Rachel Evans
Monotheism is the belief in one God as the dominant or only deity. It is a complex and nuanced concept that characterises the traditions of Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Samaritanism, Christianity, and Islam. While some scholars argue that primitive man was incapable of grasping the intellectual conception of monotheism, Catholic doctrine teaches that the religion of our first parents was monotheistic and supernatural, resulting from Divine revelation. Catholicism, the largest branch of Christianity, is considered monotheistic, despite the presence of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and saints, which some argue promote false idolatry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Monotheism is the belief in one God, with a distinction between exclusive monotheism (one God as a singular existence) and inclusive/pluriform monotheism (multiple gods or godly forms recognised as extensions of the same God) |
| Catholic Doctrine | Teaches that the religion of the first humans was monotheistic and supernatural, resulting from Divine revelation |
| Polytheism | Refers to the splintering of a singular will into multiple personal agents or divinities, each with their own domain |
| Evolution of Religion | The historical development of religions rarely shows an upward progression towards monotheism, instead often exhibiting a degeneration from monotheistic ideas |
| Narrow Monotheism | Refers to a belief in only one deity, disallowing the existence of other deities |
| Wide Monotheism | Refers to a belief in one supreme deity, allowing for the existence of other lesser deities |
| Examples of Narrow Monotheism | Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Baháʼí Faith |
| Examples of Wide Monotheism | Atenism, which holds that Yahweh is a lesser deity to Aten |
| Christianity | An Abrahamic monotheistic religion, with over 2.3 billion followers worldwide, comprising around 28.8% of the global population |
| Branches of Christianity | Catholicism (1.3 billion people), Protestantism (800 million), Eastern Orthodoxy (230 million), Oriental Orthodoxy (60 million), Restorationism (35 million), Church of the East (600,000) |
| Holy Trinity | The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are considered distinct persons united as one God, with the same divine nature, thus not constituting polytheism |
| Catechism | The three pieces of God hold all his tenets but promote them in different ways, fitting together as a whole |
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What You'll Learn
The Holy Trinity in Catholic Christianity
Monotheism is the belief in a single God as the only or dominant deity. It is a complex and nuanced concept, with "narrow monotheism" referring to the belief in only one deity, and "wide monotheism" allowing for the possibility of other lesser deities.
Christianity, including Catholic Christianity, is considered a monotheistic religion. The central doctrine of Christianity is the Holy Trinity, which consists of three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—that together form the singular Godhead. This is often conceptualized by Catholics using the analogy of a family, wherein a father, mother, and child are distinct persons with the same nature (human), just as the three persons of the Trinity are distinct but share the same divine nature.
The Blessed Trinity is a foundational aspect of Catholic theology, with each person of the Trinity fulfilling a specific role in the divine plan. The Father is the creator and source of all life, the Son is begotten of the Father and is the savior of humanity, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, bringing life and guiding believers towards the truth.
The doctrine of the Trinity is formally taught in various ecclesiastical writings, including the works of early Christian apologists such as Justin and Athenagoras. The Athanasian Creed, a fundamental text in Christian theology, expresses this concept:
> "The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God."
The Trinity is understood as a mystery of faith, with the three persons of the Godhead being co-eternal and co-equal, sharing the same divine nature and essence. This belief in the Holy Trinity as a monotheistic concept is a distinctive feature of Catholic Christianity, differentiating it from other religious traditions that may hold polytheistic beliefs.
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Catholic Christianity's roots in monotheism
Monotheism is the belief in one God as the only or dominant deity. The term was coined by Henry More in the 17th century, deriving from the Greek "monos" (single) and "theos" (god). The concept of monotheism has evolved over time, influenced by Enlightenment thinking and Christian views.
Catholic Christianity is a monotheistic religion, with its roots in the Abrahamic tradition. It began in the 1st century after the death of Jesus, as a sect of Judaism with Hellenistic influence in the Roman province of Judaea. The followers of Jesus, or Christians, spread their faith around the Eastern Mediterranean, despite facing persecution.
The core belief of Catholic Christianity is that Jesus is the Son of God, who rose from the dead after his crucifixion. This belief is outlined in the New Testament, which also chronicles the Old Testament's prophecy of Jesus' coming as the Messiah. While the religion has evolved and branched out over time, the central tenet remains the belief in Jesus as God the Son, or the Logos incarnated.
The Catholic Church, which is the largest branch of Christianity, teaches that monotheism was the original religion, revealed by God to humanity's first parents. This belief is in contrast to the views of some Evolutionists and Rationalist Protestants, who argue that early humans were incapable of grasping the complex concept of monotheism.
The Holy Trinity, a central concept in Catholic Christianity, has been a subject of debate regarding the monotheistic nature of the religion. The Trinity, composed of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is seen as a unity of one God, with each person wholly possessing the same divine nature. This distinction between "distinct" and "separate" is emphasized to differentiate monotheism from polytheism.
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The evolution of monotheism
Monotheism is the belief in a single God, the creator and lord of the world, the source of morality, and the ultimate arbiter of good and evil. The term "monotheism" was coined by Henry More in the 17th century, deriving from the Greek "monos" (single) and "theos" (god). However, the concept of monotheism, in various forms, has existed for millennia.
The philosophical group, the Stoics, in ancient Rome around the third century BC, exemplified this idea of divine unity. They maintained the existence of a single God with multiple names, each reflecting a different role. This concept of a unitary God also appeared in the works of Plato and Aristotle, influencing Jewish and Christian thought.
Post-exilic Judaism in the late 6th century BCE is recognized as the first religion to introduce the notion of a personal monotheistic God within a monist context. This marked the development of ethical monotheism, where morality is derived solely from God, and its laws are immutable. This concept became a core tenet of modern monotheistic religions, including Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and the Baháʼí Faith.
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Polytheism vs. monotheism
Monotheism and polytheism are two fundamental ways of thinking about the divine. Monotheism is the belief in a single, all-powerful deity, often seen as perfect and the ultimate authority that guides human behaviour and sets the standard for morality. The word monotheism comes from the Greek "monos" meaning "single" and "theos" meaning "god". The term was coined by Henry More (1614-1687).
Polytheism, on the other hand, is a belief system that embraces the existence of multiple gods and goddesses, often forming a pantheon of deities, each with their own unique powers, domains, and characteristics. This allows for a more diverse and nuanced perspective on the divine, as gods and goddesses are seen as multifaceted beings with strengths and weaknesses, fostering a sense of relatability and understanding.
The distinction between monotheism and polytheism is not always clear-cut, and there are different types of monotheism and polytheism. For example, "narrow monotheism" refers to the belief in only one deity, disallowing the possibility of other deities, while "wide monotheism" believes in one supreme deity but allows for the existence of other lesser deities. Similarly, in polytheism, there can be a hierarchy of deities, with one god or goddess being held as the father or lord of the rest.
Both monotheism and polytheism have ancient roots and have influenced the development of major world religions. Monotheistic religions include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and the Baháʼí Faith. While polytheism is commonly associated with ancient religions such as those of the Sumerians, Ancient Egyptians, and Greeks, it is also found in modern religions such as Hinduism and some Indigenous religions.
Catholic Christianity is considered a monotheistic religion, with the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—being understood as one God. However, some scholars argue that even monotheistic religions like Christianity may have evolved from earlier polytheistic beliefs, as evidenced by the presence of superstitious beliefs and customs that can be traced back to pre-Christian times.
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Is Catholic Christianity an Abrahamic religion?
The Abrahamic religions are a set of monotheistic religions that revere the Biblical figure Abraham. The three largest Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These religions share doctrinal, historical, and geographic overlap, contrasting them with Indian, Iranian, and East Asian religions. The term "Abrahamic religions" was introduced in the 20th century to supersede the term "Judeo-Christian tradition" and include Islam.
Catholicism is a form of Christianity, so it is considered an Abrahamic religion. However, some people argue that the term "Abrahamic faiths," while helpful, can be misleading as it conveys a historical and theological commonality that is problematic on closer examination. While there is a commonality among the religions, their shared ancestry is mainly peripheral to their respective foundational beliefs, concealing crucial differences. For example, while most Christian denominations believe Jesus to be the incarnated Son of God, this is a major theological divergence from the exclusive monotheism of Judaism, Samaritanism, the Baháʼí Faith, and Islam.
Despite these differences, there are also similarities between Catholicism and other Abrahamic religions. For example, all Abrahamic religions share a common foundation in worshipping Abraham's God, who is called Yahweh in Hebrew and Allah in Arabic. They also share similar features that distinguish them from other categories of religions, such as their theological traditions being influenced by the depiction of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible and tracing their roots to Abraham as a common genealogical and spiritual patriarch.
In addition, there are fundamental beliefs in both Islam and Judaism that are denied by most of Christianity, such as restrictions on pork consumption found in Jewish and Islamic dietary laws. However, there are also key beliefs of Islam, Christianity, and the Baháʼí Faith not shared by Judaism, such as the prophetic and Messianic position of Jesus.
In conclusion, while Catholicism is considered an Abrahamic religion due to its roots in Christianity and shared recognition of Abraham, there are both similarities and differences between Catholicism and other Abrahamic faiths.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholic Christianity is a monotheistic religion. Monotheism is the belief in one God as the only, or dominant, deity. While the Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—are three distinct persons, they are united as one God as they each wholly possess the same divine nature.
Polytheism is the belief in multiple deities, whereas monotheism is the belief in one God. Polytheism can be seen as the splintering of God's will into multiple agents, each with their own domain.
There are several types of monotheism, including narrow monotheism, wide monotheism, exclusive monotheism, inclusive monotheism, and pluriform monotheism. Narrow monotheism believes in one deity, whereas wide monotheism allows for the possibility of other lesser deities. Exclusive monotheism believes in a singular God, while inclusive monotheism recognizes multiple gods or godly forms that are extensions of the same God. Pluriform monotheism also recognizes multiple gods or godly forms, but as distinct manifestations of the same God.
