Monotheism

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of a single, personal, and transcendent god who is the ultimate source of authority, worship, and moral order. It is distinguished from polytheism, which affirms multiple gods, and from henotheism or monolatry, where one god is worshiped without denying others’ existence. The term derives from Greek monos “one” and theos “god.”

Etymology and scope: Monotheism emphasizes divine unity and exclusivity of worship, often associated with a revealed tradition, scripture, and a history of ethical or legal frameworks tied to that deity.

Historical development: The idea appears in various forms across different cultures. In the ancient Near East, reform movements in Egypt (Atenism) and evolving Israelite religion moved toward exclusive worship of one God. Zoroastrianism centers on Ahura Mazda and has been described by some scholars as monotheistic or dualistic with a dominant single deity. In classical and late antiquity, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are widely regarded as monotheistic traditions, each affirming belief in one deity though they differ in conceptions of God’s nature, revelation, and relation to the world. Hinduism presents a more diverse landscape, including monotheistic bhakti traditions focused on a single deity as well as polytheistic and panentheistic strands.

Contemporary usage and scholarship: Monotheism remains a central framework for understanding several major world religions. Some scholars debate whether certain traditions are strictly monotheistic or reflect related concepts such as monolatry, henotheism, or sophisticated forms of theism. Monotheistic ideas have also influenced philosophy, ethics, and politics throughout history.