Friday, April 10, 2020

Gregory Stafford on the phrase "God of gods"


Latter-day Saints often cite the Bible’s affirmation of God being the “God of gods” as evidence of the ontological existence of beings who can truly be called “gods.” Gregory Stafford offered the following comments about the phrase which Latter-day Saints would appreciate:

The "God of gods." It is also very significant that the Bible presents Jehovah as "the God of gods." (De 10:17; Ps 136:2; Da 11:36) In view of the fact that Jehovah is a God, not of the dead, "but of the living" (Mt 22:32), these gods over whom God is God cannot be idols. Clearly, the only ones who are positively identified as "gods" in the Bible (and not simply "called" gods), and who continue to serve Jehovah, are the faithful angels.

Jesus, as God’s preeminent messenger, also continues to faithfully serve his God and Father. It is clear, then, that gods other than Jehovah are positively identified in the Bible. These gods are not equal to Jehovah, but they are spirit beings as He is, who are given authority to act for and serve Him. Regardless of how much power, authority or position He gives them, it is always "to the glory of God the Father" (Php 2:11). (Gregory Stafford, Jehovah's Witnesses Defended: An Answer to Scholars and Critics [electronic 2d ed.; Murrieta, Calif.: 2000, 2012], 120)