Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Spiritual beings procreate? | Gen 6:4 | charis | 1884 | ||
Forum Fellows, Can spiritual beings procreate with fleshly beings? I can think of only one instance in the Bible where this took place, and that was the conception of Christ Jesus in Mary by the Holy Spirit. Yet, the 'common interpretation' of this scripture is that the sons of God are angels. If we believe the angels can procreate with humans, then it follows that demons can, too. Or is this another thing that is 'for a limited time only?' Blessings in Christ Jesus. charis |
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2 | Spiritual beings procreate? | Gen 6:4 | Brent Douglass | 1890 | ||
Were the sons of God angels? This is one theory. However, to take such a vague reference as this and expand it with several layers of (potential, not definite) logic to arrive at a point of declaring that demons can procreate with humans is WAY BEYOND anything indicated in the Scriptures and is very poor hermeneutics. The idea that the "sons of God" here were angels is complete speculation -- as are other theories about the origin of the Nephilim. The most logical speculation, based on the evidence available to us, is that the "sons of God" is simply a reference to powerful lords of great strength and-or cunning who gave themselves that term in order to advance and raise themselves above the people; Nimrod could easily have become one of these later, as well, if it hadn't been for God's intervention at Babel. This would be a corrupting influence and would fit with the context. There are also MANY examples of leaders in more recent history that have declared themselves to have (or have been treated as having) divine ancestry. For example, the Japanese Emperor was considered divine until he officially declared himself otherwise in 1945 -- and only when his military was left with absolutely no other choice. The Antichrist will, likewise, claim divinity. This makes much more sense than starting a slide down a hill (with no real evidence of corresponding parrallels in other written history) leading to sensational (and completely speculative) stories of demons procreating with humans. Another purely speculative idea is that Adam and Eve had other children before the fall, who were then removed from them when their parents sinned. If there had been such children, who didn't fall into sin as their parents had, they could have been adopted by God -- thus "sons of God" -- and the males may have (unsuccessfully) tried to help limit the spread of evil by marrying with the women prior to the flood, then returned to the garden and left to be with God in heaven when the garden was destroyed. This is interesting fantasy but is also completely without any Biblical support and is thus purely speculative with no evidence of anything parrallel in other times. Once again, the most logical speculation, which fits best with other recorded historical experience, is that the "sons of God" were simply very powerful men who took (or were given) that term falsely as a claim or indication of their earthly greatness. |
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3 | Nephilim Humans? | Gen 6:4 | charis | 1912 | ||
Dear Brent Douglass (not your name :-), Actually, I don't believe that the Nephilim were angels. Before I go into that, though, why is it bad hermeneutics, to say that if one 'created spiritual being' (angel) can procreate with humans, then another 'created spiritual being' of the same type (demon, fallen angel) can, too? This is all based an a theory I don't believe anyway, but as a hypothetical, both should have the same basic capabilities. After all, we are not told that the demons were neutered before they were cast down. In fact, this is the point of my question: Many Christians ascribe to Satan and his minions power they do not have! Satan is the 'prince of lies,' and many good Christians believe those lies. In addition, we have 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'Omen'-type movies that are accepted as the way things are. (Sadly, many uninformed or misinformed Christians believe in Hollywood) Well, the Bible does not say that that is the way things are. Friend, you are absulutely correct, the most logical idea is that they were 'big guys,' but human. Often, however, logic is chucked in favor of the sensational. In the area of speculation, how about that the Nephilim were the 'sons of God' in the sense that they were of Adam and Eve, as compared to 'daughters of men' who were not of Adam and Eve? The idea has some merit, but would be heretical to 'absolutists' that say that all mankind had to come from Adam and Eve. 'Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."' Genesis 1:26 NASB tells of the creation of man, human beings, but not God's chosen race. Then "Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 NASB could speak of a spiritually 'living being' that was 'special,' God's chosen race. This would explain many of the 'complications' involved inexplaining the various races and who Adam's children married, etc. This speculation is at least as good as some of the other theories portrayed as 'absolute truth.' In any case, my friend, it is speculation, just as you said. Thanks for a good, insightful answer. Blessings to you in Christ Jesus. charis |
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4 | Nephilim Humans? | Gen 6:4 | Ray | 1916 | ||
Hi charis, I can't convince you to capitalize "breath of Life" or "breath of life from God" can I? | ||||||
5 | Nephilim Humans? | Gen 6:4 | charis | 1921 | ||
Dear RayV.H., No, not on speculation. However, it IS a thought. Actually, I 'go out on a limb' even to mention this theory, as some are 'violently' against any theories that go against their 'pet' theory :-) Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said something to the effect that a preacher of the Gospel must have an imagination in order to portray the truth to the hearer, but not so much that he lets it run away with itself. Wise man! Bless you, friend, in Jesus' name, charis |
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6 | Nephilim Humans? | Gen 6:4 | Aslans_Friend | 186744 | ||
I have studied this through several commentaries. There is varied opinion, to say the least. The most sensible, in my opinion, is that the Sons of God, refering to the godly descendants of Seth, used no spiritual discrimination in chosing wives for themselves, and married descendants of Cain for beauty alone. This led to ungodliness and perverted the gifts of God towards humanitarian achivements. (commentary : Clark?) | ||||||
7 | Nephilim Humans? | Gen 6:4 | stjohn | 186756 | ||
Amen, A_Friend, And more then sensible, Jesus teaches us in matthew that without doubt, angels do not marie. Therefore, to take the view that giants are the offspring of angles and humans is anti scriptural,. Absolute nonsense! Matt 22:30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. God bless. John |
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