Hi Colofornian,
According to Peter, we are encouraged to be partakers of the divine nature:
2 Peter 1:4 — “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
I am deeply thankful for the LDS Young Women’s organization for encouraging the youth of our church to focus on spiritual values and and teaching the to escape the corruption of this world — of which there is much.
We encourage the young men and women of the church to put their faith in Jesus Christ, to repent of sin and follow His teachings.
Best,
Normandy
“According to Peter, we are encouraged to be partakers of the divine nature:”
Sorry, but Peter is also a monotheist:
Isa_43:10 ... before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
He did not disbelieve in the existence of everlasting punishment in hell, and he did not believe the central point of the Gospel was just to become worthy enough to become a polygamist god of your own planet, while those who miss out just dwell in lower heavens in eternal envy of the white and delightsome Mormons.
Normandy, I have respect for you; please don't do what Choose Ye This Day was doing -- wrestling verses out of context.
To hear Choose Ye This Day tell it in post #21, pagan polytheists (Acts 17) were ALREADY "gods" on this earth! (Along with unjust judges in David's time!...See Ps. 82:1-2, 6)
See my next post, please.
Why I don't agree with everything about Craig Blomberg's presentation -- or what he oft "let go" re: BYU prof's Stephen Robinson's comments in their combined book, How Wide the Divide: A Mormon & an Evangelical in Conversation, Blomberg took the time to explain 2 Peter 1:4 in context:
"But IN CONTEXT 2 Peter 1:4 is clearly talking about becoming like God MORALLY, not metaphysically."
Source: Book title mentioned above, p. 101, Inter-Varsity Press, 1997
I wanted to go on with Blomberg's quote there, but before I do, I need to ask you a direct question, Normandy (& other Lds).
IF you think that Peter is talking metaphysically here -- what is -- and ontologically ... then are you saying that Peter was a polytheist? Are you really claiming that the dozen disciples (including Judas' replacement) became 12 additional gods?
Is that what you believe? That the universe(s) is/are full of untold number of gods? (A simple "yes" or "no" will do here)
If you DO really believe Peter was a polytheist, then just say so...and yes, you Catholics reading Normandy's response can weigh in here on this Mormon claim about your "first pope"
Blomberg excerpt cont'd: "The previous verse" [2 Peter 1:3] "declares that God's divine power has given us everything we need for life AND GODLINESS. Verse 4 itself links participating in the divine nature with escaping the corruption of the evil world. And verse 5 continues with the encouragement to add to one's faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. The context never blurs the ontological distinction between Creator and creature."
Source: Book title mentioned above, p. 101, Inter-Varsity Press, 1997
Here's the NIV Version of 2 Peter 1:3-4: 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
IoW, if the Mormons were to interpret 2 Pet. 1:3-4 literally as "becoming EVENTUAL gods," then they would HAVE to concede that v. 3 claims that God has ALREADY "GIVEN us EVERYTHING we need" to be gods...RIGHT NOW!
But Mormons don't teach that, do they, Normandy, about earning the celestial kingdom?
Furthermore, they would have to honor 2 Peter 1:3 that this "everything" God has "given us for...godliness" would = 100% pure gift...but Mormons don't teach that, do they, Normandy, in regard to reaching the celestial kingdom? [They don't teach that reaching the celestial kingdom is pure gift]
Verse 5 talks about "making every EFFORT" to add a whole host of things to our faith ON THIS SIDE OF DEATH. Clearly, then, the ENTIRE CONTEXT of what Peter is talking about...
...life (v.3),
...godliness (v. 3),
...escaping this world (v. 4),
...temperance (self-control) mentioned in v. 6....
...is WHO WE ARE...and WHAT WE DO ("make every effort" -- v. 5) in THIS WORLD RIGHT NOW!
As Blomberg says, verse 3 highlights...
..."everything we need for LIFE"
...and v. 4 discusses how we need His fleshed-out promises -- including, btw, Jesus' promise of the divine Holy Spirit given to us -- in order to escape the corruption of the evil life in the world!
2 Peter 1, then, is discussing all of these aspects as it relates to THIS world! And how God offers participation with Him -- union with Him -- the same thing Jesus talked about in John 17...as we IN THIS WORLD become fit for immortal life.
And, yes, angels have immortal life, too...yet that doesn't make them automatic "gods," does it????
Summary: Peter is saying that as we become godly and share in Christlikeness we become "Christified" -- anointed. God, thru His Holy Spirit living in us, His temple, lives out godly virtues thru us as we participate with Him. This is indeed an experiential living together -- a participation -- in union with Him.
But then who gets the credit for doing that? (God the Holy Spirit does!] WE are NOT to set ourselves us to competitive rivals to God's worship, God's glory, God's adoration, etc.!!
And, as Blomberg reminds us, this in-context interpretation doesn't confuse Creator vs. creature...which Mormons do in their theology/anthropology!