lol.

 

[AdamjEdgar]

You must move on... because Revelation clearly and indisputably calls Paul a false apostle.

Only idiots continue to try to make interpretations that are obviously false. Your interpretation has been shown conclusively it's wrong in the book of Acts...I have already shown from the bible that the Ephesian Church were not rejecting Paul, it was the town silversmith fearful of loosing his business making idols to worship the pagan god Artemis...your history is up the creek. Either accept the historical facts or don't...I do not care but they are what they are.

 

[Trailblazer]

Because I can't imagine Truth being all alone throughout eternity past. If there's a God who is all alone throughout eternity past then what would that God know about relationships. Probably nothing much! Lol.

Are you suggesting that God needed other Gods to 'learn' about human relationships?

If God is all-knowing and God created humans (and I don't mean that in the creationist sense, I mean by the process of evolution), don't you think that God would not know about human relationships?

As for God needing a relationship for Himself, God has always been one and alone, with no associates.

“And now concerning thy reference to the existence of two Gods. Beware, beware, lest thou be led to join partners with the Lord, thy God. He is, and hath from everlasting been, one and alone, without peer or equal, eternal in the past, eternal in the future, detached from all things, ever-abiding, unchangeable, and self-subsisting. He hath assigned no associate unto Himself in His Kingdom, no counsellor to counsel Him, none to compare unto Him, none to rival His glory. To this every atom of the universe beareth witness, and beyond it the inmates of the realms on high, they that occupy the most exalted seats, and whose names are remembered before the Throne of Glory.”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 192

If you think that God needs someone to relate to so He won't get lonely then I think you are anthropomorphizing God, but I cannot blame you, because you have the Christian background, and the belief that Christians hold is that God wants a personal relationship with man. God needs nothing from man, nothing at all. Moreover, no man can have a personal relationship with God, except through God's Messengers.

“Regard thou the one true God as One Who is apart from, and immeasurably exalted above, all created things. The whole universe reflecteth His glory, while He is Himself independent of, and transcendeth His creatures.” Gleanings, p. 166

Whatever God has enjoined us to do is only for our own benefit, not for God's benefit, since God needs nothing from humans!

“Consider the mercy of God and His gifts. He enjoineth upon you that which shall profit you, though He Himself can well dispense with all creatures.” Gleanings, p. 140

“The one true God, exalted be His glory, hath wished nothing for Himself. The allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its perversity harm Him. The Bird of the Realm of Utterance voiceth continually this call: “All things have I willed for thee, and thee, too, for thine own sake.” Gleanings, p. 260

 

[Ajax]

Only idiots continue to try to make interpretations that are obviously false. Your interpretation has been shown conclusively it's wrong in the book of Acts...I have already shown from the bible that the Ephesian Church were not rejecting Paul, it was the town silversmith fearful of loosing his business making idols to worship the pagan god Artemis...your history is up the creek. Either accept the historical facts or don't...I do not care but they are what they are.

Idiocy (to reverse your insults) is to believe that the book Acts is historical, is unbiased, is inerrant and is not trying to cover Paul's wrongdoings. I showed you that all churches and most companions abandoned Paul, according to his own testimony. Were all these abandonments caused by the town silversmith?
I don't care so much what the cause was, but as told you before, unless the Revelation is a fairy tale, someone in Ephesus who claimed to be an apostle was tested and was found to be false apostle because people could not stand evil men, and this was confirmed undoubtedly by Jesus (Rev 2:1-2). And we know that Paul wrote to Timothy in Ephesus 1 Tim 2:7 " For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle, I am telling the truth, I am not lying, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Only idiots can not understand this.

 

[osgart]

Are you suggesting that God needed other Gods to 'learn' about human relationships?

If God is all-knowing and God created humans (and I don't mean that in the creationist sense, I mean by the process of evolution), don't you think that God would not know about human relationships?

As for God needing a relationship for Himself, God has always been one and alone, with no associates.

“And now concerning thy reference to the existence of two Gods. Beware, beware, lest thou be led to join partners with the Lord, thy God. He is, and hath from everlasting been, one and alone, without peer or equal, eternal in the past, eternal in the future, detached from all things, ever-abiding, unchangeable, and self-subsisting. He hath assigned no associate unto Himself in His Kingdom, no counsellor to counsel Him, none to compare unto Him, none to rival His glory. To this every atom of the universe beareth witness, and beyond it the inmates of the realms on high, they that occupy the most exalted seats, and whose names are remembered before the Throne of Glory.”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 192

If you think that God needs someone to relate to so He won't get lonely then I think you are anthropomorphizing God, but I cannot blame you, because you have the Christian background, and the belief that Christians hold is that God wants a personal relationship with man. God needs nothing from man, nothing at all. Moreover, no man can have a personal relationship with God, except through God's Messengers.

“Regard thou the one true God as One Who is apart from, and immeasurably exalted above, all created things. The whole universe reflecteth His glory, while He is Himself independent of, and transcendeth His creatures.” Gleanings, p. 166

Whatever God has enjoined us to do is only for our own benefit, not for God's benefit, since God needs nothing from humans!

“Consider the mercy of God and His gifts. He enjoineth upon you that which shall profit you, though He Himself can well dispense with all creatures.” Gleanings, p. 140

“The one true God, exalted be His glory, hath wished nothing for Himself. The allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its perversity harm Him. The Bird of the Realm of Utterance voiceth continually this call: “All things have I willed for thee, and thee, too, for thine own sake.” Gleanings, p. 260

Knowing about relationships is not the same as experiencing relationships. Necessity is probably not the best form of relationship anyways. The best relationships are the ones willfully desired for all the good reasons and not necessitated.

Mercy is an inferior relationship; the merciful with those that need it. So there's no joy in that kind of relationship until there is some kind of equal friendship.

Mercy from the rightfully merciful is to the glory of those who are rightfully merciful.

I see that the best intentions of a God for those that need mercy is that one day the repentant can stand as equals with God. Friendship is equality. A worthy God would desire equality at some time in the future. Otherwise God has a full time job caring for inferiors forever and ever. Seeing eye to eye rightfully is where friendship happens.

Being all alone from eternity past is probably very very unhealthy. It doesn't matter what God is. If God is alive then God would have to have desires.

 

[Trailblazer]

Being all alone from eternity past is probably very very unhealthy. It doesn't matter what God is. If God is alive then God would have to have desires.

You are projecting human qualities onto God. God does not have desires as a human would. God does not desire companionship, sex, or love for Himself.

God does have desires for humans, but God does not desire anything for Himself, as humans desire things for themselves.

“He Who is your Lord, the All-Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body.”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 214

“I confess that Thou hast no desire except the regeneration of the whole world, and the establishment of the unity of its peoples, and the salvation of all them that dwell therein.” Gleanings, p. 243

“It is Our wish and desire that every one of you may become a source of all goodness unto men, and an example of uprightness to mankind. Beware lest ye prefer yourselves above your neighbors.” Gleanings, p. 315

 

[osgart]

I confess that Thou hast no desire except the regeneration of the whole world, and the establishment of the unity of its peoples, and the salvation of all them that dwell therein.” Gleanings, p. 2

The regeneration of the whole world is a desire of God according to this.

 

[osgart]

God does have desires for humans, but God does not desire anything for Himself, as humans desire things for themselves.

I'm sure whatever a God desires for himself it's beyond human desire.

If there is a God we would have to come up to that God's level to relate to that God. Mercy is only the beginning of a repentant road toward that end.

Royalty is perfect judgment with perfect will and heart. I've never met anyone, myself included who is perfect. Therefore humans can never be equal with a true God until they begin the long walk toward the truth, and not away from it. No human is fit to judge others and themselves perfectly. Humanity can only do the best it can do.

In my truth all humans must walk the road of mercy and forgiveness. If mercy and forgiveness don't do it, I'm sure the truth of getting what is deserved will do it. Some are further along than others.

 

[Trailblazer]

The regeneration of the whole world is a desire of God according to this.

Yes it is. What I was saying before is that God has no 'personal desires.'

 

[osgart]

Yes it is. What I was saying before is that God has no 'personal desires.'

If there is a God then that God has personal desires or then that God is just a robot.

 

[Trailblazer]

I'm sure whatever a God desires for himself it's beyond human desire.

I can certainly agree with that.

If there is a God we would have to come up to that God's level to relate to that God.

We can never come up to God's level and I think that is the reason why we can never relate to God directly.....
We have to relate to God through another human, a human that can relate to both God and humans, and I believe that human is the Messenger of God.

I've never met anyone, myself included who is perfect. Therefore humans can never be equal with a true God until they begin the long walk toward the truth, and not away from it. No human is fit to judge others and themselves perfectly. Humanity can only do the best it can do.

In my truth all humans must walk the road of mercy and forgiveness. If mercy and forgiveness don't do it, I'm sure the truth of getting what is deserved will do it. Some are further along than others.

I fully agree.

 

[Trailblazer]

If there is a God then that God has personal desires or then that God is just a robot.

Well, you got me on that one, given the Baha'i definition of a Personal God.

Personal God

While the Baháʼí writings teach of a personal god who is a being with a personality (including the capacity to reason and to feel love), they clearly state that this does not imply a human or physical form.[2] Shoghi Effendi writes:

What is meant by personal God is a God Who is conscious of His creation, Who has a Mind, a Will, a Purpose, and not, as many scientists and materialists believe, an unconscious and determined force operating in the universe. Such conception of the Divine Being, as the Supreme and ever present Reality in the world, is not anthropomorphic, for it transcends all human limitations and forms, and does by no means attempt to define the essence of Divinity which is obviously beyond any human comprehension. To say that God is a personal Reality does not mean that He has a physical form, or does in any way resemble a human being. To entertain such belief would be sheer blasphemy.[15][16]

God in the Baháʼí Faith

 

[osgart]

Well, you got me on that one, given the Baha'i definition of a Personal God.

Personal God

While the Baháʼí writings teach of a personal god who is a being with a personality (including the capacity to reason and to feel love), they clearly state that this does not imply a human or physical form.[2] Shoghi Effendi writes:

What is meant by personal God is a God Who is conscious of His creation, Who has a Mind, a Will, a Purpose, and not, as many scientists and materialists believe, an unconscious and determined force operating in the universe. Such conception of the Divine Being, as the Supreme and ever present Reality in the world, is not anthropomorphic, for it transcends all human limitations and forms, and does by no means attempt to define the essence of Divinity which is obviously beyond any human comprehension. To say that God is a personal Reality does not mean that He has a physical form, or does in any way resemble a human being. To entertain such belief would be sheer blasphemy.[15][16]

God in the Baháʼí Faith

I definitely would want to transcend beyond human limitation someday. Being human for me is something that I tire of. No one wants to live forever in a human body.

I'm not worried about blasphemy. If God were human that would be really disappointing.

Sign me up for total transformation beyond human physical form and life. Lol.

 

[Trailblazer]

I definitely would want to transcend beyond human limitation someday. Being human for me is something that I tire of. No one wants to live forever in a human body.

I'll second that. I will be very happy to cast off this mortal frame and to depart from this earthly realm of existence.

Sign me up for total transformation beyond human physical form and life. Lol.

You're all signed up and I sure hope I see you there.

“O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 329

 

[Muffled]

It's called a debate thread. This idea you must have the holy ghost us nothing more than a means to silence criticism without actually hearing or considering it. It's a facet of the holier than thou mentality,
Like it or not the Bible isn't a difficult read. Inconsistencies, contradiction, typos, editorializing and poor translationsn are the main concern when it comes to reading and comprehending it. This just isn't like Heidegger, Spinoza or Hegel where they are widely regarded as difficult reads and will require other sources (especially dictionaries and encyclopedias, with other philosophers and secondary texts also helping). The Bible can be easily read, especially if it's annotated like a good version of Divine Comedy (another book that itself isn't hard but many of the references are obscure).

I believe if it were that comprehensible, then there wouldn't be so many different interpretations.

Of course I believe, some of it is plain enough so that even the dense can understand.

 

[Muffled]

Other Christians who follow a different church doctrine and scriptural interpretation than you do believe they can also "spiritually discern" the Bible. I wouldn't be surprised if you thought that these Christians were wrong and misled in their beliefs, but you believe that you are correct in yours.

I believe there are those who claim to be inspired but are not.

 

[Muffled]

The whole Bible is spiritual teaching. Some people "get it", some don't. It's generally quite clear who's who.

I believe don't get very inspired reading the genealogies.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I believe if it were that comprehensible, then there wouldn't be so many different interpretations.

You'll get .multiple interpretations with anything.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I believe there are those who claim to be inspired but are not.

Why? Is it because they disagree with your personal beliefs and interpretation of the Bible?

 

[Ignatius A]

You'll get .multiple interpretations with anything.

I think it depends on ones motivation and context.

I didnt say Joe stole the money.

Interpret that statement.