1 Kings 22:19-22 shows the "court in heaven" and God soliciting ideas from spirits for enticing Ahab to attack Ramoth Gilead, where he will die. When a good suggestion is made, God grants permission.

Exodus 10:1-2 states clearly that God hardened Pharaoh's heart to not let the slaves go, so that God could display his "signs" (plagues).

Satan is a liar, and the father of lies.

Romans 9:19-21 NIV

One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 16 points 9 months ago (18 children)

Wow, sounds like a cruel deity that's definitely not worthy of worship.

[–] Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 9 months ago (17 children)

Hey, at least you're judging based on the facts of what the Bible says. God is who He is. He's not campaigning. You disagree with Him, but at least it's really Him.

Of course, that puts you in the same position as Job. You want to judge God. You want to put him on trial. You disagree with Him.

And if you have the opportunity to question Him directly, you'll say the same thing Job said.

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 7 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I'm judging a fictional character based on how he's characterized by the book he appears in. There may be a higher power, but the god of the Bible certainly ain't it.

[–] Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

Certainly? You have a better candidate? Baal? Molech? Satan, perhaps?

You do you; pick a side, deny the battle, anything you choose.

I'm quite seriously suggesting that the God of the Bible, and specifically the Christian God, is is the most perfect God that could be imagined, and yet wholly unexpected as He is revealed. The God of the Bible soothes no one. He ruffles everyone's feathers. He is pure perfect and exacting. Yet there is love and mercy there.

Now, His followers have done a lot to screw up that presentation. But that's as it always has been. In the Old Testament, in Jesus's day, and now, the people of God - even those with direct divine revelation - have been misrepresenting Him.

Joshua 24:15 NIV

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. [Or the gods of reason, science, and unbelief?] But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Certainly. Any candidate that doesn't have a traceable origin as being created by people would be a good start, which all the religions of the world do.

I’m quite seriously suggesting that the God of the Bible, and specifically the Christian God, is is the most perfect God that could be imagined

Yes, that's what people of every religion say about their god. I'm guessing your parents are Christian?

[–] Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

"Traceable origin...as being created by people." You've set quite a high bar for yourself, but I assume you would consider your traceability as.....

Yes, nominally Christian. Raised in USA, fed cornbread and gospel music, prayin' at baseball games.

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 2 points 9 months ago

Here's an example of traceability. If the god of the bible were real, eternal, unchanging, etc., there would be no historical record of him being just another god in a pantheon until someone decided to make him THE god. This is just one example of many and you can do this with any god in any religion - there's nothing notably special about Yahwah aside from how popular his worship became.

I asked because it's especially suspicious if you have been raised from birth to believe in a god, even if it wasn't a main focus. My intention isn't to dissuade you from believing - I couldn't do that even if I wanted to - but just to encourage you to see Christianity objectively, looking at its history and how it compares with other religions. If you choose to have faith regardless, that's fine, and in fact is stronger than if you never questioned it at all. I just always prefer that people make an informed decision on things.

[–] Maeve@midwest.social 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Certainly? You have a better candidate? Baal? Molech? Satan, perhaps?

A rose by any other name...

[–] Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Maeve like in The Boys? I'm unfamiliar with the name from anywhere else.

[–] Maeve@midwest.social 2 points 9 months ago

As in Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. Sorry, I gotta move my butt. Have fun! Study the mystics, especially any flavor kabbalah!

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