Christianity, is it really monotheistic? The concept of monotheism is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the ‘belief in the existence of only one god’. According to Christianity, God is Triune, meaning three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – are united in one Godhead. But is this belief that God is Triune compatible with classical monotheism?
The concept of the Trinity dates back to the Early Church and further, to the teachings of the New Testament. The core Trinitarian doctrines of, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit can be found in Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14. So, despite the seeming contradiction in terms, Christianity could still be seen as a version of monotheism.
Theologians have discussed and debated the issue of monotheism and Christianity over hundreds of years, with some saying it is and some saying it isn’t. Theologian Karl Rahner argued that Christianity is indeed monotheistic but this version of monotheism is different to ‘classical’ monotheism because it embraces the idea that there is one God with three persons. Rahner argued that Christian monotheism is ‘objective’, as it focusses on the one God in three persons, rather than ‘subjective’, as it focusses solely on the experience of the believer in the one God.
American Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga counters this however, arguing that classical monotheism is about having only one greater etc being, and this does not include a triune God. He argues that Christianity is in fact ‘polytheism in monotheistic clothing’, with three different persons of the Godhead having distinct roles.
Whilst Plantinga argues that Christian monotheism is not monotheism at all, theologian Terence E. Fretheim disagrees. He believes Rahner’s acceptance of the Trinity as still being a version of monotheism is correct and that this version of monotheism should be in line with the biblical narrative. In other words, the triune nature of the Godhead reflects the loving and co-operative relationship that God knows and desires to have with all of creation.
Christian scholar Diedrich Bonhoeffer labelled classical monotheism as an ‘empty monotheism’, arguing that it overlooks the sacrifice and love that God has for his people. Bonhoeffer described God as a ‘personal God’ in the form of the Trinity, a God that is active in personal relationships with believers, one that is willing to give and forgive, rather than a distant, unchanging God.
Overall, it is clear that there is a variety of interpretations and responses to the question ‘Is Christianity Really Monotheistic?’. Classical monotheism is focused on the belief in one god, with Christianity emphasizing the belief in one God in three persons. While some argue that Christianity is not really monotheistic at all, other theologians and scholars claim that Christianity is different but still relevant to the concept of monotheism.
The Definition of Classical Monotheism
Christianity is often referred to as a monotheistic religion. But what exactly is monotheism? The Oxford English Dictionary defines monotheism as ‘the belief in the existence of only one god’. Monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all believe in a single, all-powerful God.
However, it is important to differentiate between monotheism and classical monotheism. Classical monotheism refers to historical forms of monotheism which have existed since ancient times. It is argued that classical monotheism is an exclusive belief in a single god, with no belief in any type of Trinity or any other persons of the Godhead.
The belief in one god is central to classical monotheism, especiall for the monotheistic Abrahamic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is this aspect of classical monotheism that makes it different than polytheism or beliefs in multiple gods.
While classical monotheism is based on the belief in one god, it is also important to note that this one god can also have multiple facets. For example, God may be seen as a loving, compassionate father figure as well as a just and righteous lawgiver. This demonstrates that classical monotheism has a more complex concept of God than simply one about a single being.
In addition to being based on the belief in one god, classical monotheism also has another important component: the belief in divine revelation. This comes from the idea that God has revealed himself to mankind through certain scriptures, such as the Bible, the Quran, or the Torah. This divine revelation is what sets classical monotheism apart from other forms of theism, such as pantheism or deism.
Classical Monotheism and Christianity
As previously mentioned, Christianity is often referred to as a monotheistic religion. However, it is important to note that Christianity is distinct from classical monotheism in a few important ways.
The primary distinction between classical monotheism and Christianity is the concept of the Trinity. Christianity does not believe in a single god, but rather in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit as aspects of the one God. This is a complex concept that has perplexed many theologians since its introduction.
Another important distinction between classical monotheism and Christianity is the concept of divine revelation. For classical monotheism, divine revelation refers to the concept that God has revealed himself to mankind through certain scriptures. For Christianity, divine revelation is more broadly understood and includes not only scriptures, but also the teachings of Jesus and the works of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, Christianity places a greater emphasis on the love and mercy of God than classical monotheism. God is not seen as a distant, unchanging being, but rather as a God that loves us, that is active in our lives, and that desires to have relationships with us. This creates a different understanding of God than classical monotheism.
Conclusion
Although Christianity is often referred to as a monotheistic religion, its beliefs and teachings are distinct from classical monotheism in several ways. The primary distinction is the concept of the Trinity, which asserts that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons united in one Godhead. In addition, Christianity includes a broader understanding of divine revelation, and places a greater emphasis on the love and mercy of God.
Theology of Monotheism
When talking about monotheism, it is important to understand the theological background of the concept. The core belief of monotheism is that there is only one God. However, there is much more to it than that.
One core aspect of monotheism is the concept of divine omnipotence. This means that God is wholly and completely in control of all things. Everything that happens in the universe is within God’s will and power. This belief has implications for both the way we view God and the way we view ourselves.
When viewing God from the perspective of monotheism, it is important to remember that God is perfect, all-knowing, and all-powerful. As such, God is the ultimate source of love, mercy, and justice in the universe. Monotheism also maintains that God is the creator of all things and that He is the only being that is truly worthy of worship.
Another important aspect of monotheism is the concept of divine providence. This means that everything that happens in the world is part of God’s plan and is intended to bring about some greater good. This view of God implies that He is working in and through the world to help bring about what He desires.
Finally, the concept of monotheism implies that there are both moral and spiritual obligations that we, as humans, must adhere to. Monotheism declares that we should live our lives according to God’s will, seek His guidance in all that we do, and strive for holiness and righteousness.
Monotheism vs Polytheism
Monotheism and polytheism are two very different belief systems about the nature of God and the relationship between humans and the divine. Monotheism is based on the belief that there is only one god, while polytheism is based on the belief that there are multiple gods.
The fundamental difference between monotheism and polytheism is the scope of power and authority attributed to each god. In polytheism, each god holds a certain level of power or authority, while in monotheism, all power and authority is attributed to only one god.
Polytheism also implies that there could be various gods for various tasks or domains, such as a god of war, a god of love, or a god of the sea. Monotheism, on the other hand, implies that all power and authority rests in one god and all tasks or domains are His responsibility.
Finally, an important distinction between monotheism and polytheism is the idea of worship. Polytheism implies that one should worship or revere multiple gods, while monotheism implies that one should only worship or revere one god.
Impact of Monotheism
Monotheism has had a significant impact on the world, both in terms of its influence on religious and philosophical thought, as well as its impact on politics, culture, and art.
The belief in one god has had a profound effect on philosophical thought over centuries, from Plato and Aristotle to Aquinas and Kant. Monotheism has also had a major impact on religious and cultural practices, including the development of doctrines, the legal systems of many countries, and the art and literature of many cultures.
Monotheism has also impacted politics and international relations. Monotheistic religions have often been at the center of social and political conflict, and many countries have based their legal and political systems on monotheistic principles.
Finally, the concept of monotheism has also had an impact on the way we view ourselves and the world around us. Monotheism implies that there is one ultimate truth, one ultimate authority, and one ultimate source of power. This belief has shaped the way that many people view and interact with the world.
