calvary chapel costa mesa

This is some correspondence between myself and the assistant Pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.I don't think he saw it coming. Judge for yourself..

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeremy Lawson" <lawmankjv@yahoo.com>To: <info@twft.com>Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 7:56 AMSubject: godsPastor Chuck,During the evening radio show, a caller asked who the gods of Psalm 82:6 referred. Your answer has left me confused. You referenced exodus saying the gods were actually judges (men) over the people. I can't find any passage in the book that reveals this idea. It appears the context of the use of the word gods throughout exodus is physical literal gods. If you would please explain your position further and please explain why you depart from the English.thank you for your time in this matter. Jeremy


Carl Westerlund wrote:Jeremy, This verse is usually questioned, because of Jesus quote in John 10:34.John 10:30 I and my Father are one. John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; John 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? In Psalm 82 we find God’s judgment against the evil Israelite judges. The judges were called “gods” because they pronounced life and death judgments against people. But they became corrupt and unjust in their dealings. In verse 6, Asaph, speaking of these unjust human judges, said: “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’ But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” Asaph is clearly speaking in irony. He is saying in effect: “I have called you ‘gods,’ but in fact you will die like the men you really are.” When Jesus alluded to this psalmj in John 10, He was saying that what the Israelite judges were called in irony and in judgment, He is in reality. Psa. 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Psa. 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Psa. 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. Psa. 82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. Psa. 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. Psa. 82:7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.Carl Westerlund assistant pastor, CCCM


Mr. Westerlund,
Your answer seems on the surface to make sense, but I can't find anywhere in the Bible where the word "gods" refers to men. Every time it is used the context is literal gods or idols. As a matter of fact "gods" and "judges" are two different beings! (Judges 2:17)
In reference to John 10:34, Jesus is not calling the Jews that were present at the time "gods". He was making a point that the "gods" of Psalm 82 were not accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the sons of God. And now, the "God of gods" was in their midst and they wanted to stone him for claiming to be The Son of God. The context of Psalm 82 historically appears to be the events leading up to the flood in the days of Noah(Gen 6:4).Also, notice verse 5 where the "foundations of the earth are out of course". While the doctrinal footing appears to be the 2nd Coming of Christ( notice verse 2 "Selah",and verse 8 "inherit all nations"reference to the millennium).
As for the "gods" dying like men, this reveals that the "gods" are not men,but something else!(Jude 6,7). He would not tell men that you will die like men.All men die like men!
In conclusion, these "gods" are obviously fallen angels. Also called "sons of God" in Job 1:6 and Gen 6:4, who left there "first estate" (Jude 6,7) and became flesh or "strange flesh".

Hope to hear from you soon,
Jeremy Psalm 12:6,7