Theological Musings of a Reformed Child

Monotheism is the belief that there is one God. This doctrine was a foundational pillar of the Jewish faith. Christians hold to the belief that God is trinitarian. Many today make the mistake of thinking that Christians worship three Gods, while orthodox Christianity firmly holds on to the belief of monotheism.

It is easy to see why this doctrine would be so important to the Jews since almost all the neighboring religions maintained a belief in multiple gods (polytheism). Monotheism to them was less a speculation about the inner being of their God and more a polemic belief about the power and standing of their God. Their God was separated, and above, all those other fake idols. It is important to note that this belief in monotheism is almost inseparable from the belief that the one God had called Israel to be His people. Together, these two beliefs formed the heart of Jewish worship and life.

The early Christians claimed to maintain a belief in monotheism while adopting the belief in the Trinity as well. The Trinity, as expounded in the Nicene-Constantinople Creed, is the belief that God is one substance and three persons: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. Interestingly enough, what the early Christians did was to simply continue in a long tradition of ways to speak about the one God.

For example, two of the great incarnational symbols of Judaism were the Temple and Torah. Both of these ideas were historically expounded upon in near divine terms. The Jews believed that the Temple was the place that God would dwell and inhabit. The Christian believes that the fullness of God dwells in the man Jesus of Nazareth. N.T. Wright says that, “The Shekinah glory (of the temple) turns out to have a human face!” As well, the Torah is spoken of being sent from God to lead and guide His people. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be our counselor and guide and true Christians are not only filled with the Spirit, they also walk according to the Spirit.

Our one God is the only real God and He has called us to be His people. A people that worship Him and bear His Image to the world. He is worthy of all of our devotion- so let’s leave all idols behind us and worship and serve Him and Him alone!