Originally posted by miko2d
-ammo- Other gods, are defined by others.
You mean they are "invented by others but do not really exist" or "they do exist but are not to be worshipped by a true jew/christian"?
There is a difference between "false" gods and "other" gods and that is what I am concerned in that thread.
miko
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The text is refering to other spiritual beings or objects that are not "gods" in the "one true God's" eyes. However, some humans, have their "own" gods. That may be an object such as the Sun, moon, or even money or some idol even. It could be satan himself, or some other demonic being. So, they are indeed not God, or have the omnicience, omnipresence, or any of the divine traits of God. So they are indeed false to the one true God (Father of Jesus Christ), or to believers in the true God for that matter, this is the camp I belong to. But likely, people believe that their false god is not false. The Bible tells of witches, soothsayers, demons, etc.
So, do I believe there are other spiritual being that are not God? Yes, and I would make the argument that they are a "false god" to the person that believes they are God.
Here is some more scripture to ponder. In this setting, Paul is on Athens. Currently in Athens, The people are considered of high intelect, above and beyond that of other civilizations, to include the Jewish nation. There is a trend there to believe in whatever it is you want to believe in, and to be "free thinkers" (all this sounds so familiar to me). It is fashionable to create your own Gods, your own philosopy, your own doctrine. The more creative, the better. The truth is very subjective, and that is just fine with the inhabitants of this City. Additionally, the city is totally given over to idolatry. The Epicureans were chiefest of the city, and were great philosephers of Ancient Greece. This text comes from Acts chapter 17, which can be found in its entirety
here. Paul defines God in this passage.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
