Monotheism

Definition

Monotheism is the belief in and worship of a single, all-powerful deity as the ultimate source of reality, meaning, and moral authority. This concept is central to the major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Monotheism emphasizes the unity and singularity of the divine, in contrast to polytheistic belief systems that recognize multiple gods.
2. The concept of monotheism is central to the Abrahamic religions, which share a common belief in a single, all-powerful, and all-knowing deity.
3. Monotheistic faiths often stress the transcendence of God, the creator who is distinct from and sovereign over the created world.
4. Monotheism is associated with a strong emphasis on ethical monotheism, which holds that the one true God is the source of moral law and righteous behavior.
5. The development of monotheism is seen as a significant historical and philosophical shift away from earlier polytheistic belief systems.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of monotheism is reflected in the major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
  • Monotheism is a core tenet of the Abrahamic religions, which share the belief in a single, all-powerful deity as the ultimate source of reality and moral authority. In Judaism, the belief in the one true God, known as Yahweh or Adonai, is foundational. Christianity upholds the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which affirms the unity of God while also recognizing the distinct persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Similarly, Islam is centered on the belief in Allah as the one and only God, who is supreme, all-knowing, and all-powerful. Across these faiths, monotheism shapes theological teachings, ethical frameworks, and religious practices.
• Describe how the monotheistic worldview differs from polytheistic belief systems and how this shapes the understanding of the divine and the human-divine relationship.
  • Monotheism stands in contrast to polytheistic belief systems that recognize the existence of multiple deities or gods. In a monotheistic framework, the divine is understood as a single, indivisible, and all-powerful being who is the ultimate source of reality and moral authority. This conception of the divine as a transcendent, sovereign, and unitary entity shapes the human-divine relationship in significant ways. Monotheistic faiths often emphasize the importance of individual devotion, obedience, and submission to the one true God, in contrast to the more complex and negotiated relationships between humans and the pantheon of gods found in polytheistic traditions. The belief in a single, all-knowing and all-powerful deity also has implications for understandings of divine providence, judgment, and the ultimate purpose of human existence.
• Analyze the historical and philosophical significance of the development of monotheism, particularly in the context of the Abrahamic religions, and how it represents a shift from earlier polytheistic belief systems.
  • The emergence and spread of monotheistic belief systems, particularly within the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, represents a profound philosophical and historical shift from earlier polytheistic worldviews. Monotheism's emphasis on the unity and singularity of the divine, in contrast to the multiplicity of gods found in polytheistic traditions, has had far-reaching implications. Theologically, monotheism posits a transcendent, all-powerful deity as the ultimate source of reality, meaning, and moral authority, shaping understandings of divine providence, human purpose, and the human-divine relationship. Philosophically, the monotheistic worldview has been associated with the development of more systematic and rationalized theological frameworks, as well as the advancement of ethical monotheism and the notion of a universal moral law. Historically, the spread of monotheistic faiths, often through conquest and conversion, has profoundly influenced the cultural, political, and social landscapes of various civilizations, representing a significant transformation in human religious and philosophical thought.

Related terms

Polytheism: The belief in and worship of multiple deities or gods, often with distinct powers and domains.

Abrahamic Religions: The three major monotheistic faiths that trace their origins to the prophet Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Divine Oneness: The belief that there is only one true, indivisible God who is the source of all creation and the ultimate reality.