(i) Ordinary gods who may be many in number and limited in scope. Odin and others are characters in fantasy novels by Anderson.
(ii) The highest and most powerful god, in transition to being regarded as the only god.
(iii) Ultimate reality personified as "God."
(iv) Ultimate reality intuited mystically, no longer personified but sometimes still called "God."
The Mosaic and Muslim divine name progressed through stages (i), (ii) and (iii) and can be used in sense (iv) by heretical mystics.
Clearly, (i) and (iv) are completely different in meaning but are at opposite ends of a spectrum. I buy into the meaning of (iv) but do not insist that the word, "God," continue to be used. Indeed, it simply causes endless disagreements and misunderstandings.
The Gwydiona in Anderson's The Night Face apply the word, "God," not to intuited reality but to periodic insanity. Maybe this is sense (v).
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Considering how, despite calling himself an agnostic, many of Anderson's stories takes religion seriously, theology is a natural topic of discussion here. A SHORT list follows.
"Pact"
THE BROKEN SWORD
THE ENEMY STARS
THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS
THE HIGH CRUSADE
"The Problem of Pain"
"The Three-Cornered Wheel
"The Season of Forgiveness"
OPERATION CHAOS and OPERATION LUNA
"A Chapter of Revelation"
Enough, too many to list.
Your point (iv) puzzles me. MANY Catholics mystics have experienced "Ultimate reality intuited mystically" while firmly believing that reality is a Being.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I am referring, e.g., to Advaita Vedantists within Hinduism.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Got it.
Sean
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