Man-as-God

In this article I would like to review the concept of 
man as God. The injunctions against it, the "good" 
uses of it.  The possible "bad" ramifications of it. The 
experiences with it, basically in the Judeo-Christian 
tradition.  The perhaps paradoxical appearance of it.  
Some of the forms of it, as prophesying, miracles, etc.
such as those listed on the man-spirit page.

To go to the man-spirit interaction page  man-spirit

There at times appears to be a good and possibly bad 
side to man-spirit interaction, especially man as
god.  Some of the prophets used "supernatural" powers 
of prophecy and other miraculous abilities, which seem 
good.  But there seems to be a possible negative side 
to aman as God too.

An example of the apparent paradoxical nature of the 
matter, in this case expressed in a prophetic "sign". 
A king of ancient Israel was asked by the prophet 
Isaiah to ask for a "sign".  The king refused, saying 
that he would not tempt the Lord.  In my opinion, the 
king saw the possible conflict with the will of God.  
The prophet and/or the Lord then admonished him for not 
doing so and then gave the "sign" that a virgin would 
give birth to a son, to be called Immanuel, etc.  
    
Two examples in Genesis also raise the question as to 
the desirability of man as God or having more or less
God-like abilities in certain situations.  In one 
instance, there is a reference to man as God.  The 
serpent, in one of the first recorded direct tempta-
tions, stated that the Adam and Eve would not die 
from eating the forbidden fruit, but "... your eyes 
shall be opened: and you shall be as gods, knowing 
good and evil."  Although, there is no direct comment
as to whether this condition (knowledge of good and
evil) was good or bad, there is the quote "Behold, Adam 
is become as one of us, knowing good and evil: now, 
therefore, lest perhaps he put forth his hand, and take
also of the tree of life and eat, and live for ever.  
...And he cast out Adam...".  This may indicate God's 
less than complete happiness with the situation.

   
    Also, in the story of the tower of Babel, when  
considering the tower, God is quoted "...they have 
begun to do this, neither will they leave off their 
designs, till they accomplish them in deed.  Come ye, 
therefore, let us go down, and confound their tongue
...".  I am not sure whether this refers to specific 
tasks or to their abilities in general, but it appears
that the abilities and/or the tasks were not desired.
This may mean that man-godism in certain circumstances
is not to be desired.  Here are two instances where it
may be indicated that man-godism is to be handled with 
caution.  Not that the interaction of man and spirit is
necessarily bad, but powerful abilities in the hands of
the less than optimally competent for that ability may 
not produce a purely optimal result.

  One example is the story of Peter walking on the sea.
Peter asked Jesus to ask him to come out to him on the 
water.  This outreach seems to me to be evidence of 
great faith.  But nevertheless it resulted in Peter
starting to sink when he got distracted by the wind 
and the waves.  It seems to me that some people take 
the sinking as a sign of failure, but I think the 
evidence of great faith far outweighs the perhaps less 
than optimal judgement and mixed results.  I don't 
believe one's faith is cancelled by inaccuracy of the 
method, but man, with his limited amount of goodness, 
wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, internal strength, 
etc. may be better off to treat God-like abilities
with care.

 It may be, that while good, the limitations of man
in man-as-God may make the abilities questionable, even 
though it (seems to me) might show an outreach of faith,
even a very strong outreach.  In other words a powerful 
ability in the hands of the less than optimally compe-
tent for that ability may not be optimal in some ways.
The outreach may be evidence of great faith, and it 
still may be the best option, but I still raise the 
question because of the two above examples.  I don't 
believe the faith is cancelled by inaccuracy of the 
method, but man, with his limited amount of goodness, 
wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, internal strength, 
etc. may be better off to treat God-like abilities
with care.
  
   In an interesting example of man's limited ability is 
illustrated in the book of Judith (which might be in 
the Apocrypha in non-Catholic bibles).  The Assyrians 
were beseiging Bethulia (Bethel?) in a post-fall of 
Judah period.  The inhabitants of the city were out of 
water and the leaders of the city promised to give the 
city up in five days.  These were God-fearing men, who 
waited for God, but under heavy pressure, slightly 
limited his time frame for doing his will.  Judith said
to them, "...your words are not right, touching this 
oath which ye have made between God and you..."
  "And who are ye that have tempted God this day and 
stand instead of God among the childeren of men?"
  "For ye cannot find the depth of the heart of man,
neither can ye perceive the things that he thinketh:
then how can ye search out God, that has made all 
these things, and know his mind, or comprehend his 
purpose?"

Also, a good God-like ability can be unfortunate 
for people in certain circumstances.  For instance,
King Saul, when he visited the woman with a familiar
spirit, was weakened by the prophesy(?) of his
death.  Another possible example is Jeremiah's pro-
phesying of the coming loss, which was said by his
enemies to have weakened the Jews.  In other words, 
prophesies of good things tend to encourage, but 
negative prophecies may weaken.  Also, if they  
(negative prophecies)result in correction, they may 
help.

   The example of Jesus, traditionally viewed as 100% 
man and 100% God by the Catholic church, seems to me 
to be more a case of "Immanuel" or "God with us"
(mistranslation?) rather than man trying to be God or
godlike, which is a very important difference. 

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