Monotheism

★

Biblical monotheism is not simply doctrinal belief in one God but faith in and exclusive devotion to the specific God Yahweh. It is therefore also called exclusive Yahwism.

Monolatry commanded

Ex 20:2–3; Dt 5:6–7; 6:12–15; Jos 24:14–24; Jdg 6:8–10; 2Ki 17:35–39; Jer 25:6; 35:15

“God is one”

Dt 6:4–5; Mk 12:28–34 (cites Dt 6:4–5); Ro 3:30; Gal 3:20; Jas 2:19

There is only one God

Mt 19:17; Jn 5:44; 1Co 8:4–6 (alludes to Dt 6:4); Eph 4:4–6; 1Ti 1:17; 2:5; Jas 4:12

There is no one else like God

Main topic: Creator-creature distinction Ex 8:10; 9:14; 15:11; Dt 4:35, 39; 32:39; 1Sa 2:2; 2Sa 7:22 (cf. 1Ch 17:20); 2Sa 22:32; 1Ki 8:23, 60; 2Ki 5:15; 19:15, 19 (cf. Isa 37:15–16, 20); Ps 18:31; 83:18; 86:8–10; 135:5; Isa 40:18, 25; 43:10; 44:6–8, 24; 45:5–6, 21–22; 46:5, 9; 64:4; Jer 10:6–7, 10; Hos 13:4; Joel 2:27; Mic 7:18; Heb 6:13

Other so-called gods are no gods at all

Dt 32:17, 21; Ps 96:5; 115:4; 135:15; Isa 2:8, 20; 14:12–15; 40:18–20; 41:23–29; 44:9–20; 57:13; Jer 10:5, 8, 14; 51:17; Eze 28:1–10; Hos 13:2; Hab 2:18; Ac 7:41; 14:15; 1Co 8:4–6; 12:2; 2Th 2:4; Rev 9:20

See also

• Attributes of God
• Trinity