Monolatry
The word monolatry describes a specific religious stance where many gods exist, yet only one receives worship. Frank E. Eakin, Jr. wrote in 1971 that Jews believed other gods existed but trusted their own deity to protect them. Julius Wellhausen possibly coined the term to describe this unique theological position. This belief differs sharply from monotheism which claims only one god exists. It also diverges from henotheism which accepts both other gods and their valid worship. Monolatry insists on exclusive devotion while acknowledging external divine powers.
Pharaoh Akhenaten began his religious reforms during the fifth year of his reign around 1348 BCE. He initially ruled as Amenhotep IV before changing his name to Agreeable to the Aten. The new capital city he built at Amarna stood as Horizon of the Aten. Akhenaten elevated the sun disk Aten to supreme status within ancient Egyptian religion. His ninth year brought a radical declaration making Aten the only god of Egypt. He positioned himself as the sole intermediary between the people and the sun god. Prayers like the Great Hymn to the Aten addressed the unseen spirit through rays ending in hands. Idols were banned except for the solar disc itself. Most scholars view this era as monolatrous rather than strictly monotheistic since other gods were not denied existence. Only Akhenaten and Nefertiti could worship Aten directly while others worshipped him instead.
Historians argue that early Israelites practiced forms of monolatry or henotheism according to Frank E. Eakin, Jr. John Day suggests angels became what happened to other gods once monotheism dominated among Jews. John L. McKenzie noted that divine beings existed universally without question in the ancient Near East. The Ten Commandments contain phrases like you shall have no other gods before me which some interpret as evidence of exclusive worship. Exodus 12:12 references gods of Egypt suggesting their existence was acknowledged by the Israelites. Magic performed by Pharaoh's sorcerers in Exodus 7:11-13 implied power outside Yahweh yet forbidden to Israelites. Genesis 3:22 shows Yahweh speaking about becoming like one of us indicating multiple divine figures. Many Israelites chose foreign gods over Yahweh before the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BCE. Books like Hosea and Nahum lamented apostasy from polytheistic cults during the eighth century BCE competition with Baals.
The shift from monolatrous practices toward strict monotheism occurred during the Babylonian captivity period. Evidence within the Hebrew Bible records many Israelites worshipping idols instead of Yahweh before this era. Medieval Jewish scholars often interpreted texts differently than modern historians do today. Rashi recognized in his eleventh-century commentary on Deuteronomy 6:4 that belief in one God was only part of faith at Moses' time. Maimonides included a second principle stating eventual acceptance of monotheism by all humanity. The Shema Yisrael declaration remains central to Jewish prayer traditions despite historical complexities. Scholars debate whether early Israelite religion represented true monotheism or exclusive worship of Yahweh among many gods. The transition involved centuries of theological development across different biblical books and eras.
Joseph Smith taught in 1820 that he saw two personages including God the Father and Jesus Christ. By 1843 he stated these beings possessed separate tangible bodies unlike traditional Christian views. Latter-day Saints believe three distinct beings belong to one Godhead united in thought and purpose. Jeffrey R. Holland explained that being one with God means gaining immortality and eternal life. D. Todd Christofferson stated humans may become one with God as Jesus did through exaltation. Belief includes other gods like Heavenly Mother who is married to God the Father. Faithful members can attain godhood in the afterlife according to LDS doctrine. Bruce R. McConkie argued if monotheism means one Godhead then true saints are monotheists. Blake Ostler normalized recognition of monolatry within the movement through his scholarly works. Classification of Mormonism as monolatrous remains strongly disputed among church members themselves.
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Common questions
What is the definition of monolatry according to Frank E. Eakin, Jr?
Monolatry describes a specific religious stance where many gods exist yet only one receives worship. Frank E. Eakin, Jr. wrote in 1971 that Jews believed other gods existed but trusted their own deity to protect them.
When did Pharaoh Akhenaten begin his religious reforms around 1348 BCE?
Pharaoh Akhenaten began his religious reforms during the fifth year of his reign around 1348 BCE. He initially ruled as Amenhotep IV before changing his name to Agreeable to the Aten and built the new capital city at Amarna which stood as Horizon of the Aten.
Why do historians argue early Israelites practiced forms of monolatry or henotheism?
Historians argue that early Israelites practiced forms of monolatry or henotheism because Exodus 12:12 references gods of Egypt suggesting their existence was acknowledged by the Israelites. John L. McKenzie noted that divine beings existed universally without question in the ancient Near East while books like Hosea and Nahum lamented apostasy from polytheistic cults during the eighth century BCE competition with Baals.
How did the shift from monolatrous practices toward strict monotheism occur during the Babylonian captivity period?
The shift from monolatrous practices toward strict monotheism occurred during the Babylonian captivity period when many Israelites chose foreign gods over Yahweh before the sixth century BCE. Evidence within the Hebrew Bible records many Israelites worshipping idols instead of Yahweh before this era and Rashi recognized in his eleventh-century commentary on Deuteronomy 6:4 that belief in one God was only part of faith at Moses' time.
What did Joseph Smith teach about two personages including God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820?
Joseph Smith taught in 1820 that he saw two personages including God the Father and Jesus Christ. By 1843 he stated these beings possessed separate tangible bodies unlike traditional Christian views and Latter-day Saints believe three distinct beings belong to one Godhead united in thought and purpose.