The Voice of the Good Shepherd from God Quest

God Quest is a site I highly recomend for those who want to see God "outside the box" that most of Christianity has tried to cram him into. I came upon this rather eclectic site over a year ago. It probably turned up on google when I was searching for my hot button topics (free will vs. sovereignty, suffering and the atonement) I have downloaded and read (at least once) most of the writings in the essay section and have since exchanged a few emails with the owner.




The Voice of the Good Shepherd and A Grand Experiment are probably my favorites. They both are similar in subject matter but I will focus mainly on The Voice of the Good Shepherd. I've recently reread (and reread again) The Voice of the Good Shepherd. The premise of both of these two articles is that there are two voices running throughout the OT. One is the true God....the other is the voice of the "destroyer" (satan) who has been given the power to impersonate the real God in this world. Both articles discuss two similar situations that involve Elijah and Moses......when God passed by them and allowed them to (really) "see" him. The author gives other examples where he sees evidence of the actions of "another" (false ) god.


The idea that there are voices of two different gods heard in the Old Testament is really not that far fetched. Is there anyone who has NOT wondered about the stark differences between the God of the OT and the God we see depicted in Jesus. I heard it said once that it seemed as if God "got saved" somewhere between Malachi and Matthew. Even today in the church system there are sincere believers who seem to hear the voice of a different God. The article presents the viewpoint that one voice depicts the "true" God.....the savior of all, condemner of none. The other voice is the one we learn to discern only through the holy spirit.....and realize that it is NOT the voice of the true spirit of God. Without delving into the sovereignty issue.....and with the assumption that God is in charge of everything whether he allows it or causes it.......part of the purpose is for us to learn to discern the true nature of God....shown to us in Jesus......under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

I randomly went through the Strong's meanings for some of the Hebrew words that are translated God....Lord in the OT. (It was very random.....and focused mainly on several verses in Exodus that were mentioned in the one article) It was interesting that one of the words (elohiym sp?) can be traced back....as the singular form of a plural word that has "false god" as one of it's definitions.......back farther to an unused root word meaning (among other things) "to twist". Not enough to base a theology on for sure but enough to pique my interest. I know how the names of God reveal the nature he is trying to demonstrate yet could the names not also reveal a nature that is not "his" (although he is responsible for what this entity/being/god does)? Following is a quote from the article:



Running through the sacred literature of the three monotheistic world religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, the voice of two “gods” may be heard. In what Christians call the “Old Testament”, the good God was identified as “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” In the book of Job, a second ruling spirit-being is identified, called Satan. The two gods (or “Lords”) converse and transact in the first two chapters of the book. The origin of this second “god” is further stated in Isaiah 14, called “Lucifer.” He is further identified in Ezekiel 28. An examination of these chapters reveals that the good God by sovereign decree has legitimated the worldly rule of Satan. He is free to impersonate the true God (do things in his name) and free to “deceive the nations.” Satan is a “minister” of the good God and subject to Him, for God is sovereign over all. Satan is the instrument by which the true God has “committed all humans to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32). When the devil (also called, the tempter) came to Jesus, he said to Him that he would give Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.” Though Jesus told Satan to “beat it!” Jesus did not deny that Satan indeed did have this kind of power to bestow.

As you can see in this quote it points out that Jesus never told Satan he did not have this power....just that he told him to get lost. This article blames the "god of this world" for many of the OT atrocities, the sacrificial system, the Law etc. Not that the true God is just sitting back ringing his hands saying "Whatever will I do" but that for some reason this realm was subjected to futility and he allows the destroyer to carry that out. However, it is important to him that we know his basic nature is incompatible with death and destruction because he clearly states that "he created the destroyer to destroy". Both articles are very interesting...and there are quite a few other articles on the site (many written by the site owner) that offer a unique, makes you think, perspective. I exchanged a few emails with the author/owner of the website. And since this the post is already too long, I will add a few other snippets from the article....and bring this to a close.

There are many abusive and cruel things recorded in the Bible done in God’s name that certainly were not done in his nature and were therefore not directly of the true God, though allowed by Him. Jesus said it is possible to discern between these two personalities by “their fruits.” Discerned through the eyes of faith, there are certain things that the true God will and will not do. The object of our faith is God himself, his character, nature and personality, not necessarily that which was recorded as being done in his name. If we cannot bank our all on God’s personality and His reputation for doing only good—then we are left with nothing to bank on at all! The litmus test to determine which “Lord” is speaking one need only think of Jesus: would Jesus do the thing?


It is a thought provoking article with much to think about. You really should visit the site and take a look.....