It is somewhat amazing to encounter this so called Biblical error. It shows beyond doubt that the questioner has virtually no knowledge of the Bible and its teachings. Here is the question:
God or Gods? In Hebrew, Genesis 1 mentions “Elohim” created the heavens and the earth. Elohim is plural (the rationalization of this is really extraordinary), and Genesis states that God said “Let us make men in our image.” Also, in Jewish literature, Asherah is the female counterpart to Yahweh, though the Bible condemns worshiping her. Nevertheless, she appears in the same Jewish literature the Old Testament is drawn from, but is completely ignored in Christianity. (10 errors found in the Bible)
First of all, Elohim is considered plural for/of El or possibly Eloah. However, it also often used as the singular, so it is of little consequence in this case. But, indeed it is used as the plural form here and simply because God is three separate entities. The Trion Godhead has existed eternally and consists of the Father, the Holy Spirit and what is now referred to as the Son, but is also recognized in the Bible as the Word (John 1) and is also known as the “I Am” (Exodus 3:14). In Revelation He is called “The Alpha and Omega”, “The First and the Last”
According to John, the first chapter, this Word was in the creation and indeed, created all things. The confusion in this matter is simply that the human mind cannot conceive of three separate entities being one. But when there is perfect accord in all matters, knowledge, morality, integrity, wisdom, they become one. When beings know every minute thing there is to know, when they are totally omniscient, totally omnipotent and totally omnipresent, there is nothing left to differ. They are one in spirit and that is what they are…spirit.
As far as the reference to Asherah, this has nothing to do with the Holy Bible. The questioner is wrong when she says her name comes from the same literature as that of the Holy Bible. Asherah was a Semitic mythology character who became known as the queen of heaven. It is believed by scholars that Jeremiah 7:18 has reference to her :
The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. (Jeremiah 7:18 KJV)
The fifth error proposed by the author of the 10 errors is as follows:
Faith or works or belief? Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is not of works, “lest any man should boast.” James 2:24 says man is justified by works and “not by faith alone.” Most justify it by saying it is both, but Paul is very clear that salvation is not of works, and even gives a reason why. Then, to add confusion to the mix, verses such as Acts 16:31 claim that belief alone is sufficient salvation. Not only that, but your entire household will be saved just by one person believing. Other verses show various conglomerations of the three. (10 errors in the Bible)
The lack of knowledge grows deeper and deeper. With so much self-inflicted misunderstanding, it becomes apparent why one would abandon the Bible. If one reads a few more verses beyond Acts 16:31, they see that the entire family was baptized immediately after they had washed the wounds of the apostles. That “belief” alone did not save the household and the one spoken to could not save the household if they did not also believe and obey…the Bible was not written with the intent of spelling out every tiny detail, but using only common sense and taking the verses in context.
If the writer of the article wishes to find the one singular thing that saves someone, it cannot be done. Let me name a few she has not mentioned. She has already mentioned faith, but what is not explained is just what type of faith.
Simply believing that God exists? Well, that is one thing we have to do. Read this:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)
Unless we are attempting to ignore what the Bible says we can see, without question, that faith is a definite prerequisite to salvation. So, let us not waist time on that simple fact. BUT, what kind of faith? That singular scripture shows that the faith must be deep enough to make one “diligently seek him”. Whoa! What does that entail? A lot! To diligently seek him means we have to strive everyday to obey the things that have been laid out for the Christian to do. Repent, how about that? Is that necessary? Does repentance alone save us? Confess ones belief in Jesus as the son of God. Is that necessary? Of course it is.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10 KJV)
That does not mean that confession, alone, will save one.
What about baptism. Does baptism save? It does unless you are willing to call Peter a liar, and I am not willing to do that:
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21 KJV)
But will baptism, alone, save us? Of course not. There are many other things that save us. The blood of Jesus saves us. Jesus himself saves us. Obedience save us.
When one attempts to discredit the Bible for saying that faith alone saves us, or that works alone saves us, they miss the entire message. If you seek one item to save you, obedience to the message brought to us through the New Testament, is the nearest to a singular item, however it includes many things and then there are the things mentioned such as Jesus’ blood.
So, Paul’s writing to the Ephesians is correct, no one can have their sins remitted simply because of their works. Without accessing the saving power of Jesus blood, no amount of works will save. But, James is also correct. Having faith but not strong enough to move one to do the works required, will not suffice. We must have unwavering faith, but that faith must be such that we believe everything else we are instructed to do, must be done.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17:10 KJV)
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