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Old 08-02-2003, 09:44 AM   #11
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Default The book of myths

Written in the book of myths, hidden from the eyes of the unglorious is a myth about omniGOD, who was simultaneous. the sum of the parts divided into the whole. We became a whole lot of that part.

Quote:
Never your eyes see this, never your lips let part, the secrets buried in the myths of the GODS. (anon.)
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Old 08-02-2003, 10:25 AM   #12
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Default Re: What was the purpose?

Hi Amlodhi. Welcome to IIDB.

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Originally posted by Amlodhi
Was God lonely? I have had Christians tell me that God created man because he wanted someone who would love Him of their own free will. However, according to the biblical story of Lucifer, the angels had plenty of free will.
There is no biblical story of Lucifer! Perhaps you are thinking of the novel-sized poem Paradise Lost by John Milton. IIRC, the only mention of Lucifer in the OT is in reference to the planet Venus. And of course you have Mr. Satan in Job, but he doesn't appear as a Fallen Angel or a Devil. In any event, the Satan of Job is simply a literary device designed to motivate a parable about the Problem of Evil rather than to make a theological point about free will and angels.
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Old 08-02-2003, 04:58 PM   #13
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Thank you for the welcome, beastmaster.

Quote:
"There is no biblical story of Lucifer! Perhaps you are thinking of the novel-sized poem Paradise Lost by John Milton. IIRC, the only mention of Lucifer in the OT is in reference to the planet Venus."
John Milton's "Paradise Lost" holds a prominent place on my book shelves and has always been one of my favorites.

Also, I am aware of the Venus identification of Lucifer. Actually, Isaiah's intent (cf. Is. 14 : 12-15) was to compare Babylon (as the dominant world power, soon to fall) with the ancient Ugaritic myth of Helal the "Day Star" or "Lightgiver" translated in the Vulgate as "Lucifer". The myth speaks of Helal's apparent attempt to reach the summit of the heights of heaven only to be cast down to earth.

I do welcome all of your comments, however, perhaps some clarification is in order. The substance of the question presented (i.e. What purpose could justify such a price), is directed primarily to those who assume and insist on the veracity of the fundamentalist doctrine outlined in the OP.

I think you will find that, according to those who adhere to this doctrine, the "story of Lucifer" is indeed biblical. They take their textual reference from Lk. 10 : 18,
Quote:
"And he (Jesus) said unto them, 'I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven'.
Thus, in reference to Is. 14 : 12-14, the Rev. C. I. Scofield, D.D. states:
Quote:
"Verses 12-14 evidently refer to Satan . . ." and "Lucifer, 'day-star' , can be none other than Satan." The Scofield Reference Bible; New York; Oxford University Press.

Again, my primary interest is in how those who hold to a strict fundamentalist doctrine manage to rationalize the question outlined in the OP. Those of you who, like myself, hold to a more secular explanation of the bible narratives can justifiably dismiss the question as irrelevant in that it has no basis in fact.

However, as stated, all of your comments are welcome and will be read with interest.


Namaste'

Amlodhi
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