By Mikkel Dahl
Should Christendom today need an elaboration on 'God'? Does not everyone within Christendom know of God? And also KNOW Him - more or less? Do not ALL know the meaning of the word 'GOD'? And Jesus Christ: WHO is He? Does not every Christian believer know? Has not His Church down through the ages declared "the Son of God", with much elaboration on the 'Godhead'?... Can something of WORTH still be added to that which has been written by Theologians and the scholarly?
Yet in this matter - even as in the Word of God - I dare to postulate that THERE IS A DENSE MIST OF FOG - to be cleared away; that the "doctrines of men" have replaced the Word of God to the befuddlement of humankind: that dreams conceived in the stygian night have been parroted down through the ages until now they are common property on "broken records"!
Wherefore, in this seemingly elementary matter, I also assay to discard in the spirit of finality, the trappings of man's creation; rudely firing the dream-stuff enveloping His Church throughout its night.
ALWAYS thus has it been with man since the advent of Lucifer: he seeks to place the fiction of his own creation in place of TRUTH. The TRUTHS in the Being of God ARE SIMPLE. But carnal man in his mania to rule over others, has invented 'creed' and 'dogma' to mystify the simple and to enshroud the plain. Thereby has a special 'caste' increased its "power over the souls
WHO is He? WHAT is 'God'? Foolish questions? Perhaps? Yet this is a FOOLISH generation, with 'drowsing virgins' in its midst. Wherefore, it becomes advisable to take a fresh look at BASIC FUNDAMENTALS - to the end that we may enter into the correct concept of that which is BASIC TO OUR BEING. For it is written:
No doubt we can love God in our crass ignorance, yet I believe it very helpful to KNOW more about Him through that which He has declared of Himself. Therefore, LET US LOOK!
Hence I propose FIRST to look to the meaning of the word "God". Secondly to the identity of Jesus the Nazarene, and finally to the "Holy Spirit", winding up in the "Godhead" - which takes us back to the "Elohim".
GOD
If a foreigner with a very limited English vocabulary were to ask: WHAT do you mean by the term 'God'? Would not the average Christian answer something like this? "God is A SPIRIT: He is the MAKER of Heaven and earth; He is the Creator of ALL - even of you and me"?
Although this general and common concept is largely a correct one, it is technically in error, and hence leads to many erroneous conclusions which get us entangled in the doctrines of man, and subject to the errors commonly committed in ignorance.
The ancient and original "Elohim" has been rendered "God". And His manifestation to man has been by many names and expressions such as: "I AM; El (strength); Shaddai (the mighty God); Yahweh (Jehovah: the self-existent one); the Holy One; the Lord of Hosts; The KING of kings; the Living God; The Most High; Creator; Savior; the Father of Lights; The FATHER" as well as other expressions which convey A PORTION of the Truth of His UN-definable Being.
But let us get to the bottom of this mystery, which Theologians call 'God'. So steel your nerves for the first shock! 'GOD' is not the name of a specific Being (even though thus commonly understood)! 'God' designates AN OFFICE! It is the term for a FUNCTION! It is designative rather than a proper noun! (Admittedly, Christendom uses it as a proper noun.)
Our English 'God' links with the Greek 'Theos' (from which springs theology, etc). Some have translated this word 'The PLACER'. But words from out of ancient languages are today conditioned in their meaning by the lapse of centuries, and the evolution of man's concept, and his ever changing - though gradual - amendment of the original thought (as conveyed by the inspired mouth pieces for Divine Revelation).
Wherefore, we must not place unlimited confidence in the definition of words, nor their modern usage, but rather DRAW OUR UNDERSTANDING FROM GOD'S OWN REPEATED USAGE OF THE TERM. Only in that way can we be sure that we are not blundering into error. So let us examine the word....
'I AM the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' God is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Matt 22:32; see also Ex 3:6).
Let us try out the idea of Creator or Maker: Would God say "I am the Creator (or Maker) of a people who had been deceased for hundreds of years? IF creator be the meaning of GOD, He would more correctly have expressed Himself to Moses by saying: I was the Creator (God) of Abraham - -. IF we attribute to God the qualities of wisdom, truth and honesty, then we cannot evade the conclusion that at ALL times He does express Himself correctly and honestly. Hence we see by this KEY expression which our Lord chose to silence the Sadducees, that 'creator' is not the suitable meaning of the word 'God'. The attributed meaning of creator may be not entirely amiss, yet it is not THE SPECIFIC meaning of the word.
Precisely the same must be said for the 'PLACER' concept. IF that were its fully correct connotation, then similarly must God has used the PAST tense, saying: I was the PLACER of Abraham etc.
The KEY to its true meaning was given us by the Christ in that He said: "God IS the God of THE LIVING, not of the dead!" We could not say: "John is the John of the living, not of the dead"! By which we clearly see that 'God' is not a proper noun? THAT is man's usage!
And, whereas Jesus proclaimed Himself ONE with the Father (Whom we call God), we may reasonably look to some of His other declarations to KEY with the correct meaning of the term.
Only on two different occasions did He speak of Himself at length and that as in two different capacities. The first we find in John 10:1-16, where He is "the good SHEPHERD". The second we find in John 15th chapter where He declared Himself to be "the VINE" - Although the latter has not sentient life, careful analysis reveals that the VINE in relationship to the BRANCHES (which He declared His disciples to be), is in harmony with the term 'shepherd'. He defined the functions of the shepherd: he who calls his sheep by name who goes before - leading them to goodly pastures; he who tends to their daily needs and comfort, and who - if needs be - "lays down his life for the sheep". HARMONIOUS to this thought do we find 'the VINE' as supplying the energizing sap which enables the BRANCHES to stay alive and bear fruit. Thus we see that the VINE is 'the KEEPER' of the BRANCHES, even as a good shepherd is of his sheep! 'Shepherd' is a very specific and limited term. So let us substitute its broader equivalent: 'KEEPER'. Now let us try it:
"God is the KEEPER of the living, not of the dead". We could change the wording slightly, making it even more lucid: "The KEEPER is the keeper of that which IS ALIVE, not of that which is dead"! With this understanding of the term GOD, we see clearly how He spoke volumes to Moses when He declared Himself in the PRESENT tense, as being the KEEPER of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Let us pursue the thought further:
"Fear not, Abram: I am thy SHIELD, and thy exceeding great reward," (Gen 15:1). Herein we find the thought of KEEPER emphasized. "Behold, I am with thee, and WILL KEEP THEE in all places --". (Gen 28:15). "I am with thee to SAVE thee and DELIVER thee --". (Jer 15:20) "Behold, I AM Yahweh the KEEPER (God) of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?" (Jer 2:27). "And they shall be my people and I will be their KEEPER (God)" - verse 38.
THINK particularly of this last expression: could He - in rationality - have said: "They shall be my people and I will be their CREATOR?" How ridiculous!
But we see how the thought of 'placer' is not foreign to the context. Only, it is too circumscribed. Indeed a good shepherd not only leads his sheep, but he PLACES in suitable
It is not for you or me; not for any Theologian nor any Pope to interpret the Word of God; God Himself has furnished the full elucidation of ALL His deeper expressions to man.
I can recall no passage of Scripture where 'God' is foreign to the thought of KEEPER. Neither do I know of any definition advanced by man, which answers ALL the contexts where 'God' is used.
We might attribute other thoughts, which are near approaches to Truth, yet fall short of the full and true impact as God has revealed it through His own expressions. We might say? THE BIG BOSS; THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, or THE DIRECTING INTELLIGENCE, yet we see that none of those necessarily implies the office of KEEPER.
THAT is the central theme of His declarations to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; yes, and to His people by the mouth of His prophets right down to the last of them. And THAT is the salient thought and the vital issue which Jesus emphasized and declared on numerous occasions: "Be not anxious for tomorrow ---( He will KEEP you). The very hairs of your head are numbered, (HOW He looks after you!)... You are of more value than many sparrows. --- Labor not for the meat, which perishes (leave all concern to your KEEPER). Worry not over what you shall answer, (TRUST your Keeper)!" We see in ALL these instances He stressed the CENTRAL THEME of God's declaration to man that He is man's KEEPER? And being a good KEEPER, He will NEVER forsake us, nor leave us to fend for ourselves. 'God Almighty' (the Almighty KEEPER) IS WITH YOU AND WILL KEEP YOU IN ALL PLACES! (Wherefore, RELAX and TRUST God!) "And Abram believed God (the KEEPER) and it was counted unto him for righteousness".
Undoubtedly, many of Abram's fellow men in Ur believed in a 'creator', but THAT was not accounted to them for righteousness. But Abram heard the Voice and accepted Him as his KEEPER; and, having confidence in his KEEPER, he left his friends and kindred and early environment to become a sojourner in a land of strangers: relying not on his own brawn nor intelligence but committed himself fully to his Divine KEEPER. THAT pleased God! (God wants to be TRUSTED; does not any father?) Wherefore, He chalked it up in Abram's ledger, and underscored it as RIGHTEOUSNESS!
You see, when once we FULLY ACCEPT the Divine KEEPER as being our keeper, then we relax and cease to fret ourselves about tomorrow.
What is more, we cease from our devious ways and from our schemes and conniving, LOOKING WHOLLY TO OUR DIVINE KEEPER (God). If POWER UNLIMITED is for us and watches over us, WHY WORRY? Or why scheme and cheat? The Almighty KEEPER will provide! ..... It is THE BASIC CONCEPT - when once FULLY ACCEPTED - which ENGENDERS RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Later we shall see how this correct understanding of the word GOD, dispels dogma, clears up mysteries and elucidates Scripture. But for the moment let us turn our attention to the far more befuddled topic of 'The Son' (of God) and search out the Scripture as to the identity of JESUS THE NAZARENE.
It is doubtful that any issue for the Christian has been wrapped in more MYSTERY and bamboozling dogma than that of "the Son of God". Usually He is ascribed Deity. And most Christians would - undoubtedly - pinpoint the SON as first commencing with "the BABE OF THE MANGER". Some declare Him as ONE OF THREE, but wrapped in the 'mystery' of 'THREE-IN-ONE'! Some ascribe CREATION to the Father, while later on the Old One begot 'a Son' to clean up the mess.... Still others declare Jesus as "THE ONE AND ONLY GOD and indivisible Creator"! Usually, such are labeled "Jesus ONLY" people. While to add further to the contusion, we have numerous cultists who label Him a very enlightened TEACHER and EXEMPLAR, but not to be confused with God the Creator. Some label Him an "elder brother". Most of these ascribe Him some special office or MISSION to perform. And still others that He was only one among many greatly ENLIGHTENED who have manifested on earth. And still others declare Him but "A MYTH"!
The thoughts and inevitable conclusion I shall here express, would have been quite impossible at the outset of my career as a TEACHER-IN-TRUTH. And readers of this treatise, who are not familiar with a number of my other writings, may find it difficult to FULLY accept the conclusions to follow. For, in one brief exposition it is impossible to present that mass of evidence which PROVES THE CASE - beyond controversy.
Wherefore, first let me emphasize the INescapable conclusion to be drawn from my innumerable writings (demonstrated like a crossword puzzle) that:
Wherefore, the corollary to this realization must be
(Please observe that "the revealed Word of God" refers to what is above mentioned, but does NOT include ancient history written and juggled by man - much of which is still scattered through the text of our Bible.)
Neither can we arrive at TRUTH by claiming the right to 'interpret' Scripture to suit our own ideas or alleged versions of Truth (mostly to bolster man-invented creeds)!
Therefore, whosoever has arrived at this understanding and faith should find little difficulty in shedding the cobwebs of dogma and man-concocted 'mysteries'; to come out into the glorious LIGHT OF TRUTH, and the enjoyment of that FAITH which is KNOWN to be founded in fact!
Our problem then is simple! Jesus said: "SEARCH the Scripture ---- they are they which testify of me!" (John 5:39). Observe what He said: not to tie ourselves to some theologian or man-appointed teacher, but rather SEARCH the Scripture (for ourselves). Neither to run to some 'intelligentsia' or parrot for an 'interpretation' of that which is written, but "judge for yourselves what is right"! Lk 12:57.
Here, there are far too many prophecies and references to the promised 'Messiah' (= 'Christ' or 'anointed') to be treated in a brief brochure, but we shall view an odd few which pinpoint His identity.
Presumably, no Scripture citations nor proofs are needed to convince the reader that He who manifested in times of old as YAHWEH, was the 'God' of the Hebrews, as well as the God of modern Christendom.
The passage already quoted from Jeremiah 32:27, states unequivocally, that the great Being then manifesting thru Israel's prophets, was 'God', and known as Yahweh. (The original soft Y sound was later replaced by the harder J; while Jewish reverence for the unutterable name of God led to the hybrid 'Jehovah', rendered 'Lord' in the A.V.)
The El Shaddai manifested to man, and declared Himself to be Yahweh. And scattered thru those revelations of Himself, He left His UNdisputable INSIGNIA - that man today might KNOW, and therefore rest in confidence.
In numerous passages, especially in the 10th chapter of Jeremiah, we are told that Yahweh was also the CREATOR (see v.12)... In Zech 12:1 Yahweh "forms the SPIRIT of man within him", wherefore the apostle calls Him "the Father of Spirits" (Heb 12:9).
Even by these few passages we see Yahweh as the CREATOR, as well as the FATHER of the SPIRIT within man; hence, also his 'KEEPER' (or 'God'). Now for the soul jarring truth:
"And I said unto them: 'if you think good, give me MY price' ----so they weighed for MY price thirty of silver. --- a goodly price that I was priced at of them." Zech 11:12-13. "And they shall look upon ME whom they have pierced---." Zech 12:10
Let the reader carefully observe by Zech 11:6 and 12:1 that was Yahweh (the 'Lord') who was speaking thru the prophet! And it is an easy matter to demonstrate by the simple wording in connection with recorded history, that the crucified Nazarene was He of whom the prophet spoke that should be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Moreover, it is a simple matter to PROVE by the prophetic factors involved, that the TIME of Calvary's Cross fulfilled Zech 11:12-13!
Wherefore, IF we are willing to believe in God's honesty; IF we will accept the declared Word of Yahweh, then it becomes
- manifesting in human flesh!
Of course, if you know better than Yahweh, then the inspired record is worthless (to you)! Or, IF after the fashion of Theologian This or Teacher That, you 'interpret' the Scripture to suit your own ideas, then again the inspired record becomes worthless and but a word-ball to kick around! (In either instance, reckon not your stupid conceit as deserving of public attention.)
But now converge a crescendo of voices to question: IF Yahweh indeed encased Himself in human flesh, did THAT SPIRIT rule the universe even while He was a babe - and thru later life? Or WHO was on the Heavenly Throne? Or was that vacant? Or was there some sort of mystic 'ray' of Himself on the Throne or may be in the body of Jesus (making Him a Divine schizophrenic)? And who was the 'Father' of whom Jesus spoke, whom He also referred to as His 'God'? And is it not foolish to suppose that Yahweh the Almighty: Creator of Heaven and earth and the Father of angelic orders and the Spirit in man, would indeed subject Himself for 33 years to the limitations of a human body, and the final agony upon the Cross?......LET US SEE!
First, when once we accept the honest and inerrant Word of Yahweh (SIGNATURED thru prophecy), we see at once that Teacher-This and Scientist-That who proclaim Jesus as merely man, but enlightened for His day and a great 'teacher', ARE BUT VENDORS OF DECEIVING TWADDLE, SEEKING TO EXALT THEMSELVES - by the HUMANIZING of Jesus, and thus to better foist themselves on the ignorant and credulous.
This TRUTH of the Yahweh Himself indwelling the body of Jesus, was finally understood by the apostles, at any rate by John who declared Him as 'The WORD' who had become human flesh, yet had created all there is! (See John 1:1-3, 10, 14). Much later Paul was given the same by revelation, for, he declared Jesus as the CREATOR of all things that are in Heaven or on earth, visible and invisible, even to that of angelic orders (see Col 1:13- 7).
When once this terrific Truth is fully realized, then does the Christian believer bow in awesome worship before his Maker: knowing that his Maker - YAHWEH - CAME HIMSELF IN PERSON TO RECLAIM SIN-CURSED CREATION -that it was not an old 'Father' (God) who permitted error to enter and later relegated the onus of its expiation to a 'Son' by the enduring of cruel torture and the shedding of His blood! Moreover, the one 'from Missouri' (who must have it proven) who has seriously questioned the possibility of the shed blood of any man atoning for human sin, realizes in a flash, that THAT LIFE which was and IS THE CREATOR IN PERSON, energizing and coursing in the blood of the Nazarene; had well within itself THE POWER AND EFFICACY to 'REDEEM' whomsoever, and 'ATONE' for whatsoever He saw fit. IF we dispute that, then do we LIMIT the power of the Creator:
As to WHO ruled the universe during Yahweh's 33 years' sojourn on earth, THAT becomes simple as soon as we correctly understand the term 'God'. 'God' was still on the Heavenly Throne. The Great 'KEEPER' (God) is whosoever has the POWER and the OCCASION to fill that office! Even in the affairs of stupid man, IF "Mr. President" decides to travel to a foreign country on important business, THAT does not mean that the Chief Executive's chair is left vacant! A 'deputy', in whom is vested sufficient authority, RULES in the absence of the other. Similarly in the days of Jesus: A 'KEEPER' was on the Universal Throne, attending to every minute detail!
Therefore is it written that He - Yahweh - " - - made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant (Phil 2:7). Another translation renders it more correctly by stating: "EMPTIED HIMSELF, taking the form of a slave ---".
That is, Yahweh EMPTIED HIMSELF of His reigning POWER ("made Himself of no reputation"), laying down at the Central Seat of POWER His "seals of Office", by which act He "erased His reputation" (great GLORY), entering into a slave-form, becoming known as Jesus the Nazarene. Even by the faulty translation in the A.V. we observe that He first voided His 'reputation', then took on Him(-self) the form of a servant. Observe clearly that it was NOT the Nazarene (the servant) who was content to not build up a 'reputation', but rather Yahweh Who "was in the form of God" (verse 6), that is, in THE OFFICE OF 'KEEPER'. That KEEPER divested Himself of His GLORY ("erased His own reputation") in order to manifest in the form of A SLAVE!
At the very moment of His doing so, another exalted Being assumed THE RESPONSIBILITY AS KEEPER: (God). Of that mighty Being spoke Jesus, terming Him "My Father and My God" ('Keeper') (see John 20:l7). Of Him Jesus declared: "My Father is greater than
The preceding is an excerpt from a 44 page booklet by Mikkel Dahl entitled "God - Who? What? Where?". Other chapter headings include "Godhead", "Father", "Adam", "Holy Spirit", and more. Get your copy for only $7 plus postage, or emailed to you for only $5.
Thank you for visiting. I pray that you are challenged to read on..
Return to "Dads Day Off" homepage.