Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Question 5:
Q: Are there more Gods than one?
A: There is but One only, the living and true God.
For a few minutes late Friday night I listened to CNN report on a "scandal" concerning a private organization of Christian athletes. The supposed scandal involved a very talented high school senior who while a member of the particular sports organization, was denied what many thought was a well deserved award. The reasoning behind the denial was not comprehended by CNN; thus, the scandalous nature of the report. It seems that while almost any one can participate in the organization, only solid biblically defined Christians are eligible for scholarships and awards given away by the organization So the young man featured in the media clip was ineligible because the Christian organization refuses to accept a member of the Mormon cult as an Evangelical Christian precisely because the Mormon organization believes in a multitude of gods.
Of course the young man and his Bishop denied that they were outside of the mainstream and even denied that certain teaching of their particular sect. The teaching in question, is based on a concept found in Psalm 82: 6 "I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.' Unfortunately the CNN commentators were kept in the dark about the implications of the following verse seven and the full implications of the Mormon teaching related to the "gods" that they understood from verse six and any related texts. Verse seven taken in the context of verse six undercuts the cultic understanding of Mormanism. "But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler." You see, the Mormons take verse six a little too seriously and promote themselves to a form of equality with Christ.
Yet the worldly are mildly upset that any mere Christian organization should enforce any theological standards about who qualifies to be called a Christian when that person and their "church" believe that they are Christian. This is one reason why the historic doctrines of the Christian Church are important! After all, even the most minimalist religionist understands that certain doctrines divide people of faith.
Now let us be careful to understand the phrase that I just used. "People of faith" is a wide generic term currently being used to lump together certain of the world's religions. Thus Judaism, Christianity, Islam and any cults related to these peoples of faith would all be lumped together as somehow doctrinally similar. We know from our essential doctrines that the three religions and the related cults are not all equal. Correct and essential doctrine would point out that any who deny the triune Godhead or who would add to that, are divided from the true faith by any and all failure to believe the revealed truth of God's Word. This is the essence of our doctrinal question about God today, and very many religions fall short of the standard upheld by the Westminster Catechisms which is based solidly on the very Word of God.
Now, we do agree with the creedal statement of the ancient Israelites taught in Deuteronomy 6: 4 "The Lord our God, the Lord is one." This basic monotheism divided Israel from every surrounding pagan religion in the Middle East. Isaiah elaborates upon this essential doctrine in Chapter 43: 10 where God declares that there was no other god before Himself and that there will never be another god as well. In verse eleven which follows we see further that apart from the Lord there is no savior. Again in Isaiah 45: 21 God affirms again that "there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me."
Then in verses 22 to 24 there is the invitation "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will spear. They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.'" Certainly in the fullness of time, God revealed Himself in Christ Jesus to accomplish the salvation predicted by the prophets just as the historic witness of the Christian Church asserts. Remember, Jesus was crucified for His forceful claims of being one with God. "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), Before Abraham was born, I Am!" (John 8:58) "Anyone who has seen me, has seen the Father." (John 14:9)
Here is where we part company with both Jews and Muslims. The Christian faith is exclusive in believing that Jesus Christ was God incarnate. Of course, very much of the Church while giving lip service to that fact are just as careful to be winsome and agreeable to other peoples of faith so that they will not be offended by Jesus' claim that "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14: 6) It is Paul who puts the correct implication to John's quotation best. In 1 Corinthians 8: 5-6 we read: "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live."
Now let us be careful with the phrasing here. When Paul writes "even if there are so-called gods", he is not seriously allowing for any such existence! Any such demonic powers within the created order may have some claim to the affections of the misguided pagans who call them "god" or "lord" but in no way whatsoever are they to be considered as "gods". Of course, it is only within the last decade or so that modern new agers have begun to "resurrect" any pagan deities for personal gain, satisfaction and influence. So this threat to the Godhead of our revealed Father is still a minor flux on the horizon.
Of much greater concern is the denial of any and all gods, God the Lord included. This is why the worldly created the phrase "people of faith" in the first place, so that they would have a convenient category for those poor misguided ignoramuses who still believe in some form of a supreme being. Again, the people who take that definition seriously is small, even though their influence is great.
More likely the greatest error is amongst the general population who will admit to any and every survey that God does exist, yet do no more than that. That is why the duality in purpose of the Westminster Catechism is of such vital. Not only do we believe what the Scriptures clearly teach, but then we must go on to accomplish our solemn duty to obey and please the only God in heaven! Thomas Watson very quickly makes the transition to this purpose in his commentary. After all, even as the Scriptures teach us, the very demons believe in God and shudder in terror. Mankind who has been made in the image of God should go on and do much better than that! Watson makes the transition from the reality of One God to our duty to Him in this fashion.
First, if there really is One God as the catechism teaches, than all other gods are excluded and any religion that is polytheistic in fact or implication is to be avoided like the plague.
Second, if there really is One God, then there can be but one true faith in the world as Paul puts it so bluntly in Ephesians 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Third, if there really is but One God, then there is only One person that you must be careful to please. Once another teacher asked me why I just couldn't go along with the administration and do what I was expected to do. I tried to explain that I did not really work for the administration of the school, I work for my Lord and my God. It is Him who I must please first, last and always. Now, I don't do a perfect job and I never will because of my own personal flaws and the limitations of our modern workplac es.
But, if the three ifs of Watson are true, than the whole focus of our being should be on believing in and obeying the Absolute God of the universe. And if we would please the One God there are several implications of that fact with which we must be aware. John Watson lists several aspects of this pleasing our Father in heaven.
In all of this activity we are to always remember that there is but One God and Father of us all. In our daily habits we must be careful to not worship anything or anyone else. In every age, there is a sizable group of humanity who make a god of pleasure. They live life as if there was no other end to it. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die, this has been the cry of hedonists for all time. Also in every age, there is another group of humanity who make money their god and the love of materialists for their wealth has been the source of much wickedness and evil. Not quite as evident in the past but quite promising in the last hundred years is the group of humanity who worship their children and cater to their every want and desire. This I think was one of the great errors of the fifties when the young baby boomers were pampered and prepared for a life centered completely on the advice of Dr Spock and other careless advisors who did not see the dangers of such a worshipful focus.
- We please God when we comply with his will.
- We please God when we do the work that he sets us about.
- We please God when we dedicate our hearts to give him the best of everything.
- We please God when we love him above everything else.
A last group are those hobbit like creatures who worship the comforts of the belly. These sensualists endeavor to always be satiated with the good things of their favorite indulgence.
Let us not be like this worldly crowd, but let us endeavor by every spiritual means available to learn to please our Father. As we understand His revealed will, let us be quick to obey Him and follow His precepts.
Second, let us dutifully accomplish the work he sets before us to the best of our ability. For all of those who enjoy secular employment, this means that our work must be our witness because we do everything as to the Lord.
Third, let s give Him the very best of what we have. Now that does not mean like many cults would encourage to give Him double, triple or quadruple tithes. No indeed, very simply it means that you should enjoy giving what the Lord has asked of you whether it be in service or silver. I once heard of an older lady who couldn't afford to give much, but she did carefully wash and iron each dollar bill that she could afford to share from the blessings that the Lord gave to her!
Finally, let us learn to put God first in our lives. On the first day of the week, as we are able let us give to Him our grateful worship for being who He is. And let us thank Him always for the great salvation that He has mercifully given to each of us.
Resources Used:
(PCA) The Confession of Faith: The Shorter Catechism.
Watson, Thomas. A Body of Divinity, 10 Commandments & Lord's Prayer
Places Preached:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 132049 -- Columbus, OH 43213-8049
WSC005 12 May 96
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