Genesis 6 - sons of God, daughters of men?

[Telstar]

You are wrong.

The “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis are the descendants of Seth.

Exactly! It can mean either one. The phrase, “sons of God”, is used in many places in the OT, as well as the NT. It’s either an indication of those who worship the true God, or angels.
“Job 1:6 Now on a certain day when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, Satan also was present among them.”
This one tends to confuse people who assume that this means they were assembled in Heaven. So, they think it means that Satan was also “standing before God” in Heaven. I think it just means that some holy men, including Job, were gathered together to worship and pray to God. Then, Satan showed up (as usual) because he wanted to be able to tempt Job. Satan converses with God, but he’s certainly not in Heaven.
“Job 38:7 When the morning stars praised me together, and all the sons of God made a joyful melody?”
Here, God is rebuking Job, asking him where he was when God created the world. In this case, He’s referring to the angels as the “sons of God”, who sang their praises to Him for His creation.
“Psalms 88:7 For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: or who among the sons of God shall be like to God?”
Here, the psalmist is referring to holy men of God. Specifically, I believe it refers to Christian saints (the Apostles?), since this Psalm is about the Messiah and those who worship Him in His Church (Catholic?).

So, the phrase “sons of God” can clearly mean either one, angels or holy men. This is why we need to listen to Peter.“2 Peter 1: [19] And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation.”
I think it’s safe to say that his admonition doesn’t just apply to prophecy, but all of scripture. So, we really have to be careful who we listen to.

 

[cjforJesus]

If God killed them off in the flood, why did it say they were here before and AFTER the flood? If they were here after the flood, than their particular ‘lineage’ is still around…right?, I cant think of any other mention of them after the flood, seems strange if not all of them were killed off, why were they not mentioned anymore?

Baruch does not necessarily say they all perished in a flood. Because they did not find wisdom and chose destruction and war they did not prosper. The lineage died off though that would not preclude DNA persisting in ancestors that mixed with other races.

Angels and humans cannot mate.Angels are pure spirit and each one a species unto itself according to St Thomas Aquinas.

It is a very common misconception though that the Nephilim were human/demon hybrids or even alien/human genetic experiments. This myth is perpetuated in video games sad to say.

 

[cjforJesus]

OK, than how did angels eat when they came down at certain times?, bible verse says they ate a meal at a mans house…spirits dont have mouths or stomachs either, yet the verse still says they ate. There was also a verse where 2 angels were almost raped…if they did not have bodies, how would/ could a human even think about raping them?

Angels seem to be able to take on the physical appearance of humans.The bible says to be careful how you treat strangers because many have entertained angels without being aware of it.

That being said the gift of procreation is given to man to propagate the species. There is no where in scripture that implies angels or demons can fornicate or breed. God infuses the human soul at conception.

 

[Dorothy]

OK, than how did angels eat when they came down at certain times?, bible verse says they ate a meal at a mans house…spirits dont have mouths or stomachs either, yet the verse still says they ate. There was also a verse where 2 angels were almost raped…if they did not have bodies, how would/ could a human even think about raping them?

mikekle,

Angels assume a body (appear to have a body) at times, when they appear to humans. They can appear to eat, so as to keep themselves from being recognized.

I believe you would very much appreciate the book “Angels and Demons” by Peter Kreeft. He is Catholic and teaches philosophy at Boston College. He gets his information, mainly, from the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Acquinas.

He writes in a question and answer format, and has a great sense of humor.

You can learn about the book here:amazon.com/Angels-Demons-What-Really-about/dp/0898705509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430845054&sr=1-1&keywords=angels+and+demons+peter+kreeft#customerReviews

 

[mikekle]

mikekle,

Angels assume a body (appear to have a body) at times, when they appear to humans. They can appear to eat, so as to keep themselves from being recognized.

I believe you would very much appreciate the book “Angels and Demons” by Peter Kreeft. He is Catholic and teaches philosophy at Boston College. He gets his information, mainly, from the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Acquinas.

He writes in a question and answer format, and has a great sense of humor.

You can learn about the book here:amazon.com/Angels-Demons-What-Really-about/dp/0898705509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430845054&sr=1-1&keywords=angels+and+demons+peter+kreeft#customerReviews

Thank you, I will definitely be reading this, as Im pretty firm on my belief in this area, Id be interested in reading a different point of view, and see how I feel about it.

 

[Telstar]

OK, than how did angels eat when they came down at certain times?, bible verse says they ate a meal at a mans house…spirits dont have mouths or stomachs either, yet the verse still says they ate. There was also a verse where 2 angels were almost raped…if they did not have bodies, how would/ could a human even think about raping them?

When God sends angels to appear to be men, He would most likely have to give them the ability to do whatever men would normally do. Or, at least to make them appear to do it. That doesn’t necessarily mean they were actually eating or drinking. Since you seem to be talking about the story of the angels that visited Lot, they certainly did look like real men. But, considering the fact that they managed to pull Lot back into the house, and blinded the people outside so they couldn’t find the door, I don’t think there was any chance of them being “sodomized”.

It would certainly seem that the men outside the house failed to recognize the fact that they were really angels. But, Lot clearly knew it as soon as he saw them, because he immediately prostrated himself before them. He insisted that they should come into his house, most likely to protect them from the perverse people of the city. But, I really don’t think they needed his protection, at all.