(urth) Oannes

[James Wynn]

>> Lee:
>> I mean the God of the OT recognizes the existence of rival gods,
> Jerry Friedman wrote:
> In the early books, but not the later ones.

It never occurred to me that in the early books of Bible God is ever 
depicted as actually feeling to be in competition with actual rivals (as 
opposed to /effective/ competition for the affections of his 
worshipers). While the early books seem to assume that His worshipers DO 
believe in rival gods, the upshot of the storytelling seems to imply 
that the true circumstances are otherwise.

In Genesis, he condemns Sodom and Gomorrah even though they do not 
appear to be his worshipers. In Genesis one never seems to encounter a 
god he must compete with or overcome. In Exodus, God plagues the 
Egyptians and their gods are not even addressed. In Numbers, Balaam's 
prophecy seems to assume one God who blesses and condemns. Also, in 1 
Samuel, when the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant, they offer 
it before Dagan. Then the next morning the find the idol fallen forward 
on its face in front of the Ark.
Also in 1 Kings when the Aramites decide that the gods of the Israelites 
are gods of the hills. So they decide to fight them in the plains where 
they can be easily defeated.  So God thrashes them extra hard to make a 
point.
And in Job, argued to be the earliest book written, there is really no 
credible alternative to God offered even though Job's worship of God 
does not protect him from harm.

J.