Many people are not sure whether Christians are monotheists or polytheists.
They have doubts about the number of gods worshiped in Christianity.
But according to the Old Testament, Christianity is a monotheist.
This is because Christians believe only in one Almighty God.
However, the New Testament brings in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Thus, there is a misperception.
In that view, polytheistic and many people think Christians worship three gods.
So is Christianity monotheistic or polytheistic?
Are Christians monotheistic or polytheistic?
According to the Bible, 1 Corinthians 8:4–“…… we know an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God.
This means there is only one God worshiped by Christians based on the bible.
In addition, the major religions in the world, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are monotheistic.
They believe and worship one God and deny the existence of many gods or any other god.
In the bible, Deuteronomy 6: - Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
According to the bible, Christianity is monotheistic even though Christians believe God exists in three persons.
But that does not mean Christians believe there are three gods.
They believe God is one but in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
In the book of Mathew 28:19–Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the name of the Son, and the name of the Holy Spirit.
This means Christians believe God is one in three persons.
According to the bible, there is only one God who is the creator, a spirit, and supreme.
The bible also says God differs from humans.
He is near to everyone, Christians can speak with Him, and came to earth in human form, Jesus.
John 14:10–Do you believe I am in the Father and the Father is in me.
The words I have spoken to you do not come from me; the father who remains in me does His own work.
Also, according to the bible, humans can speak to God in prayers, God is a spirit that should be worshiped, and He lives in union with His people.
Apart from Christians, Muslims also believe in the existence of one God.
They refer to God as Allah, who is also the Creator, Eternal, and the Most Merciful God.
What is monotheism?
According to Wikipedia, Monotheism is the belief in one God.
Thus, worship and belief in one God are the foundation of monotheism.
We consider most dominant religions around the world monotheism because they believe in one Supreme God.
These are believers who have faith in only one God.
They believe God created heaven, earth, and everything in it.
Christians, who are the main monotheists, also believe the nonexistence of other gods.
Apart from Christianity, Judaism and Islam are other known monotheistic religions.
However, monotheism differs from henotheism.
Henotheism is the worship of one god, but not denying the existence of many gods.
With Christians, Muslims, and Judaists, there is no other God apart from the Almighty God.
To many people, the concept of monotheism is easier to understand.
There are Holy Books that guide monotheism, making it more superior to the concept of polytheism.
What is polytheistic?
Polytheistic is the belief or worship of many gods.
It contrasts monotheism with that belief in a singular God.
According to Wikipedia, polytheistic was religion before the spread of Christianity, Islam, and other religions that enforce monotheism.
In religions that accept polytheism, some different gods and goddesses represent different forces of nature.
However, every god has specific functions or purpose and is grouped into a categorized structure.
One god is above the other gods, but does not have the power to overrule.
Thus, polytheists do not worship all these gods equally.
There are gods worshiped during specific times and circumstances.
Some polytheists are henotheists, who worship one particular god but believe in the existence of other gods.
Others believe in multiple gods and worship different gods at different times.
Known religions that are polytheist include Hinduism, Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism, Shintoism, and several tribal religions in America, Asia, and Africa.
In some polytheistic religions, there is a god responsible for the creation of the world, love, intelligence, politics, and success.
Also, the polytheistic culture includes belief in many demonic and ghostly forces, just like the monotheistic religions.
What are the key differences between monotheism and polytheism?
For religion, polytheism and monotheism are two confusing words.
But there is a key difference between the two.
The number of gods that worshippers believe in.
Monotheism vs. Polytheism
*Monotheism recognizes that there is only one God who is the creator of heaven and earth.
*Polytheism recognizes that many gods exist where some are superior to others.
*In monotheism, they worship only one God.
*In polytheism, they worship many deities.
*Monotheism began with people who were sent by God to guide others.
Some of them include Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jesus.
*Polytheism is a religion that grew out of culture and view of particular people. There is no single mediator in polytheism.
*Monotheism is a religion guided by Holy Books such as the Bible and the Koran.
*In Polytheism there is no theology; believers are guided by custom and culture. This means no holy books that guide the religion.
*In monotheism, a soul is valuable than the body.
*In polytheism, the body and the soul are always together.
Conclusion
Whether Christianity is monotheist or polytheist, it is a complicated issue. Christianity is monotheistic.
There is only one God worshiped, and the religion believes in one God.
Even though there is God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, God is One.
In addition, there is the absence of another divine figure in Christianity.
Apart from Christianity, Judaism and Islam are the other major religions that are monotheistic.
They worship and believe in one God.