What is god?

I've heard much about how great and perfect god is. But can any of you christians tell me what god is? For him to exist he must be something. There must be something that binds him to our existence. And how is he able to do all the things he has allegedly done?

God is light and in him is no darkness at all..
and
God is spirit

Isnt the greatest mystery, that everything and anything came from nothing?

Don't like threads that one has to die before gaining the knowledge to the question. ;)

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>What is god?[/quote]

Part of the answer to your question is located here: <a href="http://pub7.ezboard.com/fabidingintruthfrm1.showMessage?topicID=18.topic" target="top">Click here</a>.

Sorry that's very confusing, I don't know what half the words mean <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":o"> . For example, this didn't make a lot of sense:

"This professor is as Ha'Mashiyach (Alav ha'shalom) is to humans. Even how Ha'Mashiyach (Alav ha'shalom) is to other messengers (Aleihem ha'shalom) of YHVH (Baruch Hu; Melek ha'olam). Ha'Mashiyach (Alav ha'shalom) is advanced enough to bring down from En Sof, and then bring it to the creation, for the creation can understand complex wisdom. "

hmmmm that was a problem.

I see what you mean, Mike, but when you strip the text from all hebrew words, it makes a bit more sense.

As I see it the meaning is something like:
God is compared to Einstein;
Man needs a "mediator" to understand the wisdom of God and his teachings.

This is always the part I hate most: when you ask religious persons something about their religion they look at you with a mixture of pity and disgust, then tell you that you wouldn't understand anyway (being not smart enough) if they'd tell you, so never mind. Yikes!!!!

You can use the same argument, dutchie. ;) I've won most arguments against the arrogant, hard-headed zealots by just using logic against them. It's hilarious because they get so baffled and start stumbling over their words. You know you've won that argument when they just start using the age old excuses "just because", "you wouldn't understand" or start quoting scripture to answer any question thrown at them.

Thanx, I'll keep your wise words in mind next time I am grinding my molars...:|

I don't want to answer the question "what is God", because it sounds as if it is referring to a substance.

I can answer "who is God", and this therefore begins to answer the question i.e He is a person.

I don't want to give the impression that I like to appear as if I know all things (technically) about God. Rather, I want you to know that I know Him as a personality. I understand (to a certain level) how he thinks, how he reacts. This is not exclusive to me. Anyone can know Him this way, but not without accepting Jesus.

If you want to understand "who God is" well its all in the Bible isn't it.

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>"This professor is as Ha'Mashiyach (Alav ha'shalom) is to humans. Even how Ha'Mashiyach (Alav ha'shalom) is to other messengers (Aleihem ha'shalom) of YHVH (Baruch Hu; Melek ha'olam). Ha'Mashiyach (Alav ha'shalom) is advanced enough to bring down from En Sof, and then bring it to the creation, for the creation can understand complex wisdom. "[/quote]

Okay Mike, I can shed a little light on this. The Mashiyach (English spelling will vary due to hebrew transaltion) is the Jewish Messiah. Unlike Christianity's Messiah, The Mashiyach is not divine but 100% mortal. He's no "Turn the other cheek" kind of guy either. The Mashiyach is supposedly going to be a great politcal and miliatry leader. He will bring Israel's surrounding lands under Jewish rule. Those that won't accept this, will be killed. This part of Jewish belief isn't broadcast outside of the jewish community, for obvious reasons. There are even Jews who don't kknow this. Just like there are Christians that don't fully know the Bible.
The study of Religions and Mythology is an ongoing hobby of mine.;)

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I don't want to give the impression that I like to appear as if I know all things (technically) about God. Rather, I want you to know that I know Him as a personality. I understand (to a certain level) how he thinks, how he reacts. This is not exclusive to me. Anyone can know Him this way, but not without accepting Jesus.[/quote]

How exactly do you know how god thinks/reacts? Does he talk to you? Or communicate with you in any way? What makes you think you know god at all?

The only people that I have head of that claim to talk to god are usually committed. So if you're not crazy. How do you know him?

Allright, now we know that, I'm still in the dark as to what the hell it means...

God is the Supreme Being. The Hebrew language uses terms for "God" that convey the idea of strength, also of majesty, dignity, and excellence. There are also false gods. Some have set themselves up as gods. Some have been made objects of worship by those who serve them.

Peace,

Paul

Hey welcome to the forums Paul. You've made some very interesting comments.

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>God is the Supreme Being. The Hebrew language uses terms for "God" that convey the idea of strength, also of majesty, dignity, and excellence[/quote] This sounds more like trying to define the word 'God' than explaining what God is. Is God anything physical? Does He exist inside or outside our universe? How does he affect our world?

This is in response to EW,

I believe I know by watching what He has done in my life over the last 17 years and of others who also put their trust in Him. These "ways" of God that I have identified do tie in with the God explained in the Bible.

I also believe that God is spirit. He is invisible and eternal. All that we can see with our eyes is temporary. Most people think that the material side of things is the centre of things, and that spirits (if thought to exist) float around it. This I don't believe is the case. Anything material is a shadow (and subordinate) to the heavenlies.
It is the heavenly (spiritual) plane that is the centre, and the centre of this is........God!

hmmmm

Do you believe that everything that happens in your life is caused by god? Say someone close to you dies. What does that say about how god feels?

I believe that we are the masters of our own destiny. What occurs in our life can be examined through cause and effect, action and reaction and so on.

I don't deny the existence of a 'spirit world' but I am very skeptical about it.

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Say someone close to you dies. What does that say about how god feels?[/quote]

They'll probably say that God moves in mysterious ways. My wife says that about me when I had a glass too much...:evil:

God could be the divine, the light, the innovator, that which is without darkness...

God could be the big bang...

God could be some presence that came about millions of years ago and set life on earth into motion, the solar system into motion, killed the dinosaurs and created man as an ant farm, etc...

God could be some intergalactic bum that stumbled upon Earth, made man and then watched and toyed with man during the days of the arch, set some bushes on fire and helped out Moses, then resurrected some guy who was nailed to a cross just because he liked his style. But then got bored, left and returned to his nomadic ways hence we have seen no miracles since the days of the Old Testament...

The point I am trying to get at is the world is infinite; therefore the number of explanations to explain our existence are also infinite. For every definition listed here, I am sure we could conjure 20,000 more.

I participate in college speech forensics. The FIRST thing we learn as an oppositional team is to never try and guess at how the affirmative will interpret the resolution. The reason is if you can come up with 100 cases they can run, they will come up with case 101. My point being, the bible is man made and therefore just a case...the claims above, same story...29 guesses (even if they represent the most brilliant scholars in the world) are still not good odds in a n infinite universe. I would venture to say God (also perhaps renamed as science) is that which is non-comprehendible by us and so we could never even begin to understand the true "creation story" but then that would only be guess #30 and perhaps guess #31 is the real answer...

Those who are religious need something to hold on to so that they have some sort of meaning or some sort of reason to "be good" in life. I say go ahead, keep your God as long as it will keep you good and keep you from harming me... but then again, I guess looking back to the inquisition, Israel, Palestine and all the other "jihads" of the world, that's not really a good philosophy is it...

Thankyou, Mike! :)

Hebrews chapter 9 verse 24 states: "For Christ entered, not into a holy place made with hands, which is a copy of the reality, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the person of God for us."

John chapter 4 verse 24 states: "God is a spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.""

Chapter 7 verse 28 of the same book says: "Therefore Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple and said: "You both know me and know where I am from. Also, I have not come of my own initiative, but he that sent me is real, and you do not know him.""

1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 44 states: "It is sown a physical body, it is raised up a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual one."

Psalms chapter 90 verse 2 says: "Before the mountains themselves were born, Or you proceeded to bring forth as with labor pains the earth and the productive land, Even from time indefinite you are God."

Many find this idea put forth in the Scriptures unreasonable, because our minds cannot fully comprehend it. However, this is not a good reason to reject it. Think about the following:

1) Time. No one is able to point to a certain moment as the beginning of time. And yet, when we die, time continues. We die, but time does not. Yet we don't reject the idea of time simply because there are aspects of it which we cannot fully comprehend. Instead, we regulate our lives by it.

2) Space. Astronomers have found no beginning or end to space. The farther we probe into the universe, the more there is. Yet they do not reject what the evidence shows. The evidence shows that space is infinite. These same principles apply to the existence of God.

Here are some other examples to think about.

1) The heat of the sun, according to astronomers, at its core is twenty seven million degrees F (15 million degrees C). We cannot fully comprehend such intense heat, yet do we reject that idea?

2) We are told that the size of the Milky Way, where we exist, is so great that a beam of light traveling at over 186,000 miles per second (300,000 km/sec) would need 100,000 years to cross it. Can our minds truly comprehend such a great distance? We accept it, though, because scientific evidence supports it.

So what is more reasonable? That our universe is the product of a living and intelligent Creator? or that it arose by chance from a nonliving source without intelligent direction? Some believe the latter because to believe otherwise would mean that they would have to acknowledge the existence of a Creator whose qualities they cannot fully comprehend. However, it is well known that scientists do not fully comprehend the functioning of the genes that are within living cells and that determine who these cells will grow. Nor do they fully understand the functioning of the human brain. Yet, no one can deny they exist. Can or should we really expect to understand everything about a Person who is so great that he could bring into existence the universe with all its intricate design and stupendous size?

According to the Scriptures, God exists in heaven, as noted above, in a spirit form, a nonphysical form.

The Hebrew word ru'ach and the Greek pneu'ma, which are often translated "spirit," have a number of meanings. All of them refer to that which is invisible to human sight and which gives evidence of force in motion. The Hebrew and Greek words are used with reference to:

1) Wind

2) The active lifeforce in earthly creatures

3) The impelling force that issues from a person's figurative heart and that causes him to say and do things in a certain way

4) Inspired utterances originating with an invisible source

5) Spirit persons

6) God's active force, or holy spirit.

Many wonder if God cares what happens to us humans. There is evidence that he does.

In the beginning, God gave man a perfect start.

Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 states: "And God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; male and female he created them."

Verse 31 of Genesis chapter 1 says: "After that God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a sixth day."

Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 4 states: "The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; Righteous and upright is he."

Man's continued enjoyment of God's favor was dependent upon obedience to his Maker

Genesis chapter 2 verses 16 and 17 state: "And God also laid this command upon the man: "From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.""

If man had remained obedient to God he would have continued enjoying perfect human life without sickness, suffering or death. The Creator would have provided man with the guidance he needed and would have used His power to keep man safe from calamity. Man rejected God's guidance and chose the course of self-rule. Man was not designed for this, and has brought calamity upon himself.

Jeremiah chapter 10 verse 23 says: "I well know, O God, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step."

Ecclesiastes chapter 8 verse 9 says: "All this I have seen, and there was an applying of my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his injury."

Romans chapter 5 verse 12 states: "That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned------."

Despite this, over the centuries God has patiently sought out those who based on their love for him and his ways, are willing to serve him. He has given us all the opportunity to enjoy all the blessings of which we have been deprived because of our imperfection and misrule.

Revelation chapter 21 verses 3 through 5 states: "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." And the one seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making all things new." Also, he says: "Write, because these words are faithful and true.""

God provided for us, through his Son, a redemption from sin and death. This is wonderful evidence of God's great love for mankind.

John chapter 3 verse 16 says: ""For God loved the world so much that he gave his onlybegotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.""

There is an appointed time when God will destroy those ruining the earth and will cause the lovers of righteousness to enjoy life in harmony with his original purpose.

Revelation chapter 11 verse 18 states: "But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give their reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.""

Psalms chapter 37 verses 10 and 11 state: "And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."

Some further insight into God is found at John chapter 16 verse 27 which states: "For the Father himself has affection for you, because you have had affection for me and have believed that I came out as the Father's representative."

Isaiah chapter 63 verse 9 says: "During all their distress it was distressing to him. And his own personal messenger saved them. In his love and in his compassion he himself repurchased them, and he proceeded to lift them up and carry them all the days of long ago."

1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 11 says: "according to the glorious good news of the happy God, with which I was entrusted."

These Scriptures show us that God does have feelings, very similar to humans.

Peace,

Paul

Thanks, very interesting reading.

Persuading a scientist to believe what he can't understand is always going to be difficult. But it is a good point that there is lots in the world that is true that we don't understand. I am inclined to believe in God, though not the Christian one.

Why would this God create a world? Why would he allow evil? If he does have a personality (feeling anger, jealosy etc), how can he be perfect? Why should God care about us?

Most Christians tend to hide behind the idea that we can't understand God so there is no point asking these questions. But if we don't try, how can we know what to believe?

You're welcome! I'm glad you think so!

Why God created the world can only be speculated. Perhaps due to his love, he wanted to create a world of people who would love him and his spirit sons back.

The reason he allows evil is because Satan raised serious issues.

These were:

1) God's right to rule and whether he was correct in what he told his creations. Satan claimed God was withholding freedom from mankind that would contribute to mankind's happiness. He also claimed that man did not need God, and that man could govern himself successfully and that man did not need to obey God in order to survive as individuals and as a race. Satan also claimed God had been dishonest in giving a law that stated disobedience would result in mankind's death.

This is all backed up by Genesis chapter 2 verses 16 and 17 and chapter 3 verses 3 through 5.

The primary issue raised was God's right to rule.

The next issue that was raised was:

2) The integrity of God's intelligent creations to God.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God it raised the question of whether God's servants served him out of love or whether they would all abandon him to follow Satan's lead. Satan developed this issue further in the days of Job. You can find this in Genesis chapter 3 verse 6; Job chapter 1 verses 8 through 11 and chapter 2 verses 3 through 5, and also Luke chapter 22 verse 31.

If God had merely executed the rebels and restored things to the paradise conditions in which they began, the issues would have gone unresolved.

God had nothing to prove to himself. He didn't want these issues ever disrupting the peace and well-being of the universe again, so he has allowed ample time for them to be settled beyond any doubt. The deaths of Adam and Eve was proof that disobedience to God resulted in death. We can see this in Genesis chapter 5 verse 5.

There was more at issue, however. God has permitted Satan and humans to try every form of government of their own making. None have brought lasting happiness. God has let mankind go to the limit in pursuing ways of life that ignore his "mark," or standards. We can see the results today.

As it says in Jeremiah chapter 10 verse 23, it does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

God has also given his servants time to prove their loyalty to him by their acts of loving obedience, despite the enticements and persecution they experience, brought on by Satan. In Proverbs chapter 27 verse 11 it states: "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me."

Those who are faithful will reap great benefits now and have the prospect of eternal perfect life in the future. This life will be used doing the will of God, whose personality and ways they truly love.

The thought of perfection is expressed through Hebrew terms drawn from such verbs as ka-lal' (perfect), sha-lam' (come to completion) and ta-nam' (be completed, come to perfection). In the Christian Greek Scriptures the words te'lei-os (an adjective), te-lei-o'tes (a noun), and te-lei-o'o (a verb) are used similarly, conveying such ideas as bringing to completeness or full measure, being full grown, adult, or mature, having attained the appropriate or appointed end, purpose, or goal.

Everything called "perfect" in the Bible is not so in an absolute sense, or to an infinite degree, without limitation. The Creator is the only one distinguished with this kind of perfection. Christ even claimed that no one is good except for one, God. We were made in God's image, with the ability to think, reason, and FEEL. Emotions are a part of God's make up and is shown to be clearly in the Scriptures.

Nothing wrong with asking questions, Mike!

Peace,

Paul

Paul, I did it, I read your entire post - not only this one, but also the one on the previous page. They all make perfect sense and from it speaks a spirit of true faith and love towards your God, no I mean it!

As I said, I read all of it and there is just one question that leaps to mind.

Why?

Why DOESN't God change our state to one of perfect happiness during our LIVES, but only AFTER we die?? When we're dead and we arrive in heaven, what kind of beings will we be then? Will we STILL have a free will to do what WE want, will we still have a choice i.e. to think "impure" thoughts??
And if not - why are we then interesting to God?? What the pleasure in filling heaven with mindless bots for the rest of eternity?? Why doesn't God promote us to Superhappiness while we're alive AND INTERESTING???

There was absolutely no sarcasm intended in this post...

What is it?
Why does he apparently exist?
Why has he created us?
Why is he so concerned that we worship him?
If he is perfect, why did he feel the need to create us?
If he is all powerful and satan defies him..... why not get rid of satan?

I have the feeling this will cause a series of very long posts. :(