Mormon doctrine – many gods
The Mormon doctrine of many gods is not Biblical. Let us read the passage found in John 10:33-36 to better understand what Jesus was referring to: “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”?’ If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came…do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? (John 10:33-36).
The Mormon faith claims that Jesus, in John 10:33-36, endorsed the doctrine that men can become “gods.” But, Jesus here appealed to an Old Testament context to answer His critics. His quotation is taken from Psalms 82:6 which says, “I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.” The phrase “You are gods” was said of magistrates on account of the dignity and honor of their office.
Ruler or Judge
This point is apparent throughout the Torah, where the term translated “judges” or “ruler” is often elohim אלהים ̀ (e.g., Exodus 21:6; 22:9,28). Such a magistrate was “God’s minister” (Romans 13:4) who acted in the place of God, wielding His authority, and who was responsible for mediating God’s help and justice (Exodus 7:1). Rabbinical tradition applied the term “gods” to those who received the law. And Jesus makes His reply in terms of this tradition (John 10:35).
The Scriptures give example to that: Moses was not a “god.” Yet God told Moses that when he went to Egypt to achieve the release of the Israelites, he would be “as God” to his brother Aaron and to Pharaoh. “So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God” (Exodus 4:16). “So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet” (Exodus 7:1). God meant that Moses would supply both his brother and Pharaoh with the words that came from God.
One God
The Mormon concept of many gods contradicts the clear teachings of scripture. The Bible teaches that there are NO other “gods” in the sense of deity. And the Lord Himself stated, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7). And the Lord gave the reason for His command saying, “my glory will I not give to another” (Isaiah 42:8). Being the only Creator and the Almighty, He is the only One to be worshiped.
Jesus was “God” in an altogether different sense from that of Psalms 82:6. Jesus proved His divinity by the Father’s own testimony of Him (Matthew 3:17), His fulfilling of the Old Testament prophecies (Luke 24:27), His sinless life (1 Peter 2:22), the “works” that He performed (John 12:37-38) and His resurrection (1 Peter 1:3).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
