False gods article

JohnH commented

2021-02-04 17:02:29 +00:00

Owner

The article says "These gods are not real, but people think they are real."

A translator suggested adding: "That is, they sacrificed to demons who were not God, see: Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20."

The translator's manager suggested something slightly more generalized: "Sometimes the Bible describes false gods [to whom people offer sacrifices] as demons (see: Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20)."

The manager said it's a helpful addition to the resource, since a "false god" isn't merely a "thing" or "something" (as it is referred to in the first paragraph) but is directly linked with biblical category of "demon," as expressed in the example texts (see also Deut 12:31; Jer 14:22; 18:15)

What if we rewrite the top part of the article like this:

A false god is something or some being that people worship instead of worshiping the true God. Yahweh is the one, true God. Some other people worship other things or beings that they think are like God in some way. These other things or beings are called “gods” or “false gods.” The word “goddess” is used to talk about a female false god.

People sometimes make objects into idols. These people worship and sacrifice to the idols. These idols are symbols of the people’s false gods. Sometimes the Bible describes idols or false gods as demons (see: 1 Corinthians 10:20). God commanded people not to worship any false god (see: Exodus 20:3).

The article says "These gods are not real, but people think they are real." A translator suggested adding: "That is, they sacrificed to demons who were not God, see: Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20." The translator's manager suggested something slightly more generalized: "Sometimes the Bible describes false gods [to whom people offer sacrifices] as demons (see: Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20)." The manager said it's a helpful addition to the resource, since a "false god" isn't merely a "thing" or "something" (as it is referred to in the first paragraph) but is directly linked with biblical category of "demon," as expressed in the example texts (see also Deut 12:31; Jer 14:22; 18:15) What if we rewrite the top part of the article like this: A false god is something or some being that people worship instead of worshiping the true God. Yahweh is the one, true God. Some other people worship other things or beings that they think are like God in some way. These other things or beings are called “gods” or “false gods.” The word “goddess” is used to talk about a female false god. People sometimes make objects into idols. These people worship and sacrifice to the idols. These idols are symbols of the people’s false gods. Sometimes the Bible describes idols or false gods as demons (see: 1 Corinthians 10:20). God commanded people not to worship any false god (see: Exodus 20:3).

SusanQuigley commented

2021-02-04 19:33:56 +00:00

Owner

John's rewrite is much clearer. I just wonder about 1 Cor 10:20. When Paul said "what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God" was he saying that the idols were demons, or that the gods that the idols represented were demons? Perhaps the last paragraph could be

People sometimes make objects into idols. These people worship and sacrifice to the idols. These idols are symbols of the people’s false gods. Sometimes the Bible describes false gods as demons (see: 1 Corinthians 10:20). God commanded people not to worship any false god (see: Exodus 20:3).

John's rewrite is much clearer. I just wonder about 1 Cor 10:20. When Paul said "what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God" was he saying that the idols were demons, or that the gods that the idols represented were demons? Perhaps the last paragraph could be People sometimes make objects into idols. These people worship and sacrifice to the idols. These idols are symbols of the people’s false gods. [[Sometimes the Bible describes false gods as demons]] (see: 1 Corinthians 10:20). God commanded people not to worship any false god (see: Exodus 20:3).

drewc commented

2021-02-04 20:03:42 +00:00

Owner

Good change. I was wondering about what Susan said as well. Are these false gods really demons? I am not up to speed on my demonology.

JohnH commented

2021-02-04 21:27:04 +00:00

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Owner

Susan,

I am fine with removing "idols" from that sentence.

Drew,

I'm not really sure. 1 Cor 8:4 says "an idol is nothing at all in the world" which seems to mean that idols represent nothing since these gods are not real, I think that is why I had it worded the original way, but I suppose it could mean they are not real gods, because they are only demons.

I have heard plenty of people say that idol/false gods are related to demons based on 1 Cor 10:20.

Susan, I am fine with removing "idols" from that sentence. Drew, I'm not really sure. 1 Cor 8:4 says "an idol is nothing at all in the world" which seems to mean that idols represent nothing since these gods are not real, I think that is why I had it worded the original way, but I suppose it could mean they are not real gods, because they are only demons. I have heard plenty of people say that idol/false gods are related to demons based on 1 Cor 10:20.

SusanQuigley commented

2021-02-04 21:42:53 +00:00

Owner

Deuteronomy 32:17 - They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.

It looks like in Moses' day people thought they were sacrificing to real gods, but Moses said that they were sacrificing to demons who were not (real) gods.

Deuteronomy 32:17 - They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded. It looks like in Moses' day people thought they were sacrificing to real gods, but Moses said that they were sacrificing to demons who were not (real) gods.

JohnH commented

2021-02-05 14:19:44 +00:00

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Owner

Are we all ok with my rewrite and Susan's edit?