Polytheism, henotheism, environmentalism and morality

Tuscany, Italy (photo from trekearth.com)

http://satireandtheology.blogspot.com/2008/05/formation-of-
biblical-canon.html

These are some of my recent comments on other blogs that I wish to share with my blog readers.

Comments appreciated:

http://mormonismreviewed.blogspot.com/2008/05/book-of-
mormon-guide-for-old-testament.html

That is a long article which I scan read, and I am not an expert on LDS Scripture. However...Certainly the Book of Mormon, being a much later text can borrow concepts from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. It can also attempt to amend concepts of the earlier books. I could begin writing a book today that would amend the Book of Mormon. But both Biblical Testaments state that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43, 44,45, Mark 12). Christians and Jewish persons disagree on the deity of Christ, but any belief in polytheism and henotheism is strictly not a part of orthodox Judaeo-Christian tradition. The LDS scholar is therefore left with trying to find lost (non-existent) Biblical manuscripts which completely counter the tradition and explain that there is more than one God. Most orthodox/traditional Jewish and Christian scholars can pretty much agree on the original meanings of Old Testament texts, but the Christian scholar can see how the New Testament revelation sheds light on the older text without completely contradicting essential concepts concerning the ontology (nature) of God and soteriology (salvation).There is good reason why LDS scholarship has not been largely embraced on religious matters concerning the nature of God and salvation.

http://plainlutheran.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/environmental-cya/

I tell you what, if the auto manufacturers produce vehicles in conjunction with the oil companies that have emissions standards better for the environment, excellent. People will start buying these vehicles that would soon be the only ones available at dealerships, if fossil fuel vehicles were no longer primarily manufactured. Gasoline could be available for those with older vehicles for several years and for those who are classic car collectors on a permanent basis.
I oppose liberal tax grabs and guilt trips against the common person who just has to get to work! The Lower Mainland/Greater Vancouver where I live takes approximately 2 hours to drive across and people within it should not be punished or chastised because there are insufficient rapid transit options.

http://trinitariandon.blogspot.com/2008/04/civility-in-decline.html

I lived in England from 99-01 and there is a general lack of Christian belief in the UK of course, and often lack of respect for family and authority. There is also at times, a questionable understanding of morality. Japan comes to mind as a non-Christian nation that still honours family and authority and has a notable idea of morality, and so the UK seems worse off than many first world countries.

I have sleep apnea and I listen to BBC Five radio via the web in bed at times. One night a few months ago they had a call in show concerning abortions and married women were calling in explaining how they used abortion as birth control because they had all the children they wanted.

Additional:

Ronald Clements writes the henotheism is a term describing the exclusive worship of one God, while at the same time the existence of many Gods is held to. Clements (1999: 248). Clements provides the opinion that the study of ancient religion does the not produce the concept that polytheism and monotheism present distinct stages in a progression and development. Instead they indicate a contrast of emphasis in complex patterns of religious traditions. Clements (1999: 249).

CLEMENTS, RONALD (1999) ‘Henotheism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.


Thanks, Professor Howdy


Thanks, Mom

Is there a meaningful threat involved here? Society should be encouraging men to drink less.


Thanks, Mom and Happy Mother's Day.