dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Everyone can argue this to infinity. I hope you will not do so.

In the first creation account...

"So God created humankind in his image,
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27)"

There is none of the following; differentiating between male and female, Eden, the forbidden tree, a woman out of Adam's rib, submission of women, because both are created at the same time in his image.

God says, "Let us make man in our image."

Up to this point, no one else has been mentioned, so who is this "us" and "our"? Is it the "three-part" God of Christianity, or is God speaking to the heavenly hosts, angels, cherubim, and seraphim?

Philosophers and theologians with minds far greater than ours have been unable to answer this question. And if this isn't bad enough, every question that follows is more and more difficult to answer.

It's fine to try to argue and defend with reason and rationale why you believe what you do. But to belittle, attack, and trivialize the faith, views or opinions of others is inconsequential and inconsiderate foolishness. It is disparaging hubris and hypocrisy of the highest order.

Nothing is settled and nothing is to be won, whether you get the last word in or not.

These are my last words on this topic.

We started at the beginning of this thread with a short Prager U video, "Why is God a He?" It has devolved to this. Hardly the most pressing issue because there is much that we agree on and so little that we disagree about. Matters of Faith cannot be decided by logical reasoning and to try any other method of convincing others of the soundness or veracity of your view is the epitome of human folly and foible. God is beyond human comprehension.


I leave you with one last thought:

"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

God didn't say, "I am the only God," rather, the Number One God. He doesn't even say not to worship any other god, only not to put another before him. We take it for granted the notion of "One God," for this is what Yahweh, the greatest among many gods of Israel evolved into over time.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Good points...

I especially liked the last...Will spend some time on that...

Which Bible do you prefer?

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Go online to CBD.com (Christian Book Distributers). They discount to a price that is much less than most other outlets, and often have special sales with free delivery.

The NAS (New American Standard) is considered the best t***slation of the original texts from the oldest available manuscripts for serious students of the Bible, though the indwelling Holy Spirit within Christians won't let them go too far astray, if they pray about their choice.

What is a JW?

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Thanks...

Will they deliver overseas?

A JW is a Jehovah Witness... I worked with him back when I was in university... Really nice fella... I make a point of looking him up every time I go home...

He gifted me a Bible last year... But I have not used it... The JWs have always felt a little off to me... Not judging...Just not my path...

Rose42

Jehovah’s Witness.

My go to is the New American Standard. I like the KJV and NKJV for more poetic renditions of the Psalms

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Yes, I believe they do.

The Jehovah Witnesses (The Watchtower) has their own Bible, with significant changes from other Bibles to fit their belief that Jesus is not divine.

Your instincts served you well.

Get a serious Study Bible with index, concordance, book introductions, study helps, Hebrew and Greek Lexicon would be good too.

I bought a new ESV (English Standard Version) last year that has everything but the kitchen sink in aids.

The Archaeological Study Bible is excellent. It lists all the important Archaeological finds that have historically confirmed the Bible.

Rose42

Theologians have answered it.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Christ is the Word. We were made by the Triune God.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

I grew up with the KJV. My Father switched to the NAS when it became available for his ministry, as younger generations not familiar with the antiquated, though beautiful, Shakespearean English of the KJV, could better understand the NAS.

I still hear the KJV rendering of Bible phrases in my mind, but use more accurate t***slations when writing.

I like the NKJV New Testament because it is from the Greek, rather than the Latin.

Rose42

But you need to discern what is true and what isn’t. That was the Holy Spirit prompting you to search elsewhere.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

All of them! But I still have my little pocket Bible from when I went in the Army and the pages are very tattered. I can't bring myself to get rid of it.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

I believe it is!

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

I cannot argue with that!
If that serves you and you are satisfied and filled with the Holy Spirit, who I am to disagree, for I am just a simple man, here by the Grace of God. Rose, may God Bless You and Bless all of us!

Rose42

And may He bless you too.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

That is part of the journey...

As you know I am not denying the JWs their faith... Just not my path...

I do pray regularly for wisdom... Also patience... I hear they often go together

Rose42

Proverbs is an excellent source.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6