Monotheism and Henotheism

[Laško]

It is very clear from through out the Old Testament that Israel is commanded to worship Yahweh and Yahweh alone, such as we see in Exodus 34:14, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." But is this worship of one god a form of monotheism or henotheism?

Monotheism - the doctrine or belief that there is only one god.

Henotheism - the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.

[cholland]

It is very clear from through out the Old Testament that Israel is commanded to worship Yahweh and Yahweh alone, such as we see in Exodus 34:14, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." But is this worship of one god a form of monotheism or henotheism?

Monotheism - the doctrine or belief that there is only one god.

Henotheism - the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.

I can't speak for Israel, but it was monotheism. Yes, other gods and idols exist, but there is only one God. That is only one is worthy of worship.

[Laško]

I can't speak for Israel, but it was monotheism. Yes, other gods and idols exist, but there is only one God. That is only one is worthy of worship.

Just wanting clarification to your statement, If you believe that "other gods" do in fact exist, but only worship one of them, then that would be henotheism, not monotheism?

[cholland]

I can't speak for Israel, but it was monotheism. Yes, other gods and idols exist, but there is only one God. That is only one is worthy of worship.

Just wanting clarification to your statement, If you believe that "other gods" do in fact exist, but only worship one of them, then that would be henotheism, not monotheism?

Other gods exist in that people worship them. I have always thought of henotheism as a form of universalism in that God has multiple personalities and/or different forms. That is "other gods" are neutral rather than a negative.

Monotheism, however, acknowledges that other people worship other gods whether that be a golden statue, a national leader, or themselves (since this is undeniable), but that only one God is worthy of worship.

[cholland]

By the definition you gave, henotheism is simply monotheism with the acknowledgment that people worship other gods. Again, this is undeniable unless you live in a cave.

[Laško]

Other gods exist in that people worship them. I have always thought of henotheism as a form of universalism in that God has multiple personalities and/or different forms. That is "other gods" are neutral rather than a negative.

Monotheism, however, acknowledges that other people worship other gods whether that be a golden statue, a national leader, or themselves (since this is undeniable), but that only one God is worthy of worship.

Your definition presented above is technically henotheism, not monotheism. Monotheism is the belief that there is only one god period. Henotheism acknowledges the existence of other gods, but only one is worth of worship.

[Laško]

By the definition you gave, henotheism is simply monotheism with the acknowledgment that people worship other gods. Again, this is undeniable unless you live in a cave.

It is not that other people simply worship other gods, but that those gods in fact exist.

So the question is, does the Bible acknowledge the real existence of other gods.

[cholland]

Other gods exist in that people worship them. I have always thought of henotheism as a form of universalism in that God has multiple personalities and/or different forms. That is "other gods" are neutral rather than a negative.

Monotheism, however, acknowledges that other people worship other gods whether that be a golden statue, a national leader, or themselves (since this is undeniable), but that only one God is worthy of worship.

You definition presented above is technically henotheism, not monotheism. Monotheism is the belief that there is only one god period. Henotheism acknowledges the existence of other gods, but only one is worth of worship.

So you're saying monotheists worship their God and don't acknowledge that other people worship other gods? Say they are Muslim, have they never encountered a Buddhist, Mormon, Christian, Jew, Scientologist, etc? Like I said, they must live in a cave. I have never come across a person like that.

It is not that other people simply worship other gods, but that those gods in fact exist.

So the question is, does the Bible acknowledge the real existence of other gods.

Nevermind the above comment. What do you mean by existence? I see people bowing down to a golden statue so yes, it is undeniable that the statue exists.

[Student]

It is very clear from through out the Old Testament that Israel is commanded to worship Yahweh and Yahweh alone, such as we see in Exodus 34:14, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." But is this worship of one god a form of monotheism or henotheism?

Monotheism - the doctrine or belief that there is only one god.

Henotheism - the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.

Henotheism: Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

[river]

Now that you mention it, you've got a point there. The ancient Hebrews clearly believed their god was the most powerful but the god we see in Genesis, the one who said let there be light, was not Yahweh but Elohim. If, as tradition has it, Moses wrote the book of Genesis why did he switch names if he only believed in one god who, purportedly, is the same today yesterday and forever?