Originally Posted by Loomis

It’s not an argument. It’s an assertion. You should learn the difference.

Why is he saying it? Fathom to guess? Do you ever think about this stuff?

What do you suppose provoked him?

Could it be this?

Genesis 3:5
“You will be like gods who know good and evil.”

Genesis 3:22
“The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.”

Put yourself in Yahweh’s shoes. If you wanted to be Israel’s only god what would you do about those other annoying gods in Genesis 3:5 and 3:22?




The stuff about making good and evil seems to be secondary. Read Isaiah 45 in context. The author is saying something more important. Look at this:

5 I am Yahweh, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.

6 … there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other.

7 … I, Yahweh, do all these things.

8 … I, Yahweh, have created it.

12 It is I who made the earth…

14 …Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.

18 …I am Yahweh, and there is no other.

21 …there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.

22 …I am God, and there is no other.

Call me a nut but it looks to me like the central theme of Isaiah 45 is monotheism.

Wuddia think? Am I losing my mind? Am I being unreasonable?

And here’s the 64,000 Dollar Question: Is "Yahweh" badmouthing Genesis 3:5 or 3:22? :constern02:

If not then what provoked the author of Isaiah 45:7 to assert that Yahweh made the good and created the evil?

Originally Posted by Newfie

Would you like to comment on the theological conclusion that YHWH is the source of evil ...

Originally Posted by Loomis

Check out Isaiah 45:7

(I am) the one who forms light and creates darkness;

the one who brings about peace and creates evil.

I am Yahweh, who accomplishes all these things.

Call me a nut but it looks to me like this was written to “correct” other believers who thought that Yahweh did not create evil.

Originally Posted by Loomis

Yes, I would like to comment on it.

Actually I’ve been thinking about this. And to be honest I’ve changed my mind a little bit. Here was my first post:
I no longer think that the author wrote 45:7 to “correct” other believers who thought that Yahweh did not create evil.

Instead, I think it was a given that all gods create good and evil; and the author’s point was that Yahweh was the only real god, and therefore the only god capable of actually doing it.

Do you see what I mean?

Do you see the difference?

Do you understand me?

It’s directly related to this:

Genesis 3:5
“You will be like gods who know good and evil.”

Genesis 3:22
“The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.”

The author of Isaiah 45:7 was a strict monotheistic Yahwist. He was familiar with the stories about the gods who – along with Yahweh, created good and evil. But he didn’t like them. And so he wrote 45:7.

Wuddia think? Is this a revelation? Am I enlightened?

Originally Posted by Newfie

The other gods of YHWH's time were understood to run the full gambit of human emotion. In each system there were gods responsible for light, and others responsible for darkness, one for the sea and another for the sky, and so on. Both good and bad come from the gods, and sometimes your favourite deity could mess you over royally if you provoked her, but usually the ancients kept the opposite powers separate because they understood a basic truth
...
Basically, the Hebrews were trying to make YHWH the Swiss Army knife of deities, but it just doesn't work very well, and like how the corkscrew attachment that always manages to scratch you when you just want to use the can opener, YHWH's evil, genocidal part just jabs at you whenever you hear about His loving all mankind.

Originally Posted by Loomis

:cantgiveadamn:

There is no indication in your post that you actually understand what I was trying to say.

Your opinions are boring and mundane. There is very little to agree or disagree with. They would be better if you would accompany them with scripture, or something new, or something to demonstrate your point.

Please don’t take it personally.