Don Stewart :: What Is a Monotheistic Religion?

When a person believes in God they are called a "theist". Monotheism is the belief that only one God exists. The term is derived from the word mono meaning "one" and theism meaning "God."

There Are Three Major Monotheistic Religions

Three of the major world religions are monotheistic - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each of these faith worships only one God.

There Is Only One God

The Bible is monotheistic - it testifies that there is only one God who exists.

You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me (Isaiah 43:10).

Scripture is clear that other gods should not be worshipped.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods beside me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God (Exodus 20:2-5).

It Is Not Enough To Believe In Only One God

The fact that a religion is monotheistic is not enough. Belief must not only be in one God, belief must be in the right God! James wrote.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that ‑ and shudder (James 2:19).

There are religions that believe in the existence of one God who is different than the God of the Bible.

Judaism And Islam Fall Short

Although Judaism and Islam worship only one God neither of these faiths can lay claim to being true. Islam worships a different God while Judaism continues to reject the coming of their promised Messiah - Jesus Christ.

Summary

The Bible presents monotheism - the belief in one God. However, not all religions that believe in one God are true. It is important to believe in the right God. Although Judaism believes in the right God, the system in which they worship has now been done away with. Islam worships one God but it is not the same God as the One in the Bible. Hence only Christianity proclaims the genuine truth of one God who exists.