06-11-2006, 01:36 AM
Bismillah:
Quote:<b>OK Wel Mel...I am going to try again. </b>
I've heard the "a god" vs. "God" arguement before concerning the Logos in John 1.
Some have observed that the word "God" here has no definite article, and argued on this basis that it means "a god" rather than "God". This is incorrect. The article is omitted because of the word order in the Greek sentence (the predicate "God" has been placed first for emphasis thus in Greek grammar not requiring the definate article). The NT never endorses the idea of "a god," an expression that implies polytheism and is in sharp contrast with the consistent teaching of monotheism of the Bible. In the NT, the Greek word for "God" occurs often without the definite article, depending on the requirements of Greek grammar.
You original question, however, was about Jesus being the Creator. You wanted to know where the Bible states that Jesus created the earth and the heavens? I gave you John 1. I can give you more...
Col. 1:16-17
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
John 17:1-5
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Heb. 1:2
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
You has also made the remark that nowhere Christ calls himself God and thus Christians shouldn't deify Christ.
John 8:57-59
The Jews therefore said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple.
Remember God the Father saying to Moses in Exodus 3 when Moses asked what to call Him?
Exodus 3:14-13
13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'
John 10:30-33
"I and the Father are one." The Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God."
There are many examples of Christ accpeting deity in the NT. For starters Christ forgave sins. This angered the Jews to the point that they killed Him. Why did it anger them so? For they knew that only God could forgive sins. (See OT sacrficial requirements)
Mathew 9: 1-7
1Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home.
I've noticed you like to ask questions such as, "Show me where the Bible says that 'Jesus is the Creator' in plain English exactly in those words." I guess you think that if those words aren't in the Bible exactly as you've laid them out than it must not be true that Jesus is the Creator? Well that is a false arguement. I could do the same thing about the Qur'an but that doesn't make the Qur'an false does it?
For Example, what if I said, "Show me in the Qur'an exactly where it says this exactly in plain English all in once sentence, 'Mohammed is God's best and complete prophet, he is 100% correct on everything and this Qur'an makes the Bible null and void and Christians changed the words of Jesus to make it look like he was God when in fact Jesus was just a lesser prophet.'
Well if you couldn't produce that exact sentence than I guess I am supposed to assume that the sentence in incorrect? No.
I take the Bible as a whole and in context just as you take the Qur'an as a whole and in context. For me to offer any answer any question about Christ I would take liberty to use the Bible as a whole because it was given to man as a whole. I'd expect you to do the same with your Qur'an.
Ok thanks for explanation
salam
Wael