Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Alan the Atheist · 01-14-2006, 10:18 AM

Ok, I am discussing this with some Christian theologians who tell me that the Biblical answer is a clear cut 'God created the universe for his glory.' I can see that Isaiah 43:6-7 agrees with them, but is there Biblical evidence to support another view? I know the Bible contradicts itself hopelessly, so I'm wondering if it is really as absolute as they say.

Tubby Lardmore · 01-14-2006, 10:24 AM

I always got the impression that He felt unfulfilled until there were beings living in His world (that would be us wretched worms, as the hymn put it) who could love Him and tell Him He is worthy of great praise.

I have lost count of the times I have heard singers on TBN singing songs that have lyrics about how "we magnify Your name," by the way. Without us, His name would never get magnified by anything.

Zeichman · 01-14-2006, 11:31 AM

One of my profs believes that the Yahwist thought that God was lonely. Not sure how that's going to fly with apologists, though.

general_koffi · 01-14-2006, 12:01 PM

The ultimate display of narcissism?

Clivedurdle · 01-14-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

enesis 1 v 1, 2 and 3
Quote:
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said let there be light.
(KJV)

Being a bear of little brain, this reads like a very sophisticated Greek description of the four elements, which would place it about the time of Plato, Socrates, possibly slightly earlier.

It is also not obviously a description of the creation of everything - God, waters, spirit of God (air?) seem to be pre existing.

Light - (fire) and earth - (who says this means the planet - why not the element?) are created.

Heaven - may just be an upgrade on Olympus - did anyone see heaven as an element?

I was attempting below to question first if God did create the whole universe - I can't see that he did using the Greek four element view - water at least seems to be pre existing.

Gooch's dad · 01-14-2006, 12:04 PM

He really really likes hydrogen.

Aristophanes · 01-14-2006, 02:03 PM

must be hydrophilic...

David B · 01-14-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooch's dad

He really really likes hydrogen.

And beetles

David B

EssEff · 01-14-2006, 02:27 PM

...and Beatles

Ahriman · 01-14-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by general_koffi

The ultimate display of narcissism?

... or self hatred? An inferiority complex? Masochism?

"Yes, call me nature! Tell me I'm not needed!" :Cheeky:

01-14-2006, 10:18 AM	#1
Alan the Atheist Regular Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 356	Why did God create the universe? Ok, I am discussing this with some Christian theologians who tell me that the Biblical answer is a clear cut 'God created the universe for his glory.' I can see that Isaiah 43:6-7 agrees with them, but is there Biblical evidence to support another view? I know the Bible contradicts itself hopelessly, so I'm wondering if it is really as absolute as they say.

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01-14-2006, 10:24 AM	#2
Tubby Lardmore Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA Posts: 5,470	I always got the impression that He felt unfulfilled until there were beings living in His world (that would be us wretched worms, as the hymn put it) who could love Him and tell Him He is worthy of great praise. I have lost count of the times I have heard singers on TBN singing songs that have lyrics about how "we magnify Your name," by the way. Without us, His name would never get magnified by anything.

01-14-2006, 11:31 AM	#3
Zeichman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 562	One of my profs believes that the Yahwist thought that God was lonely. Not sure how that's going to fly with apologists, though.

01-14-2006, 12:01 PM	#4
general_koffi Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 10,887	The ultimate display of narcissism?

01-14-2006, 12:04 PM	#6
Gooch's dad Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 3,508	He really really likes hydrogen.

01-14-2006, 02:03 PM	#7
Aristophanes Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 4,729	must be hydrophilic...

01-14-2006, 02:27 PM	#9
EssEff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 5,641	...and Beatles

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