Baal Quote by John E. Remsburg
““That the writers of the Bible recognized a plurality of gods -- were polytheists -- is proved by the following 'And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us' (Gen. iii, 22). 'Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?' (Ex. xv, 11.) 'Among the gods, there is none like unto thee, O Lord' (Ps. Ixxxvi, 8). 'The Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods' (Ps. xcv, 3). 'Thou shalt not revile the gods' (Ex. xxii, 28). Monotheism, the doctrine of one god, is not merely the worship of one god, but the belief in the existence of one god only. Many were monotheistic in worship -- worshiped one god, their national deity -- while at the same time they were polytheistic in belief -- believed in the existence of many gods. The Jews who worshiped Jehovah have been called monotheists. And yet, for a thousand years, they believed in the existence of Kemosh, Baal, Moloch, Tammuz, and other deities. They believed that Jehovah was their national god and that they owed allegiance to him; just as the subjects of an earthly king profess their loyalty to him without denying the existence of other kings.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Bible, Various Books, 6th–1st centuries BC
The passage argues that biblical texts contain hints of polytheism, showing a distinction between worship and belief in multiple deities.
In simple terms: Biblical verses suggest both worship of one god and belief in many.
Key Takeaway
Consider historical context when interpreting religious texts.
Themes
theology
history
interpretation
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
explanatory
scholarly
When to use this quote
- academic study
- religious debate
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
polytheism
monotheism
scriptural analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile apparent contradictions in sacred texts?
- What role does cultural context play in religious belief?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook theological nuances and later doctrinal developments.
