Monday, November 8, 2010

Is Jesus a True God or a False God?

I heard this fallacious argument from Trinitarians more than I can count. When will they realize that that question falls trap to the false dichotomy fallacy?

From the most authoritative encyclopedia ever created, the Mighty Wikipedia, says:
The logical fallacy of false dilemma (also called false dichotomy, the either-or fallacy) involves a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there are other options
And that's exactly what takes place. There are "in fact" "other options." For example, the text of Exodus 7:1 is fairly well known because in it Jehovah tells Moses that he has made him God. Trinitarians and others argue, 'yeah, but that's not to his nature.' You see, so they add or change the original point, and in fact this is another fallacy called Moving the Goalposts. Be that as it may, however, even if Moses isn't God as to "his nature," he is still God in another sense. In fact, this text demonstrates that Jehovah can make anyone whom he wants "God," in a Biblical sense, indeed, including Jesus!

Others have argued that Moses is a false God in this text, which in my opinion, is simply absurd. Exegetically, where do they get off on saying that aside from their preconceived notions?

3 comments:

  1. Absolutely! The most prevalent of the Trinitarian arguments, and also the easiest to knock down. I'll be keeping in mind the 'moving the goalpost' fallacy for sure.

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  2. The word 'God' did mean, in the first place, the absolute divine omnipotence but it was also used for the beings who served this deus verus [Latin, 'god true'= (the) true God]. That these were designated 'gods' implies reverence and recognition of Him who sent them and whom they thus represented. Consequently in the Scriptures (Exod. xxii, 28), not only angels, but even men could be called 'gods' [cf. Ps. 8:5; Heb. 2:7, 9; Ps. 82:6, 7; John 10:34, 35] without according them the status in the strict sense. [Martin Werner, The Formation Of Christian Dogma]

    This shows exactly what kind of theos Jesus is, a theos that is given his "deity' (Col. 1:19, 2:9) and serves the Only True God (Jn 17:3)

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  3. "The Hebrew for ‘gods’ (‘elohîm) could refer to various exalted beings besides Yahweh [or, Jehovah], without implying any challenge to monotheism,…"

    Taken from: Blomberg, Craig L. (b.?-d.?), Distinguished professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary, Colorado; Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. "The Historical Reliability of John’s Gospel: Issues & Commentary." (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, c2002), "The feast of Dedication" ([John] 10:22-42), p. 163. BS2615.6.H55 B56 2002 / 2001051563.

    Agape, JohnOneOne.
    http://www.goodcompanionbooks.com

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