A question of Monotheism?

Question

In a Monotheistic culture, why is it I get the impression that the deity has multiple personalities? For example, in a normal reading of the bible [That is, before English translation], many words are used to refer to "God," usually describing some aspect of his supposed nature [The most commonly known is Yahweh,, or I am that I am, denoting the self sustaining, and eternal nature of the character.]. To add to this, Christians created a Trinity god, much like the Celtic The Morrigan.

In summation, is Monotheism actually Polytheism forced together into a single entity, in much the same way many would like humanity to be [All the same, but somehow different, never dissenting]

No, Muslims have a list of names too. The Trinity is the most well known example though.

Answer 1

The book of Genesis begins "In the beginning, God..." But the word used is "Elohim" which denotes a plurality. I've never asked a Jew what they make of this, and I'd love to know. But that's the first line of the Bible, and Christians see it as supporting the Oneness of God in the Trinity.

Answer 2

Your basically getting it.

In the history of religions, polytheism was first. But even some of those amongst the polytheistic culture positted that someone created their "Gods." The later monotheistic cultures, who wanted to pray to the most high god who actually did the originating of everything, would see these different Gods merely as different "facets" or "personallities" of the same thing.

That's history class. Some people will take umbrage I'm sure. Old books and cave paintings aren't going to change just because someone doesn't like how they look at something.

The flaming commences, I'm sure.... :p

Answer 3

Originally, the idea of G-d was that He was One and that he did not compose of other gods. But, even though the christian version of G-d consists of 3 gods, some believe it is still monotheism , because these deities act as one single god. However, many people disagree with the fact that its monotheism, because of the fact that there is more than one god.

Answer 4

Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity NEVER taught his followers that he was God the Son, the second person of the trinity. To the contrary, he taught his followers that his Father, Jehovah, was the ONLY true God. (John 17:3) And rather than boast equality with his Father, he said at John 14:28: "The Father is greater than I am." He also told his disciple Mary that he and she worshiped the same God. At John 20:17, he told her: "I am ascending to MY GOD and your God.

True Christians accept and practice the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. They reject the trinity as a man-made falsehood.

Answer 5

I believe it is from the fact that the Jewish, as an enslaved population, make their god one god because their enslavers had many. The ideas and stories from those religions bled in though giving the impression that there is some kind of multiplitcity in the god construct.

Answer 6

No.

Monotheism supports the notion of a single creator that has different attributes.

These attributes have names but they are not necessarily different parts of existence or entities in their own right.

I am still very much concerned about how people read the translations of the bible and not really the original.

When we muslims teach our kids to learn arabic to be able to read and understand the quran for themselves.

Answer 7

Polythestic? Well no, because the Christian faith works on the basis that all parts of the Trinity are equally the same God.

Answer 8

Not all Christians believe in the Trinity.

Answer 9

I think you have confused yourself over what is a numerical issue and over what is a character/nature issue. There is only ONE God, but many facets to this God in regards to His being. As to His name and designation there are many, but still only ONE God. As to His nature it is triune, but still there is ONE God.

Answer 10

Are you generalizing Monotheism or just Christianity? Hmmm?