The Word of God

[Tree of Life]

Imagine for a moment that the God of theism exists. This means that all of creation - the natural world, the intangible world of values, persons, etc - is the handiwork of a divine person. Absolute, eternal reality is a person rather than a set of impersonal values or natural laws.

Imagine further that this God desired to communicate to created persons. He revealed himself through words, gave commands to be obeyed, and revealed truths to be believed.

Would the word of this God be open to question and criticism from his creatures? Why or why not?

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

Imagine for a moment that the God of theism exists. This means that all of creation - the natural world, the intangible world of values, persons, etc - is the handiwork of a divine person. Absolute, eternal reality is a person rather than a set of impersonal values or natural laws.

Imagine further that this God desired to communicate to created persons. He revealed himself through words, gave commands to be obeyed, and revealed truths to be believed.

Would the word of this God be open to question and criticism from his creatures? Why or why not?

Depends on what kind of creatures you are talking about.

Kudos to you on a very thought provoking topic.

 

[variant]

Imagine further that this God desired to communicate to created persons. He revealed himself through words, gave commands to be obeyed, and revealed truths to be believed.

Would the word of this God be open to question and criticism from his creatures? Why or why not?

I would think that if a God sincerely wanted to be obeyed and believed in, it would be clear what it wanted and that it existed.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

I would think that if a God sincerely wanted to be obeyed and believed in, it would be clear what it wanted and that it existed.

That is not what he asked.

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

I would say of course He is open to questions and critic, He is the author of freewill.

But to the critic I say good luck posing them when in His overwhelming presence.

 

[Tree of Life]

I would think that if a God sincerely wanted to be obeyed and believed in, it would be clear what it wanted and that it existed.

Sure. Let's imagine for a moment that God's existence and his desires were clear. Would his word be open to question from his creatures?

 

[Tree of Life]

I would say of course He is open to questions and critic, He is the author of freewill.

But to the critic I say good luck posing them when in His overwhelming presence.

You seem to be saying two things here. Creatures have the freedom to question but somehow these questions (and even the right to question) evaporate in the presence of the creator?

 

[Tree of Life]

Depends on what kind of creatures you are talking about.

Kudos to you on a very thought provoking topic.

Which creatures have the right to question the word of the creator?

 

[Gladius]

Imagine for a moment that the God of theism exists. This means that all of creation - the natural world, the intangible world of values, persons, etc - is the handiwork of a divine person. Absolute, eternal reality is a person rather than a set of impersonal values or natural laws.

Imagine further that this God desired to communicate to created persons. He revealed himself through words, gave commands to be obeyed, and revealed truths to be believed.

Would the word of this God be open to question and criticism from his creatures? Why or why not?

Love the question.

No it would not.

He desired to communicate to humanity. He sent himself down to earth as a human. As a human he communicated to other humans.

If you believe that those humans he specifically chose to communicate with wrote down the truth, then you cannot question or re-interpret it.

If you believe they could have got it wrong, then you are up a tree trying to establish what parts (if any) are true words of God and which are false.

If the latter, you have no way of knowing (or proving) which is which.

If you believe that your God is omnipotent then you would be unwise to conclude that he didn't chose the right people to correctly pass on his word.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

Imagine for a moment that the God of theism exists. This means that all of creation - the natural world, the intangible world of values, persons, etc - is the handiwork of a divine person. Absolute, eternal reality is a person rather than a set of impersonal values or natural laws.

Imagine further that this God desired to communicate to created persons. He revealed himself through words, gave commands to be obeyed, and revealed truths to be believed.

Would the word of this God be open to question and criticism from his creatures? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe it would or actually should be.

If He gave these beings minds with which to think and form judgments and hold opinions AND He truly valued their opinions, He should at least have a suggestion box.

 

[Tree of Life]

Love the question.

No it would not.

He desired to communicate to humanity. He sent himself down to earth as a human. As a human he communicated to other humans.

If you believe that those humans he specifically chose to communicate with wrote down the truth, then you cannot question or re-interpret it.

If you believe they could have got it wrong, then you are up a tree trying to establish what parts (if any) are true words of God and which are false.

If the latter, you have no way of knowing (or proving) which is which.

If you believe that your God is omnipotent then you would be unwise to conclude that he didn't chose the right people to correctly pass on his word.

Love the answer. Christians believe that God has spoken in such a way and that the Bible is the authoritative word of God. In order for this to be true, the words of the Bible must be:

Inspired - Ultimately organized by God in such a way that they communicate exactly what He intended. If God desires to communicate then he can surely see to it that His words are recorded exactly as He desires.

Inerrant - Without error in matters of faith and ethics. We should believe what the Bible says and do what the Bible commands. If God has spoken then he cannot be incorrect in anything he reveals.

Infallible - These words are unable to be lost by human irresponsibility or malicious intent. If God has spoken then He can surely see to it that His words remain throughout human history as a testimony to all.

Sufficient - These words are all that is needed to know what we ought to believe about God and how we ought to live. If God has spoken then He has spoken all that we need to know in order to live.

Authoritative - These words are beyond all question and criticism. If God has spoken then we should believe what He says and do what He commands. We have no right to question or criticize any of His words.

If God has spoken then it must be this way. If His word has somehow failed then He cannot truly be God.

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

You seem to be saying two things here. Creatures have the freedom to question but somehow these questions (and even the right to question) evaporate in the presence of the creator?

Yes, humans question everything as it is.

But the Mind of God interpenetrates everything. Combine that with being in the Presence of The Lord and you become transparent to yourself. You are already transparent to Thou.

So the ability to pose a criticism is overwhelmed by direct transfer of awareness. As much as you are capable of withstanding.



That has been me experience anyway. He withdrew His presence when He could see I could take no more.

 

[Tree of Life]

Yes, I believe it would or actually should be.

If He gave these beings minds with which to think and form judgments and hold opinions AND He truly valued their opinions, He should at least have a suggestion box.

What higher authority could the creatures appeal to in order to question his words?

 

[znr]

I believe he is open to question and is long suffering, merciful and understanding. As far as changes to the rules to accommodate the creature's rebellion, I think he's very patient, but no cigar.

 

[Tree of Life]

I believe he is open to question and is long suffering, merciful and understanding. As far as changes the rules to accommodate the creature's rebellion, I think he's very patient, but no cigar.

It is amazing that throughout scripture God does allow creatures to question Him and He is indeed very patient. But the question at hand is: is this questioning even rational? Do creatures really have the right to question the word of God even if God, in his patience, permits it?

 

[znr]

Why not? How does someone get to point a to point b without questioning? From a human perspective, wouldn't you be downright disturbed if suddenly, for example, every non believer here stopped questioning? That would be bizarre. The questioning indicates a degree of engagement. If that stopped, I'd be worried. How much more does God concern himself with us?

It is amazing that throughout scripture God does allow creatures to question Him and He is indeed very patient. But the question at hand is: is this questioning even rational? Do creatures really have the right to question the word of God even if God, in his patience, permits it?

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

Love the answer. Christians believe that God has spoken in such a way and that the Bible is the authoritative word of God. In order for this to be true, the words of the Bible must be:

Inspired - Ultimately organized by God in such a way that they communicate exactly what He intended. If God desires to communicate then he can surely see to it that His words are recorded exactly as He desires.

Inerrant - Without error in matters of faith and ethics. We should believe what the Bible says and do what the Bible commands. If God has spoken then he cannot be incorrect in anything he reveals.

Infallible - These words are unable to be lost by human irresponsibility or malicious intent. If God has spoken then He can surely see to it that His words remain throughout human history as a testimony to all.

Sufficient - These words are all that is needed to know what we ought to believe about God and how we ought to live. If God has spoken then He has spoken all that we need to know in order to live.

Authoritative - These words are beyond all question and criticism. If God has spoken then we should believe what He says and do what He commands. We have no right to question or criticize any of His words.

If God has spoken then it must be this way. If His word has somehow failed then He cannot truly be God.

You know about Jerome's invention of "Lucifer" right? Or the lying pens of the scribes?

The Word of God issued forth all of creation. It was not a 1x5x7 stack of papers and ink.


Don't mistake the map for the territory.

 

[dysert]

Yes, I believe it would or actually should be.

If He gave these beings minds with which to think and form judgments and hold opinions AND He truly valued their opinions, He should at least have a suggestion box.

In the first place, I don't think the OP has us imagining God valuing our opinions. And in the second place, why should He have a suggestion box? What are you going to suggest to a Being that knows all and is all powerful? Do you think you may have thought of something He hasn't?

 

[dysert]

It is amazing that throughout scripture God does allow creatures to question Him and He is indeed very patient. But the question at hand is: is this questioning even rational? Do creatures really have the right to question the word of God even if God, in his patience, permits it?

No, the questioning is not rational. Does the clay say to the potter, "why did you make me this way?" For anyone who thinks we mere humans have the right to question the word of God, I suggest you read the last few chapters of the book of Job.

 

[Tree of Life]

The Word of God issued forth all of creation.

Interesting. This sounds like an idea that you read in a 1x5x7 stack of papers.