5

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDWARD WATSONS WEBWORLD"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDWARD WATS</B><B>ON'S WEBWORLD</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION"><U><B>SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PART 1: DOES JESUS HAVE A PREEXISTENCE?"><U><B>PART 1: DOES JESUS HAVE A PRE-EXISTENCE?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id86.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1"><U><B>1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PART 2: IS JESUS GOD?"><U><B>PART 2: IS JESUS "GOD"?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1"><U><B>1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2"><U><B>2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3"><U><B>3</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4"><U><B>4</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5"><U><B>5</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6"><U><B>6</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id94.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7"><U><B>7</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8"><U><B>8</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PART 2: CONCLUSION"><U><B>PART 2: CONCLUSION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PART 3: ARE JESUS AND JEHOVAH THE SAME?"><U><B>PART 3: ARE JESUS AND JEHOVAH THE SAME?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1"><U><B>1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2"><U><B>2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3"><U><B>3</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4"><U><B>4</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>5</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6"><U><B>6</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7"><U><B>7</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8"><U><B>8</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PART 3: CONCLUSION"><U><B>PART 3: CONCLUSION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 2: APPENDIX"><U><B>SECTION 2: APPENDIX</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 2: CONCLUSION"><U><B>SECTION 2: CONCLUSION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABBREVIATIONS"><U><B>ABBREVIATIONS</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. 327-336. MORMONISM: Section 2, Part 3, Chapter 5. All rights reserved.]</B></div> <bR> <div> <U>CHAPTER 5</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Passages Used in Claiming Jesus Christ isn't YHWH</B></div> <bR> <div>      There are at least a hundred and sixty passages in the Bible that can be used to show Jesus is the Jehovah of the OT. Mormons who aren't biblical scholars often overlook the fact that <B>Jesus is also the Son of Jehovah</B> (YHWH). There are some passages (Ps  110:1; Isa  53:5-7,10-12; Ex  6:3-Acts  3:13) that show quite convincingly that  Jesus is a separate being from Jehovah.</div> <div>      Just as Jesus is the  Son of God (Matt  14:33;  27:43; etc.)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT> and  God himself (Heb  1:8-10; John  1:1-14; Phil  2:5-6; Heb  1:3; John  20:28; Isa  9:6; 2 Ne  26:12; Mosi  7:27; D&C  19:15-20; etc.); likewise is he the  LORD, (YHWH or Jehovah) and  the son of the LORD as well.</div> <div>       Jesus' name in the OT was “Jehovah” (YHWH) but  the Father could also be called “Jehovah” as well just as both the Father and the Son can be called  “Lord” or “God” (in Hebrew, <I>El, Eloh</I> or the plural <I>Elohim</I>).</div> <bR> <div>   Denying the fact that Jesus Christ can be called “the Son of Jehovah” or “the Son of the LORD” is like affirming Jesus being “God” but not “the Son of God.”</div> <bR> <div>       Some members and missionaries have a tendency to emphasize Jesus being Jehovah and then deny him being the Son of Jehovah. Why? This is like emphasizing Jesus Christ being God but denying that he is also the Son of God. Just because the  Jehovah's Witnesses may deny Jesus Christ being Jehovah but affirm him being the Son of Jehovah, shouldn't cause us to go in the opposite direction. </div> <div>      The LDS church believes what the Bible teaches as a whole. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God. We believe that. It teaches that he is also the  Son of God. We accept that too. It also teaches that  Jesus is the Jehovah of the OT. We believe that. It also teaches that Jesus is also the  Son of Jehovah. We believe that also. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Jesus is separate from Jehovah</B></div> <div>  </div> <div>      The Bible and the Latter-day Scriptures (Moro  10:34; D&C  110:3-4) are quite clear that  Jesus is the personage known as Jehovah of the OT. The Bible is also clear that  Jesus is the Son of Jehovah or is separate from Jehovah. This is identical with the clarity of the Scriptures in affirming   Jesus is both the “Son of God” and “God” as well.</div> <div>      The conflict between the “Jesus is Jehovah” passages with the “Jesus is separate from Jehovah” passages is resolved by accepting both positions and viewing “Jehovah” to be a titular reference similar to a “Doctor.” A person can be sitting at the right hand side of a Doctor and be a Doctor himself<I> if both are doctors.</I></div> <div>      Furthermore, it is still possible for the concept to be correct even if “Jehovah” is viewed as a name. A person can be sitting next to Mike and be Mike himself <I>if both have the same name.</I></div> <div>      This is further illustrated if “Jehovah” is used as both a title and name. A person can be sitting next to Dr. Thompson and be Dr. Thompson himself<I> if both are doctors and both have the same name.</I></div> <div>      The <I>only</I> way to deny the word “Jehovah” to Jesus would be to specifically attach it as an exclusive term to a specific being, i.e., Heavenly Father. However, it is impossible to exclude Jesus from using the name because the Bible ascribes it to him and because he possesses the fullness of the “God” nature (Col  2:9), is in a state of equality with the Father (Phil  2:5-6) and is an exact replica of God the Father (Heb  1:3). Whatever Heavenly Father is and has, Jesus is and has (John  1:1;  16:15;  17:10). Anything that is the exact duplicate of another possesses all the descriptions given to the master copy. One can't label an object one hangs their clothes on as a “hanger” and exclude all other objects that are exactly identical, do the same thing, made from the same substance and comes from the same manufacturer.</div> <div>      As mentioned above, the word Jehovah comes from the Hebrew word YHWH which is also translated as “LORD” in the Bible and the word “God” comes from the Hebrew word  Elohim, Eloh or El.</div> <div>      Jehovah and Elohim are often interchanged in the Bible and are  combined at least five hundred times in the OT as a descriptive term for either the Father or the Son. The first instance that this is so is in Gen  2 which mentions numerous times, “the LORD God” or more clearly, “Jehovah Elohim.” The earliest Hebrews viewed El (Elohim) and Jehovah to be two separate beings (as evidenced by the J and E authors and Deut  32:8 cf. Judg  11:12-28)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT> and the joining of Elohim and Jehovah is viewed by numerous scholars as beginning when the Israelites began viewing the plural Elohim as singular, close to the Redactor's period (“Jehovah- i.e. God” [Elohim/Eloh/El]) after the Exile. </div> <bR> <div>   <B>The term “Jehovah Elohim” can refer to either the Father or the Son. </B></div> <bR> <div>      Consequently, either the Father or the Son can be called “Jehovah” and either the Father or the Son can be called “ Elohim/El/Eloh.”</div> <div>      This most probably is due to the curious phenomena of the divine bestowal of authority (see Chapter 6). This means the Son can speak for the Father as if he was the Father, just as angels can speak for the Son as if they were the Son. This interchangeability between men, Heavenly Father, Jesus and angels is apparent in both the Bible and the Latter-day Scriptures (Gen  16:7,11,13;  22:11-12; Ex  3:2,4,6; Josh  5:13-14; Judg  13:20-22; Rev  22:7-9/ 19:10; D&C  29:1,42;  49:5,28; Mos  2:1;  5:9;  7:59-60; etc.). Because of this fact, just because the passage may say an angel doesn't imply it wasn't actually God. Just because Ps  110:1 & Isa  53 refers to  Jesus as the Son of Jehovah doesn't mean  Jesus is not Jehovah also. This doesn't mean they are the same person; it simply means both can be referred to by the  Tetragrammaton (YHWH).</div> <div>      A certain man, Dr. Thompson is mentioned around a hundred and sixty times in a book but he is also described as the son of Dr. Thompson around five times. Are these two identifications contradictory or complementary? X=Dr Thompson. X=son of Dr. Thompson. How can one person be identified as the son of a doctor and a doctor himself? This simple puzzle reveals the father of Dr. Thompson is also a doctor. Both the father and the son can be called, “<I>Doctor </I>Thompson” if both are doctors. Likewise with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Both can be called “Jehovah.” In fact, the usage of the Tetragrammaton is also sometimes applied to other beings such as  Enoch who is described as “the little YHWH.”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT></div> <bR> <div>      If we isolate Ps  110:1 and Isa  53 and examine them from a Christian position, the conclusion is undeniable that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of Jehovah and he isn't Jehovah. </div> <div>      There are numerous possible explanations of these passages. We will examine each passage individually:</div> <bR> <div>   (a)<B> Ps </B> <B>110:1</B>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" > <I>The LORD said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand</I>, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. </FONT></div> <bR> <div>      This passage is quoted and referred to 19 times in the NT,<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT> making it the most quoted OT passage in the NT.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT> Some Jewish apologists and the Talmud say this passage refers to Abraham who is to sit at the right hand of the LORD (YHWH),<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT> while the LORD took care of his enemies and referred to the time when Abraham had a war with the four kings to rescue his brother Lot mentioned in Gen  14. </div> <div>      I on the other hand do not subscribe to this idea. I believe that the second “Lord” refers to Jesus because he himself understood Ps  110:1 to be a vision of the coming Messiah (Matt  22:41-45; Mark  12:35-37; Luke  20:41-44).<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >7</FONT> If the second “Lord” refers to Jesus as the NT says, this means Jesus is sitting at the right hand side of Jehovah which makes Jesus a separate being from Jehovah. They can't be the same being.</div> <div>      However, such an interpretation explicitly contradicts the 160 biblical passages that show they are the same being. How is this conflict resolved? By accepting the view that <I>both the Father and Son can be called “Jehovah.”</I></div> <div>      Despite the fact that the Lord is sitting at the right hand of Jehovah (YHWH) doesn't mean that the second Lord is not Jehovah (YHWH) either. It is entirely possible that both are called Jehovah (YHWH) for the reasons given above and also because there are many places in the Hebrew text that the words “Lord” (either <I>Adonay</I> or '<I>Awdon</I>) and Jehovah (YHWH) refer to the same being.</div> <div>      Some Bibles and commentaries understand the second “Lord” of Ps  110:1 as “<I>Adonay</I>”(136)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >8</FONT> while the majority understand it to mean “'<I>Awdon</I>” (113).<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >9</FONT></div> <div>      If the correct word is “<I>Adonay</I>,” [My Lord] since it “ ... is used as a prop. name of God only,”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >10</FONT> this would mean the second “Lord” is another name of God. (Gen  15:2,8;  18:27,30-32; Ex  4:10,13;  5:22-6:3; Num  14:17; Judg  6:22-23; 2 Sam  7:18-20; etc.). “ <I>Adonay</I>” and “Jehovah” frequently refer to the same being. </div> <div>      On the other hand, Jehovah's Witnesses would claim “'<I>Awdon</I>” is the correct word for the second “Lord” in Ps  110:1, since it refers to a human around 300 times.  Even if this is the case, it still doesn't negate Jesus being Jehovah since it not only has to refute all the other passages that identify Jesus as Jehovah (which it can't do), “'<I>Awdon</I>” itself refers to God around 30 times (Ex  23:17;  34:23; Num  32:27; Deut  10:17; Josh  3:11;  5:14; Neh  8:10;  10:29; Ps  8:1,9;  45:11;  114:7;  135:5;  136:3;  147:5; Isa  1:24;  3:1;  10:16,33;  51:22; Dan  12:8; Mic  4:13; Zec  4:14;  6:5; Mal  3:1, etc.). <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >11</FONT> </div> <div>      If an individual insists Jesus is not Jehovah because of Ps  110:1 how could he possibly explain away the more than four hundred parts in the OT that show that Adonay and Jehovah are the same being or the nearly thirty locations that '<I>Awdon</I> and Jehovah are the same person?<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >12</FONT> It's obvious that<B> a mere isolation of Ps </B> <B>110:1 is unable to disprove Jesus being Jehovah</B>.</div> <div>      Upon examination of all the passages in the Bible about this topic, it can be deduced that both the Father and the Son are known by the Hebrew word “Jehovah” or LORD; and both are also known by the other Hebrew word “Elohim” or God. The appellation “ LORD God” can describe either of them.  Jesus was the Jehovah of the OT and he was referred to as LORD God (Jehovah Elohim) in many instances.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  <B>(b) Isa </B> <B>53:5-7,10-12.</B>   </FONT>But<I> he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities</I>; the chastisement of our peace was upon him:<I> and with his stripes we are healed.</I> All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and<I> the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.</I> He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth ... Yet <I>it pleased the LORD to bruise him</I>; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and <I>the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.</I> He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for<I> he shall bear their iniquities.</I> Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and<I> he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sins of many, and he made intercession for the transgressors.</I></div> <bR> <div>      Christians consider Isa  53 to be a prophecy of the coming Messiah who is Jesus Christ. This is a good passage for those who insist that Jesus is not Jehovah because it shows quite clearly that  Jehovah (LORD) is different from Jesus. </div> <div>      This isn't an either/or doctrine. There is ample evidence that Jesus is Jehovah. However, we do not deny that he is the Son of Jehovah also, in the same manner as him being   God but also the Son of God.</div> <div>      Jesus is the Jehovah of the OT, but there are two parts that would make it appear that he's not: Ps  110:1 and Isa  53 (Ps  2:7 refers to Christ's resurrection see Acts  13:33-34). Those who would base their entire argument on these two passages would do well to remember that there are over a hundred and sixty biblical passages (identified in this study) that can be given to show  Jesus Christ and Jehovah are the same being. Just as Jesus is the Son of God (Matt  14:33;  27:43; etc.)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >13</FONT> but also God; likewise is he the Son of Jehovah (YHWH) and Jehovah (YHWH) also.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  <B>(c) Ex  6:3  </B></FONT>And <I>I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob,</I> by the name of God Almighty, but by my name <I>JEHOVAH</I> was I not known to them. / <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <B>Acts</B> <B> 3:13 </B></FONT><I>The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob,</I> the God of our Fathers, hath glorified <I>his Son Jesus;</I> whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. </div> <bR> <div>      Exodus  6:3 shows the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is Jehovah and Acts  3:13 says Jesus is the Son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  It then appears that Jesus is the Son of Jehovah.</div> <div>      It is entirely possible that these two passages are actually about two different creators. Exodus is about our physical creator - Jesus (Jehovah), and Acts is about our spiritual creator, which is  Heavenly Father (Elohim). Jesus Christ was the one who formed Adam's body in the Garden of Eden, in the sense of becoming our physical Father by virtue of creator. Elohim is our spiritual Father according to Heb  12:9 and Acts  17:28-29. The Bible clearly shows  Jesus Christ is Jehovah and Acts  3:13 most likely is talking about Elohim or the creator of the spirits of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.</div> <div>      On the other hand, since both the Father and Son are known as Jehovah, it doesn't matter how many passages some people may give to show that Jesus is separate from Jehovah. This statement is true.  God the Father was called Jehovah (YHWH). Just because the Father can be called YHWH doesn't mean the Son can't. In the NT,  Jesus is referred to as the Son of God, and also God. A substitution of the word “God” with Jehovah (YHWH) shows how clear this  Truth is. Just because the Father is referred to as Jehovah doesn't mean Jesus is not Jehovah as well; just as Jesus being the Son of God doesn't mean he's not God<I> in addition</I> to being the Son of God.</div> <div>      The fact of  Christ's dual-nature (being both God and man) has caused a lot of confusion among those unfamiliar with the biblical texts. There are many passages that show Jesus was a man but there are many others that show his divinity. A devious person to further his own agenda may focus on only one side of the topic and use twenty or even thirty verses that show Christ's humanity, and then declare that those constitute the entire biblical teaching of his nature. Anyone not familiar with the Bible can be duped into rejecting Christ's divinity because of this isolated interpretation. Whoever wants to know the real teaching of the Bible about Jesus Christ has to examine all the passages that refer to him and not just selected parts.</div> <bR> <div>   <B>(d) Ps  16:10 </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" > For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;<I> neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div>      A comparison of Ps  16:10 with Acts  2:25-27 and Acts  13:35-37 shows this  “Holy One” was Jesus. Jesus was the “Holy One” of Jehovah, which means  he isn't the same person as Jehovah.  </div> <div>      Just as with all the other passages, the Scriptures must be examined as a whole. Jehovah is also called the “Holy One” (Isa  43:14-15; Hos  11:9; Hab  1:12) just as Jesus is (Acts  3:14; 1 Jn  2:20). This means Ps  16:10 can't disprove Jesus is also Jehovah.</div> <div>      There is simply no doubt Jesus and Jehovah are the same being and this can be shown in over a hundred and sixty biblical passages. Jesus is both God and the Son of God; likewise is he Jehovah and the Son of Jehovah. The particular “Jehovah” Ps  16:10 is referring to is God the Father. Both can be called Jehovah.</div> <bR> <div>   <B>(e) John  14:28  </B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" >Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for <I>my Father is greater than I.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div>      There are three answers explaining this verse:</div> <bR> <div> (1) This is in reference to the position of Jesus. He functions beneath the authority and will of the Father (1 Cor  15:24-28; Col  1:12-28) since he is equal to the Father by having the same divine nature (Phil  2:5-6). </div> <div> (2) A Colonel is inferior to a General in rank and position, but just because he is inferior in<I> position</I> doesn't mean he's an inferior <I>being.</I> A colonel has the same <I>nature</I> as a general. Both are fully human. A colonel isn't necessarily less intelligent, less merciful, functionally less powerful, etc. than a general <I>just because</I> he's a colonel.</div> <div> (3) When Jesus said this, he only had a mortal body. He still didn't have a perfect immortal body that the Father has. In addition, the atonement wasn't performed yet. But after the resurrection, Jesus became equal to the Father (Heb  5:9), not only in nature, but in all things.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> (f) 1 Cor  15:28</B> </FONT>And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall <I>the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him,</I> that God may be all in all.</div> <bR> <div>      Like any good Son, Jesus respects and gives honor to his Father and defers to him in all matters. However, this should not be construed as inferior <I>in nature</I>, because the Bible clearly describes Jesus as being equal to the Father in nature (Phil  2:5-6; Heb  1:3; John  1:1). Take the case of 1 Cor  11:3 which states, “<I>But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of every woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God</I>.” By following the reasoning that Christ is inferior in nature to the Father, does that mean that women are inferior in nature to men? Of course not. Likewise; Christ is not inferior to the Father. A good way to describe what Paul meant would be the word, “preside” which does not connote superiority but show the orderly assignment of position. First among equals. Heavenly Father is the “Commander in Chief” and Jesus Christ is his “Head of the Armed Forces.” <I>Jesus Christ's </I> <I>inferiority is only due to his position in rank and authority, but he is equal to the Father in nature.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>  (g) Deut  6:4 </B>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" >Hear, O Israel: <I>The LORD our God is one LORD.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div>      This verse can be rendered, “Hear, O Israel, YHWH (Jehovah) our God (Elohim) is one YHWH (Jehovah).” Our critics say this passage shows YHWH (Jehovah) and Elohim are the same person, which is against the Mormon teaching that Elohim and Jehovah are two separate persons  united in all things.</div> <div>      Does this passage really teach that? Let's examine this verse some more. The Hebrew word “<I>echad</I>” (259) for “one” comes from the root word '<I>achad</I> (258) which means to unify.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >14</FONT> It is translated in nearly all instances to mean a singular one but is also used to refer to multiple persons who are united. Compare it with these passages in the Bible:</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" >  </FONT>Gen <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, <I>the people is one,</I> and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.</div> <bR> <div>      Do our critics insist only one person built the Tower of Babel?</div> <div>  </div> <div>   Gen <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>34:16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and<I> we will become one people.</I></div> <bR> <div>      The same Hebrew word is used. By following the reasoning of our critics, are they saying that these people were to merge together and become a singular person? Definitely not. There were many of them numerically but they were to be united in  <I>one</I> purpose, will, goal, etc. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="BernhardMod BT" > </FONT>Ezek <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>11:19 And<I> I will give them one heart</I>, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.</div> <bR> <div>      Did God give the Israelites one heart to share with all of them or does this passage imply that they were united in all things? (Also see Gen  34:22; Jer  32:39, etc.).</div> <div>      Deut  6:4 supports the idea of numerous beings in  complete unity just as well as a mathematical “one.” In addition, since either the Father and the Son can be referred to as YHWH  (Jehovah) and God (Elohim), there isn't a problem with the <I>Shema </I>and others which refer to deity as YHWH Elohim (LORD God). </div> <div>      We use “ Elohim” in reference to Heavenly Father and “Jehovah” in reference to Jesus<I> as a practical way of distinguishing the two.</I> I don't know of any revelation from God that reveals the real name of Heavenly Father and the correct pronunciation of YHWH. </div> <bR> <div>   In the current state of biblical scholarship, if one is to distinguish the Father and the Son, it probably would be more accurate to refer to Heavenly Father as “ El” instead of “ Elohim” and refer to the YHWH as “Yahweh” instead of “Jehovah.” </div> <bR> <div>      Some of our critics interpret “one” in Deut  6:4 to mean a compound one to support their argument that it teaches the traditional Trinity but such an argument isn't supported by the evidence.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other arguments:</B> </div> <bR> <div>      Sometimes, our critics will use biblical passages such as Ex  20:2-3;  34:14; Ps  135:5; Deut  5:6-7 which mention Jehovah being the supreme God and he is above all other gods or elohim. Their argument follows along the lines of, “If Elohim is God the Father and Jehovah is Jesus, these passages show Jehovah is superior to Elohim, or, Jesus would have to be superior to God the Father, which is directly against what the Bible says.”</div> <div>      There are four things that can be given to such an argument:</div> <bR> <div> (1) We refer to Heavenly Father as “Elohim” not because the English word “God” in Hebrew is “ El,” “ Eloh” or the plural “ Elohim” but due to being practical. <B>We really don't know the real name of Heavenly Father</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >15</FONT> but the reality of “ El” being a proper name<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >16</FONT> of the greatest God,<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >17</FONT> which only later on became a generic noun that means “God,”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >18</FONT> increases the odds that referring to Heavenly Father as “ El” or “ Elohim” may not be as far off as one might initially expect. </div> <div> (2) These passages that claim Jehovah (YHWH) is superior to all other gods do not imply he is superior to Heavenly Father if this passage has the pre-mortal Jesus talking, in the same extent that 1 Cor  15:27 has the same claim with an added clarification (i.e., the Father is exempted). </div> <div> (3) Because of the interchangeability of the term, it's probable that this Jehovah is actually Heavenly Father who is superior to all creatures in the universe including the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ since they are  inferior to him in position (but not in nature).</div> <div> (4) Finally, we understand the words “<I>Elohim</I>” or “El” to have a number of different meanings. (a) We understand them to refer to Heavenly Father who is the Father of Jesus Christ. (b) We understand them to mean “God” in reference to either the Father, Son or Holy Ghost, or to the three collectively. (c) We understand them to mean “Gods” or “gods” and have reference to those who attain exaltation in the next life. (d) And finally, we understand them to have reference to false gods. All of the passages in the Bible that mention Jehovah being superior to all other <I>elohim</I> or gods can only have reference to the last two understandings.</div> <bR> <div>      Jehovah in the OT was considered the only God or the only <I>Elohim </I>(e.g., Isa  43:10;  45:5,18,21; etc.) for the Israelites. How does this relate to the Mormon concept of Jehovah and Elohim being separate personages?</div> <div>      There are four valid answers that support the Mormon position. </div> <bR> <div> (1) There's only one “God” nature<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >19</FONT> [just as there's only one “man” nature]. All who have this nature go under the singular designation “God” just as all who belong to the “man” nature can be called the singular “man” when the focus is on their nature. </div> <div> (2) There's only one authority-Heavenly Father's. All self-aware entities that share this authority go under this singular authority. </div> <div> (3) Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are completely united in all things. They are perfectly one and their unity is so strong that they often go under a singular designation because of their complete unity. This unity allows the Son to speak as if he was the Father (see below). This is why we believe in “one God” despite acknowledging three separate and distinct persons (see John  17:20-23 which talks about the complete unity of the Son with the Father and of the possibility of his disciples to be included in that oneness). </div> <div> (4) The majority of places where Jehovah says he's the only God is in Isa  43-46 where the LORD is challenging the Babylonian false gods the Israelites' were being influenced into worshiping. He frequently referred to himself as being the one who created the universe and he's the only God. Jehovah was comparing himself to the gods the people were trusting in which were represented by idols. These were false gods.  Jehovah wasn't talking about the existence or absence of Gods in other universes; primarily because a  Multiverse concept is absent in the Bible and secondarily, because he was condemning idolatry and the gods these idols represented. Neither was he saying that there weren't such beings as Heavenly Father (Elohim) nor the Holy Ghost, in addition to himself, because they would be incorporated under the singular designation, “God” that Jehovah would be referring to.</div> <bR> <div>      This chapter has identified the biblical passages that are used in claiming Jesus is not Jehovah or is an inferior being to Jehovah. We freely admit that Ps  110:1 and Isa  53 clearly refer to Jesus as separate from Jehovah. Despite this, he is also Jehovah as this study has demonstrated.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[ENDNOTES]:</B></div> <bR> <div> 1.Topical Guide. Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship. pp. 245-246.</div> <div> 2.TDOT. 1:277; 5:520.</div> <div> 3.3 En 12:5; 48 [C]:7; 48 [D]:1; OTP. 1:265,312-313.</div> <div> 4.NIDNTT. 2:147.</div> <div> 5.DJG. p. 47.</div> <div> 6.SL. pp. 37-38; <I>Midr. Ps.</I> 110:4 (on 110:1);<I> b. Sanh. </I>38b; <I>Gen. Rab.</I> 85:9 (on 38:18); <I>Num. Rab</I>. 18:23 (on 17:21).</div> <div> 7.Also see Apoc. Elij. 4:28 and Barn 11:13; LBB. p. 158; OTP. 1:749.</div> <div> 8.TIB. p. 500.</div> <div> 9.Other spellings are “<I>adon/adhon.</I>”</div> <div> 10.SECB-H. p.8c.</div> <div> 11.TDOT. 1:61.</div> <div> 12.TDOT. 1:59-72; TWOT. 1:12-13; TDNT. 3:1058-1061.</div> <div> 13.HOLY BIBLE. LDS Edition  (1988). The Topical Guide, Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship. pp.245-246.</div> <div> 14.SECB-H. p. 10b.</div> <div> 15.It isn't really surprising why the real name of God is unknown given the ancient Semite belief that to know the name of God was to possess power over him [e.g., JBC. 3:12] which means anyone who would've tried to find out would be committing serious blasphemy.</div> <div> 16.TDOT. 1:259,272. “El” is used as a personal name around 50 times in Job and 15 times in Ps 43-83.</div> <div> 17.TDOT. 1:242-244.</div> <div> 18.EHG. p.8.</div> <div> 19.Hilary of Poitiers. <I>De Syn. </I>36; 69; <I>De Trin. </I>5:37; Gregory of Nyssa <I>Tr. Th.</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca"><U>e-mail me!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>