Why Elohim if God is Absolutely One?

[DLClark]

. Elohim. The most general (and least specific in significance) name for God in the Old Testament is Elohim. Although its etymology is not clear, it apparently means “Strong One,” and it is used not only of the true God but also of heathen gods (Gen 31:30; Ex 12:12). The im ending indicates that the word is plural, and this has given rise to considerable speculation as to the significance of the plural. Some have suggested that it is an indication of polytheism, which would be difficult to sustain since the singular (Eloah) is rarely used and since Deuteronomy 6:4 clearly says that God is one. Others have attempted to prove the concept of the Trinity from this plural word. While the doctrine of the Trinity is of course a biblical one, it is very doubtful that it can be proved on the basis of this name for God. Nevertheless, this is not to say that the plural Elohim in no way indicates some distinctions within the Godhead. Though the plural does allow for the subsequent clear revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament, it most likely is best understood as indicating fullness of power. Elohim, the strong one, is the powerful Governor of the universe and of all the affairs of mankind. This name for God occurs over 2,500 times in the Old Testament. Take time to read verses like Genesis 1:1 and remember that this one is your God in all the circumstances of life.—Survey of Bible Doctrine, A

 

[Lapell]

**Catholicism is not the only Christian denomination. There are many others. It just happens that most people who pick up my posts for a reply are Catholics.

And about this Fr. Mitch Pacwa, what could he have different from you guys that would scare me? When someone is sure of the Truth, it doesn’t matter how charismatic one can be. The truth is the same. All we need is how to handle it with expertise.**

To your first remark, it should be added that on a Catholic , Catholics are more likely to participate although we do have Christian Protestants.
I don’t know why you ask what there would be in him to “scare” you? I refered to him because I think he would answer to you even more as an expert in Catholic doctrines and Biblical stuff than most of us if not all. And you asked for expertise… Would you be afraid to rather go to him? Unless your purpose has nothing to do with teaching us the real truth, of course…

 

[Ben_Masada]

. Elohim. The most general (and least specific in significance) name for God in the Old Testament is Elohim. Although its etymology is not clear, it apparently means “Strong One,” and it is used not only of the true God but also of heathen gods (Gen 31:30; Ex 12:12). **“The im ending indicates that the word is plural,” ** and this has given rise to considerable speculation as to the significance of the plural. Some have suggested that it is an indication of polytheism, which would be difficult to sustain since the singular (Eloah) is rarely used and since Deuteronomy 6:4 clearly says that God is one. Others have attempted to prove the concept of the Trinity from this plural word. While the doctrine of the Trinity is of course a biblical one, it is very doubtful that it can be proved on the basis of this name for God. Nevertheless, this is not to say that the plural Elohim in no way indicates some distinctions within the Godhead. Though the plural does allow for the subsequent clear revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament, it most likely is best understood as indicating fullness of power. Elohim, the strong one, is the powerful Governor of the universe and of all the affairs of mankind. This name for God occurs over 2,500 times in the Old Testament. Take time to read verses like Genesis 1:1 and remember that this one is your God in all the circumstances of life.—Survey of Bible Doctrine, A

I don’t have much to say about the rest of your post above, which I pretty much agrre with it, but the statement in brown above about “im” being indication of plurality, grammatically, it’s true, but “Elohim” is an exception, as we have a few other words. Ephraim, for example, ends in “im” and indicates no plurality, as all proper names with “im” at the end are never indication of plurality. Hence Elohim, which has nothing to do with plurality, except when used by people who want to refer to angels or Judges, or even the gods of other nations, and this last, wrongly, because a more adequate form of plurality would be Elim and not Elohim.

 

[Lapell]

Ben, as our neighbour God ask me to love you. As your neighbours, God didn’t ask you to love only those of your people, but all of your neighbours. God makes His sun shine and the rain fall on every one.
If your threads are really meant to be works of love, it should show. But if a purpose contrary to love for others is meant and if you do love the One True God, I think you should reconsider what you are doing

 

[Ben_Masada]

To your first remark, it should be added that on a Catholic , Catholics are more likely to participate although we do have Christian Protestants.
I don’t know why you ask what there would be in him to “scare” you? I refered to him because I think he would answer to you even more as an expert in Catholic doctrines and Biblical stuff than most of us if not all. And you asked for expertise… Would you be afraid to rather go to him? Unless your purpose has nothing to do with teaching us the real truth, of course…

**Just tell me where this paragon of wisdom is and I’ll be more than willing to comply. I’ll be glad to bring my questions to him. “If Mohamad cannot come to the mountain, the mountain will come to Mohamad.” **

 

[Lapell]

**No, your question was clear enough, and my answer in #384 was adequate to your question. Death is the last station in the life of man. Death is the equalizing factor to set things right with God. With death all our sins are made white as snow. (Isa. 1:18,19) When Israel was doomed by God to die to redeem Judah, God had forgiven all his sins. Nobody had to die for the sins of Israel, therefore. **

Is that the way you would forgive your children, to send them to their death? What kind of forgiveness is this, Ben, tell me?

 

[Lapell]

**Just tell me where this paragon of wisdom is and I’ll be more than willing to comply. I’ll be glad to bring my questions to him. “If Mohamad cannot come to the mountain, the mountain will come to Mohamad.” **

I thought you would know. Ever heard of EWTN?
A global Catholic television network based in the U.S.A. …

 

[Ben_Masada]

Ben, as our neighbour God ask me to love you. As your neighbours, God didn’t ask you to love only those of your people, but all of your neighbours. God makes His sun shine and the rain fall on every one.
If your threads are really meant to be works of love, it should show. But if a purpose contrary to love for others is meant and if you do love the One True God, I think you should reconsider what you are doing

What for heaven’s sake do you mean? As a demonstration of my love for you Catholics I must become a Catholic? Why don’t you demonstrate your love for me by becoming a Jew? Do you see what I mean? This is not supposed to be love or lack of love. We are discussing our beliefs. What there is here to consider what I am doing? What am I doing that I should reconsider? Being hard to get? Not being easy to be converted? Can you explain why I should reconsider wat I am doing? I confess I do not understand.

 

[Ben_Masada]

I thought you would know. Ever heard of EWTN?
A global Catholic television network based in the U.S.A. …

**Never heard of it! I don’t have time for television. If I can get him in a forum environment or email communication I am ready. I need a situation when I
can take an active role, and not passively listen to what he says. **

 

[Lapell]

He appears on the program “Threshold of Hope” which he hosts on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Questions can be sent by E-mail or by phone. As for the exact E-mail address, I am not sure… I think it’s thresholdofhope@ewtn.com. They take questions and Father answers during the TV program. However if what you want is a debate with him, you will probably be disappointed. But if you have can sum up what you want to ask in a question, If what you ask looks like an attack, though, it might be dismissed. O.K.?

 

[Lapell]

**Never heard of it! I don’t have time for television. If I can get him in a forum environment or email communication I am ready. I need a situation when I
can take an active role, and not passively listen to what he says. **

Your role could be as active if you listen to the answer, Ben. Then you reflect on it and some time later you may ask another question.

 

[Lapell]

You have time to do e-mails… why wouldn’t you have time to listen to Fr. Pacwa’s answers on his program?

 

[Ben_Masada]

Is that the way you would forgive your children, to send them to their death? What kind of forgiveness is this, Ben, tell me?

Your questions have nothing to do with the designs of God with reference to what Israel had to go through to redeem Judah. And regarding death, have you ever heard of someone who is remembered for his or her evil ways after death? Save exceptions, the rule of thumb is that everyone who dies, he or she is remembered for the good he or she did. This comes from the fact that death is the common denominator to equalize all equations.

 

[Lapell]

What for heaven’s sake do you mean? As a demonstration of my love for you Catholics I must become a Catholic? Why don’t you demonstrate your love for me by becoming a Jew? Do you see what I mean? This is not supposed to be love or lack of love. We are discussing our beliefs. What there is here to consider what I am doing? What am I doing that I should reconsider? Being hard to get? Not being easy to be converted? Can you explain why I should reconsider wat I am doing? I confess I do not understand.

What is your REAL goal in discussing things in the province of the Gospel, the actual role of Paul as a Christian, and things that are supposed not to be part of Judaism? Is it really “to tell (us) the actual truth” it? Especially when it’s not? Other people have tried in the past, you know!

 

[Lapell]

What is your REAL goal in discussing things in the province of the Gospel, the actual role of Paul as a Christian, and things that are supposed not to be part of Judaism? Is it really “to tell (us) the actual truth” it? Especially when it’s not? Other people have tried in the past, you know!

For one thing, you don’t seem to try to check out very actively whether what you affirm is rock solid, or just only rumours and hearsay! You seem to previlegiate so-called (and completely false) experts

 

[Lapell]

For one thing, you don’t seem to try to check out very actively whether what you affirm is rock solid, or just only rumours and hearsay! You seem to previlegiate so-called (and completely false) experts

And this, Ben, is what I really think! To bear false witness is not a proper show of love for your neighbour. This is what I meant. Nothing else. O.K.?

Lapell

 

[Ben_Masada]

What is your REAL goal in discussing things in the province of the Gospel, the actual role of Paul as a Christian, and things that are supposed not to be part of Judaism? Is it really “to tell (us) the actual truth” it? Especially when it’s not? Other people have tried in the past, you know!

**First of all, I am learning. Second, according to Isaiah 42:6 where it says that Israel has been given as light unto the Gentiles, I am bringing light to you. Third, I am defending Judaism from the distorted picture you guys paint of it in the eyes of the world by using a religious Jew to insert Greek Mythology into it. **

 

[Ben_Masada]

For one thing, you don’t seem to try to check out very actively whether what you affirm is rock solid, or just only rumours and hearsay! You seem to previlegiate so-called (and completely false) experts

Everything I say can be checked in the Scriptures. I believe that there is no more credible source than the Scriptures.

 

[Ben_Masada]

And this, Ben, is what I really think! To bear false witness is not a proper show of love for your neighbour. This is what I meant. Nothing else. O.K.?

Lapell

Now, your next step is to prove that what I say is false witness. I think that the problem is that by being you guys incapable of refuting me, you
appeal to the low punch of name-calling my method of debating as unfair or desrespectful. Well, that’s the complex of sour grapes all over.

 

[Lapell]

Everything I say can be checked in the Scriptures. I believe that there is no more credible source than the Scriptures.

So you don’t rely at all on Jewish commentaries and on the Talmud, the Mishnah and the Gemarrah?