Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8799 polytheism

8799 polytheism

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8799 polytheism

Belief in, and worship of, more than one god. It is forbidden in Scripture because God has revealed himself as the one true God. Israel in the OT and the church in the NT lived amongst polytheistic peoples. The Israelites shared in this worship and so came under God's judgment.

The uniqueness of God

There is only one true God

Isaiah 45:5-6 See also Deuteronomy 6:4; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:8

The contrast of the true God with idols

1 Thessalonians 1:9 See also 1 Chronicles 16:26 pp Psalm 96:5; Isaiah 40:18-19,25-26; Acts 17:29; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Galatians 4:8

Polytheism is expressly forbidden

Warnings against worshipping idols

Exodus 20:23 See also Exodus 20:3-5 pp Deuteronomy 5:7-9; Exodus 23:13; Leviticus 17:7

Polytheism compromises relationship with God

2 Kings 17:35-38 See also Deuteronomy 31:16; Jeremiah 11:10; 1 Corinthians 10:18-22

The challenge to Israel to worship God only

Joshua 24:15 See also Genesis 35:2-4; Deuteronomy 12:2-4; 1 Kings 18:21

Polytheism brings God's judgment

Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 31:17-18; Joshua 23:16; Jeremiah 11:11-13

Polytheism among Israel's neighbours

Judges 10:6 See also Judges 16:23; 1 Kings 11:33; 2 Kings 1:2; Kings 17:29-33; Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2; Ezekiel 8:14

Polytheism among the Israelites

They were called to destroy foreign gods

Numbers 33:51-52 See also Exodus 23:24; Exodus 34:12-13; Deuteronomy 12:2-3

They were seduced by foreign gods

2 Kings 17:15-18; Jeremiah 2:11 See also Exodus 34:15-16; Numbers 25:2; Deuteronomy 12:30; Deuteronomy 32:16-17; Judges 2:11-13; Psalm 106:34-36; Hosea 2:13; Hosea 11:2

Polytheism among Israel's kings

1 Kings 11:5-7 Solomon; 1 Kings 12:28-29 Jeroboam, king of Israel; 1 Kings 16:30-33 Ahab, king of Israel; 2 Kings 16:3-4 Ahaz, king of Judah; 2 Kings 21:3-5 Manasseh, king of Judah

Examples of reforming kings

1 Kings 15:12-13 Asa, king of Judah; 2 Kings 18:4 Hezekiah, king of Judah; 2 Kings 23:12-15 Josiah, king of Judah

The character of polytheism in the OT

The physical representation of deities

Leviticus 26:1; 1 Kings 14:23; Isaiah 48:5

Cult prostitution

Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24

Human sacrifice

Leviticus 18:21 to Molech; Deuteronomy 12:31; 2 Kings 3:26-27 to Chemosh; Jeremiah 19:5 to Baal; Ezekiel 16:20-21

Self-mutilation

1 Kings 18:28-29

Polytheism in the NT

It was widespread

Acts 17:23 The Athenians were fearful of offending a god by failing to give him attention. Any omissions were covered in the designation “UNKNOWN GOD”. See also Acts 14:11-13; Acts 19:35; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6

The worship of man-made idols

1 Corinthians 12:2 See also Acts 17:16; Acts 19:26; Romans 1:20-23; 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Idols in themselves are nothing, but they represent a demonic presence which lies behind polytheistic worship.