Why does God need prophets?

[Super Universe]

I mean...if God wants to tell us something, cannot he just appear in the sky or something and then speak to us in a loud voice? I am sure all atheists will just become theists then and there. :yes:

Instead, God chooses the most improbable and unverifiable way of communication.

He first communicates what he wants to say to arch-angel Jebril. This Jebril is not human. Then, Jebril then has find Mohammed and give God's divine message.

Jebriel's first encounter with Mohammed is also noteworthy.



Is any of this remotely believeable/verifiable?

God could instantly wake everyone up but He doesn't because that would ruin your free life experience.

What if you were God, what would you do? You could do anything but then what would be the point in that, what interest would there be in it for you if you already know everything there is to know about it before you've even created it?

What you might do is create a universe and then enter that universe but forgetting who you really are. Then you could experience the wonder of learning everything all over again.

 

[beerisit]

God could instantly wake everyone up but He doesn't because that would ruin your free life experience.

What if you were God, what would you do? You could do anything but then what would be the point in that, what interest would there be in it for you if you already know everything there is to know about it before you've even created it?

What you might do is create a universe and then enter that universe but forgetting who you really are. Then you could experience the wonder of learning everything all over again.

Well that would be like ALL Knowing, oh wait.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

Ummm...why? Is your God not omnipotent that he can appear as a physical being?

Christians and Hindus seem to think so. Are they wrong? Prove it.

If Allah cannot communicate with us humans directly, how does he communicate with Jebril?

Similar to trees and human beings. Just because we are more knowing and able than trees, and can dominate trees, make them grow or cut them, doesn't mean we can turn to a tree.
Just an analogy....
Just because God is the All-knowing and powerful, He cannot reduce himself to a human being. in that case becomes not All-Knowing. So, it doesn't work that way.

I don't believe Christianity as taught by Jesus, teaches God communicates directly. It also teaches Holy Spirit.

Gabriel also, is a symbolic expression of the intrinsic knowledge of the Prophet. The intrinsic knowledge comes from the nature of prophets, which is different from normal human being, as they are endued with Holy Spirit. Something that cannot be understood by human completely.
Same goes with Hindus.....I believe the original teachings from Hindu Prophet founders is consistent with Baha'i Faith....However original writings of the Hindu Prophets are not available as that religion is very old. Hence, we go with the latest revelation from God, which I believe is Baha'i Faith. The proof are the Baha'i Scriptures in our view.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

I just don't get the whole man of god/prophet/ guru thing. I am suspect of anything or anyone with claims of authoritativeness in spiritual matters.

I admire spiritual teachers like Meister Eckhart and PKD but I don't see them as authoritative. My experience is my own and i believe it would be ridiculous of me to try to fit someone else beliefs in my head without fully allowing my own to assert themselves.

I am not Jane Doe, so why should i believe what Jane believes, even if she claims to be a prophet from God?

 

[A Troubled Man]

I think the issue is whether or not someone is a self-proclaimed prophet or they never did call themselves a prophet, had no intention of being a prophet, but others did see them as prophets.

For the self-proclaimed prophets, these are the worst possible charlatans and hucksters the world has ever seen. Joseph Smith and Muhammad would easily fall into this category while Jesus might not. However, there is no evidence Jesus existed, so the charade would have been instigated by those who wrote about him and the words he allegedly said.

 

[sojourner]

I think the issue is whether or not someone is a self-proclaimed prophet or they never did call themselves a prophet, had no intention of being a prophet, but others did see them as prophets.

For the self-proclaimed prophets, these are the worst possible charlatans and hucksters the world has ever seen. Joseph Smith and Muhammad would easily fall into this category while Jesus might not. However, there is no evidence Jesus existed, so the charade would have been instigated by those who wrote about him and the words he allegedly said.

You bring up a good point. Prophets don't just show up one day and say, "God told me to tell you something." Prophets are called by God to deliver a specific message, or set of messages. They are raised up from among the people, are known by the people, and accepted by them. a prophet is an authoritative office.

 

[A Troubled Man]

You bring up a good point. Prophets don't just show up one day and say, "God told me to tell you something."

But, isn't that exactly what Joseph Smith and Muhammad did?

Prophets are called by God to deliver a specific message, or set of messages. They are raised up from among the people, are known by the people, and accepted by them. a prophet is an authoritative office.

No one knows that for sure, obviously.

The prophet himself has the opportunity to see and hear god, or so they claim. If that were the case, why wouldn't a god just show up and deliver messages himself to everyone? Then, everyone would definitely know of one god as opposed to there being many gods, with many varying messages, from various so-called prophets.

There isn't an atheist on the planet who wouldn't immediately take up a religion that was revealed to everyone by a god.

 

[Iti oj]

But, isn't that exactly what Joseph Smith and Muhammad did?



No one knows that for sure, obviously.

The prophet himself has the opportunity to see and hear god, or so they claim. If that were the case, why wouldn't a god just show up and deliver messages himself to everyone? Then, everyone would definitely know of one god as opposed to there being many gods, with many varying messages, from various so-called prophets.

There isn't an atheist on the planet who wouldn't immediately take up a religion that was revealed to everyone by a god.

That depends on the god and his religion. If god sends people to hell for stupid **** then forget that god

 

[sojourner]

But, isn't that exactly what Joseph Smith and Muhammad did?

Biblically speaking, that's what a prophet is. I'm neither Mormon nor Muslim -- nor a Mormon Muslim -- so I don't believe either one of them were prophets. If I did, I'd probably be one -- or both.