Common questions about Monotheism

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was the word monotheism coined and by whom?

The word monotheism was coined by Henry More in 1660. Before this linguistic invention, scholars and believers used terms like monolatry, henotheism, or one-god discourse to describe their faiths.

When did Pharaoh Akhenaten establish Atenism and what changes did he make?

Pharaoh Akhenaten established Atenism in Year 5 of his reign, around the 2nd of January 1348 BCE. He changed his name from Amenhotep IV to Akhenaten, moved the capital from Thebes to Akhetaten, and banned idols and images of the sun except for a rayed solar disc.

When did the First Council of Nicaea take place and what was its main decision?

The First Council of Nicaea was held in 325 CE in present-day Turkey. All but two bishops took the position that Jesus was of the same substance, homoousios, as the Father, resulting in the first uniform Christian doctrine known as the Nicene Creed.

When did the doctrine of the Trinity take its final form and who developed it?

The doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the form it has maintained ever since by the end of the 4th century. It was developed under the leadership of the Cappadocian Fathers, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus.

When did Islam emerge and what is the core principle of Islamic belief?

Islam emerged in the 7th century CE in the context of both Christianity and Judaism. Tawhid constitutes the foremost article of the Muslim profession of faith, stating that there is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.

When did Rastafari develop and who is given central importance in its beliefs?

Rastafari developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. The former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, is given central importance, with many Rastas regarding him as an incarnation of Jah on Earth and as the Second Coming of Christ.

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