Don Stewart :: What Is a Monotheistic Religion?

What Is a Monotheistic Religion? (The Belief in One God)

When the God of the Bible Is Rejected – Question 5

When a person believes in some God they are called a “theist.” Monotheism is the belief that only one God exists. The term is derived from the word mono meaning “one” and theism meaning “God.” Three of the major world religions are monotheistic, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each of these faith worships only one God. A number of points need to be made about monotheistic beliefs:

1. Monotheism Teaches That Only One God Exists

The Bible is monotheistic. From beginning to end, it testifies that there is only one God who exists. The Lord has made it clear that He is the only God. The Bible says,

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “And you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and never will be.” (Isaiah 43:10 NLT)

No other God exists.

In addition, Scripture is clear that other gods should not be worshipped. In the Ten Commandments, we read the Lord saying,

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me...” (Exodus 20:2-5 NIV)

According to the Bible, only one God exists, and He is the only God that is to be worshipped. No other gods have any real substance, and consequently should not be given any type of worship.

2. It Is Not Enough to Believe in Only One God

However, the fact that a religion is monotheistic is not nearly enough. Belief must not only be in one God, belief must be in the right God! James wrote,

You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. (James 2:19 NET)

There are religions that believe in the existence of one God but that God is different than the God of the Bible. Belief must be in the God of the Bible who has revealed Himself to humanity in these last days through the Person of Jesus Christ.

3. Judaism and Islam, While Believing in One God, Fall Short

Although Judaism and Islam worship only one God, neither of these faiths can lay claim to being true. Islam worships a different God while Judaism continues to reject the coming of their promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.

However, the Bible says that it is essential to believe in Jesus. John wrote,

No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:23 NRSV)

Without belief in God the Son, there is no genuine belief in God the Father. Consequently, belief in one God is not enough. Indeed, true belief consists of believing in the one God that Christianity reveals.

Summary – Question 5
What Is Monotheistic Religion? (The Belief in One God)

The Bible presents the idea of monotheism. This is the belief in the existence one God. While there are a number of religions which believe in only one God not every religion that holds this belief is true. Indeed, belief in God is not enough. It is important to believe in the right God.

Islam, for example, insists upon the existence of one God. However the one God of Islam is not the same God as the Bible. Islam presents a different god and thus has a false god.

Judaism is in a different category. Although Judaism believes in the right God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the system in which they worship has now been done away with. When the Promised One, the Messiah, came into the world, the old system was replaced. The only access to God now is through the Messiah, Jesus. There is no other way.

Hence only Christianity proclaims the genuine truth of one God who exists.