Is The Bible Strinctly Monotheistic?
Is The Bible Strictly Monotheistic?
In the Bible, it profusely claims that there is but one God and that one should worship but one God; even so, many have came to the conclusion that the Bible has strong polytheistic tendencies, here we will break this down.
Introduction
Permission to Worship Only One God:
"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me," (Exodus 20:2-3 KJV).
"I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me," (Deuteronomy 5:6-7 KJV).
"And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt," (Jeremiah 25:6 KJV).
"As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one," (1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV).
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him," (1 Corinthians 8:6 KJV).
Specific Claims of Monotheism in The Bible:
"Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him," (Deuteronomy 4:35 KJV).
"See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand," (Deuteronomy 32:39 KJV).
"Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears," (2 Samuel 7:22 KJV).
"O Lord, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears," (1 Chronicles 17:20 KJV).
"For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone," (Psalm 86:10 KJV).
"Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God," (Isaiah 44:6 KJV).
"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else," (Isaiah 45:18 KJV).
"As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one," (1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV).
"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all," (Ephesians 4:6 KJV).
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).
Debunking Claims Against Biblical Monotheism:
Exodus 20:3: Some have brought up this verse, claiming, “Why would God tell the Jews to not worship other gods.” The most common debunking of this, the one I will be using is that there are indeed other Elohim(gods), but these are lesser beings such as angels or demons; demons who may portray themselves as a god in order to deceive people and a note to not worship angels. That God is above all these spiritual beings. We must remember the Hebrew word “Elohim” does not specifically refer to a God, but merely a spiritual being. This is why verses such as Deuteronomy 10:17 & Daniel 2:47 which say “The God of gods” are not an issue. In verses where God says there are no Elohim besides me(such as Deuteronomy 32:3), he is showing his uniqueness among the Elohim. That he is the one, superior Elohim. We really cannot take this verse as other actual gods based on the numerous verses we showed in "Specific Claims on Monotheism."
Deuteronomy 32:8-9: “When the Most High(El Elyon) divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance,” (Deuteronomy 32:8-9 KJV).
Some skeptics of Biblical monotheism have used these verses to claim El and Yahweh are different gods, El Elyon being some sort of stronger, higher god. However, it is clear when reading other passages that these names pertain to the same being.
“And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty(שַׁדַּי אֵל, El[God] Shaddai[Almighty),but by my name Jehovah(יְהוָ֔ה, Yahweh) was I not known to them,” (Exodus 6:3 KJV). Note: El Shaddai(God Almighty) and El Elyon(The God most high) refer to the same being. El being the noun, Shaddai and Elyon being adjectives.
“And the Lord(יְהוָ֥ה, Yahweh) passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord(יְהוָ֣ה), The Lord(יְהוָ֔ה, Yahweh) God(אֵ֥ל, El), merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” (Exodus 34:6 KJV).
“For who is God(אֵ֖ל, El), except the Lord(יְהוָ֑ה, Yahweh)? and who is a rock, except our God(אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃, Eloheinu[אֱלֹ means God, El. הֵֽינוּ means that is, oheinu])?” (2 Samuel 22:32 KJV).
As we noticed by the following verses, there is indeed no way that El and Yahweh are not the same being. Then, what does the verse mean? Well, it seems to actually me that God gave certain permissions to other Elohims(likely principalities), perhaps of territory. What Yahweh desired most was his people, so he gave himself this.
The Jews Were Polytheistic:
Some have, instead of going directly to the Bible, lead to the history we know about the Jews, concluding that as they were known to be polytheistic this is an issue for the Bible. However, people of this claim are directly rejecting the text in reference, the Bible. The Bible itself tells us of these occasions for example in Joshua 24, Exodus 32(golden calf), et cetera.
These polytheistic times of the Jews were heavily noted and condemned each time; perhaps if these occasions were encouraged there would be an issue, but as it is not we really have nothing to fear.