Part 1: I AM A MONOTHEIST

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Part 1: I AM A MONOTHEIST

What is a monotheist? The word is derived from two Greek words: monos, meaning alone or single; and theos, meaning God. As such, I believe there is but one God. I am not a ditheist (a belief in two gods), a tritheist (a belief in three gods), nor do I subscribe to any sort of polytheistic view (a belief in two or more gods). The one God I believe in is the God revealed in the Christian Bible, who I confess publicly is our creator and our redeemer.

Christianity is one of three religions that are monotheistic, along with Judaism and Islam. Within Christianity, however, there is a subset of believers who assert God exists as “three distinct persons.” Theologians who subscribe to a three-person God are careful not to use the word “separate” when describing these persons that comprise God as to hold on to their overall monotheistic viewpoint. The common individual, however, who confesses in a three-person God does not hesitate to use the word “separate” not knowing the classic doctrine handed down from the fourth-century church was careful to avoid the use of the word “separate” as that concept is scripturally incompatible. The belief in a three-person God is called trinitarianism.

In studying trinitarianism (and having been raised as a trinitarian), I’ve found that people who subscribe to a concept of three persons comprising one God emphasize the “three-ness” of their understanding of God by actually confessing in three separate and unique centers of consciousness. I submit to you that this is essentially tritheism. However, if you were to ask them point blank, my experience has been they will double down on there only being one God. But in their minds, they wholly think of the three persons of God as being completely separate from one another.

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Why is this important? I believe a trinitarian viewpoint weakens the strict monotheistic theme taught by the scriptures and ultimately leads believers away from God’s plan of salvation, all of which I will attempt to highlight in this series of articles. In short, it determines how we should be baptized!

I maintain the Godhead cannot be divided into persons and that God is absolutely one in every way. Further, I will attempt to illustrate the Bible does not refer to God as being three, a trinity, or exist as being comprised of multiple persons with multiple minds, multiple bodies, or multiple centers of consciousness. Not only does the Bible fail to put God in those terms, but it also fails to support the concepts behind those terms.

Before we go further, we obviously need to turn to the scriptures to see what it reveals about God. The Old Testament emphasizes the singleness, aloneness, numerical oneness of our creator in the strongest possible terms – and in such a way that should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind whether God is one or exists in a multiplicity.

Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV) says: “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD.” This statement is the most important verse of the Jewish faith. Verse 5 goes on to state this belief should be thought about and talked about at every opportunity – placed in the heart, taught to children, bound on the hand and forehead, written on the posts and gates of one’s house. I encourage you to ask a devout Jew about this statement of faith and what it means to them. It’s everything! They attempt to utter this scripture just before death, so their last breath is used to confess the foundation of their faith. Look up what a Tefillin is to further your study.

The scriptures continue this foundational theme in such a way it removes any thought in one’s mind about how many gods there are:

Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Chronicles 17:20; Psalm 86:10; Malachi 2:10; Zechariah 14:9.

The book Isaiah emphatically declares the oneness of God:

Isaiah 37:16; Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 45:6; Isaiah 45:21-22; Isaiah 46:9; Isaiah 48:11; Isaiah 42:8.

In summary, the Old Testament is crystal clear – God is one. In fact, there are approximately 50 references to God being the “Holy One” in the scriptures. Never Holy Two, Holy Three, Holy Trinity, etc. Many trinitarian apologists assert God was just trying to separate Himself from the rampant pagan polytheism that existed at the time, but that it was understood by His people that God was actually three. Ask a devout Jew about that – I’m willing to bet he or she will disagree.

If God existed as three distinct and unique centers of consciousness but by using the term “one” to describe Himself, He meant three separate persons all work together in unity, why wouldn’t He make that clear? Instead, God emphatically used terms and concepts and statements about Himself that exclude any idea that He existed in any way other than absolute oneness. And by oneness, I mean numerical oneness. One mind. One will. And one way to salvation!

Now, when we come to the New Testament, we see this strict monotheistic theme continue. In fact, Jesus Himself was asked what was the greatest of all the commandments in Mark 12:28-29. How did He answer? He quoted Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD.”

How could our Savior, our one God manifest in the flesh, be any clearer? Please also reference the writings of the Apostles:

Romans 3:30; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Galatians 3:20; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; James 2:19; 1 John 2:20; Revelation 4:2.

Now that we’ve explored the common theme of the Bible as it relates to monotheism, my next installment will contain a discussion on the nature of the one God as revealed in the scriptures – namely His characteristics and attributes – as we look to gain the fullest understanding we can about our creator and redeemer. When we ground ourselves in the Old Testament explanations and revelations of God, then when we come to the New Testament and see terms such as “Father” “Son” and “Holy Ghost,” we’ll be able to receive it.

Thank you for reading. May God bless you richly as you seek to know Him and serve Him with all your heart.

-Paul

Concepts and ideas have been adapted from the Oneness of God and other books and lectures by author David Bernard. I highly recommend picking up a hard copy.


The One For All series of short articles discusses my view on the oneness of the creator of the heavens and our enclosed plane earth. I do not claim to have the fullest revelation of God. This is my opinion only. For a longer explanation of what I feel strongly the Bible is teaching us, please see “Part 0 – What I Believe” https://paulontheplane.com/part-0-what-i-believe/