Freethought & Rationalism Archive

BWE · 11-15-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

22And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

23Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

So, is he talking about angels? Other gods? I thought somehow the knowledge of good and evil was sort of yaweh's exclusive domain before eve satisfied her curiosity.

Anyone know?

spacejunkie · 11-15-2007, 12:17 PM

If you keep reading it quickly becomes apparent that God is schizophrenic.

Student of Sophia · 11-15-2007, 12:19 PM

Perhaps the masculine aspect talking to the feminine aspect?

Jedi Mind Trick · 11-15-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWE

Quote:

22And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

23Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

So, is he talking about angels? Other gods? I thought somehow the knowledge of good and evil was sort of yaweh's exclusive domain before eve satisfied her curiosity.

Anyone know?

I think it is a remnant of Hebrew polytheism.

Toto · 11-15-2007, 12:29 PM

It refers to YHWH and his fellow gods, since the Hebrews were not monotheists when this was written.

I'm sure that Christians explain it as god and his angels.

Yup - here it is: Biblemeanings [sic]

Quote:

On this account every angel or spirit who spoke with man, and who was supposed to possess any power, was called " God," as appears from David:--

God hath stood in the congregation of God, He will judge in the midst of the gods (Ps. 82:1)

and in another place:--

Who in the sky shall be compared unto Jehovah? who among the sons of the gods shall be likened to Jehovah? (Ps. 89:6).

Again:--

Confess ye to the God of gods, confess ye to the Lord of lords (Ps. 136:2, 3).

Men also as being possessed of power are called "gods," as in (Ps. 82:6; John 10:34, 35). Moses also is said to be "a god to Pharaoh" (Exod. 7:1). For this reason the word "God" in the Hebrew is in the plural number--"Elohim." But as the angels do not possess the least power of themselves, as indeed they acknowledge, but solely from the Lord, and as there is but one God, therefore by "Jehovah God" in the Word is meant the Lord alone. But where anything is effected by the ministry of angels, as in the first chapter of Genesis, He is spoken of in the plural number. Here also because the celestial man, as man, could not be put in comparison with the Lord, but with the angels only, it is said, the man "is become as one of us, knowing good and evil," that is, is wise and intelligent.

But it seems that the trend among Christian apoligists is this particularly lame attempt to solve the problem: another Christian apologist trying to solve Bible difficulties

Quote:

Since the Bible, and the New Testament especially, presents God as a Trinity (three Persons but only one God), Genesis 1:26 and 3:22 can only represent a conversation within the Trinity. God the Father is having a "conversation" with God the Son and/or God the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament hints at the plurality of God, and the New Testament clarifies this plurality with the doctrine of the Trinity. Obviously, there is no way we can fully understand how this works – but God has given us enough information to know that He does exist in three Persons, - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

BWE · 11-15-2007, 12:38 PM

So, um, he follows up by placing a fierce guard at the gates of eden, presumably so he won't have to check back so often, then a few lines later he asks cain where able is because at first he doesn't notice the dead guy because maybe he's hid real good.

And, he sent them out to till the ground but he had no respect for the fruit of the land but great respect for the slaughter of a sheep. Hmmm.

Mageth · 11-15-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I'm sure that Christians explain it as god and his angels.

That, or the Trinity.

spacejunkie · 11-15-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWE

So, um, he follows up by placing a fierce guard at the gates of eden, presumably so he won't have to check back so often, then a few lines later he asks cain where able is because at first he doesn't notice the dead guy because maybe he's hid real good.

And, he sent them out to till the ground but he had no respect for the fruit of the land but great respect for the slaughter of a sheep. Hmmm.

I'm tellin ya, it's schizophrenia. Christians should just go with it. It explains so much.

Student of Sophia · 11-15-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

It refers to YHWH and his fellow gods, since the Hebrews were not monotheists when this was written.

Yes, the other members of the Divine Council (or family) of El apparently. One of whom, it seems, was Goddess of Israel Asherah.

Clouseau · 11-15-2007, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWE

So, is he talking about angels? Other gods?

It could be referring to angels, who have moral sense, like the deity. Otoh, it could be pluralis majestatis, or the 'royal we' as earthly monarchs use, which would emphasise the inappropriate nature of the knowledge obtained, resulting in banishment from Eden. The NASB takes this interpretation:

'Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil."' Ge 3:22

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11-15-2007, 12:17 PM	#2
spacejunkie Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Planet Earth......... for now Posts: 1,089	If you keep reading it quickly becomes apparent that God is schizophrenic.

11-15-2007, 12:19 PM	#3
Student of Sophia Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Inner Space Posts: 2,707	Perhaps the masculine aspect talking to the feminine aspect?

11-15-2007, 12:38 PM	#6
BWE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 624	So, um, he follows up by placing a fierce guard at the gates of eden, presumably so he won't have to check back so often, then a few lines later he asks cain where able is because at first he doesn't notice the dead guy because maybe he's hid real good. And, he sent them out to till the ground but he had no respect for the fruit of the land but great respect for the slaughter of a sheep. Hmmm.

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