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I guess you never heard of the Elohist and Yahwehst traditions in the Old Testament.

I also imagine you prefer to ignore the continual references in the Old Testament to the Israelites putting up sacred groves and pillars and their continual wanderings through the pathways of polytheism from the Golden Calf to the time of Ahab and Manasseh.

I suggest you go back and read the Old Testament and check out a book called “The Harlot at the Side of the Road”, written by a biblical scholar.

Then do a little growing up.

you prefer to ignore the continual references in the Old Testament to the Israelites putting up sacred groves and pillars and their continual wanderings through the pathways of polytheism

Hmmm...looks like you are ignoring this fact... Certain individuals disobeyed the truth and veered toward foreign religions as they do in any age; however the Israelite religion itself was monotheistic back to Abraham.

I imagine some ignored Zoroastrianism and continued to worship false gods. Yet Zoroastrianism itself wasn't polytheistic. Same thing.

Haha...Brother please...on your best day I have forgotten more about the Old Testament than you've even known. And I can clearly rightly divide it far better than you.

Your observations are simply incorrect.

With the exception of Abraham [who was what can only be termed a "baby" with regards to developing a relationship with the one and only God] there is not a single Old Testament spiritual authority figure who planted a so called [by you] "sacred" grove anywhere.

Quite the contrary...anyone with Spiritual authority tore them down and burnt them.

And the grove that Abraham grew...was far from sacred. It is best termed official. It was planted and grown in order to signify the natural covenant that he and Abimalech had forged between themselves.

Other than that, groves were planted by dummies and rebels who like some on this thread...tried their darndest to feign ignorance to the truth and deny reality. How far did it get them? ;o)

Your example is like saying because the right reverend Jesse Jackson goes around shaking down corporations for hand outs that his actions somehow impugns the New Testament or the doctrine of grace.

That my friend is a free-be. Thank me very much. As to the rest of your nonsensical post, at best you're intellectually dishonest.

~grin~ Like taking candy from a baby....or casting pearls before before swine.

Whatever.

:o)