How Does Monism Contrast with Biblical Understanding of Reality and the Nature of God?

Dec 13, 20249 min read

Monism, in its simplest form, insists that all reality is fundamentally one. It suggests that there are not many separate beings or entities, but only one single, indivisible reality. The roots of this concept can be traced back to Parmenides of Elea, an ancient Greek philosopher born around 515 B.C.E., who argued that true reality is singular and unchanging. In his view, multiplicity and change are mere illusions. Parmenides’ reasoning was that if there were more than one being, they would have to differ from each other either by being or by non-being. However, since non-being is nothing and cannot serve as a basis for differentiation, he concluded that there is only one being.

In contrast to monism, the biblical worldview affirms the existence of both a Creator and a creation, acknowledging a fundamental distinction between God and the created world. This is reflected in Genesis 1:1, where it is written: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Here, the act of creation itself implies the existence of both God, who is eternal and self-existent, and the world, which came into being by His command. Monism, however, collapses this distinction by denying the multiplicity of beings and reducing all reality to a single, unified existence.

Philosophical Alternatives to Monism: Ancient and Modern Responses

Throughout history, various philosophical systems have emerged to challenge or refine the concept of monism. Four major alternatives are Aristotelianism, Thomism, Atomism, and Platonism, each proposing a different way to understand how multiplicity and differentiation can exist within reality.

Atomism and Absolute Non-being

Atomists like Leucippus and Democritus, following Parmenides, proposed that reality is composed of indivisible particles called atoms, which differ from one another by the void (or empty space) between them. They claimed that atoms are essentially identical in substance but differ extrinsically due to their location in space, which is non-being. This idea of non-being as a void contradicts the biblical understanding of creation. Colossians 1:16-17 emphasizes that "by [Christ] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together." The biblical view affirms that all created things have inherent meaning and purpose because they were brought into being by the sovereign God, not as particles separated by meaningless voids.

Plato’s Relative Non-being

Plato, another influential philosopher, believed that physical objects are mere shadows of true reality, which resides in abstract forms or ideas. In his view, things differ not by absolute non-being but by relative non-being. Plato suggested that forms are the true reality and that physical objects participate in these forms. For example, all chairs participate in the form of "chairness," and individual chairs are distinct because they reflect this form to varying degrees.

Plato’s concept of forms introduces a shadowy distinction between true reality and the physical world. However, Hebrews 1:3 presents a different understanding: “He [Christ] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” The Bible reveals that the material world, while temporary, is upheld and sustained by the power of God through Christ, not by abstract forms or ideas. Plato's dualistic view of reality conflicts with the biblical teaching that God's created world, though fallen, is real and good, as declared in Genesis 1:31, "God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good."

Aristotelianism and Simple Beings

Aristotle responded to the dilemma posed by Parmenides by asserting that beings are metaphysically simple and differ from each other by their form. However, in his philosophy, each form is pure and unmixed with matter, and these forms are the driving forces of all motion and change in the universe. Aristotle’s unmoved movers, beings that cause motion without themselves being changed, have no matter and are separated by their unique forms.

This metaphysical system struggles to account for the personal and relational nature of God as revealed in Scripture. The God of the Bible is not an impersonal "unmoved mover" but a personal Creator who actively interacts with His creation. Isaiah 64:8 states, "But now, O Jehovah, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." The biblical God is not detached or uninvolved but shapes and forms His people according to His will.

Thomism: Complex Beings and the Distinction Between God and Creation

Thomas Aquinas, a medieval philosopher and theologian, sought to resolve the tension between Parmenides’ monism and the evident multiplicity of the created world. He argued that only God is an absolutely simple being, while all other beings are composite, meaning they are composed of both actuality and potentiality. In this way, Aquinas maintained the distinction between God and creation while acknowledging the diversity of finite beings.

According to Aquinas, God's essence is identical to His existence—He is pure actuality without potentiality. In contrast, created beings have potentiality, which is progressively actualized. This is consistent with biblical teaching. Exodus 3:14 records God's declaration to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” emphasizing God’s self-existence and unchanging nature. However, created beings, including humans, have both essence and existence, and they are dependent on God for their existence and sustenance. Acts 17:28 affirms this truth: "In him we live and move and have our being."

The Creator-Creation Distinction: A Biblical Response to Monism

One of the fundamental problems with monism, whether in its ancient or modern forms, is that it denies the biblical distinction between Creator and creation. The Bible clearly teaches that God, the Creator, is distinct from His creation. In Psalm 33:6, it is written, "By the word of Jehovah the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host." This passage affirms that God is the source of all creation, but He is not part of the created order.

Monism, on the other hand, reduces all of reality to one, eliminating any distinction between God and the world. This is seen in various monistic philosophies and religions, which teach that the ultimate goal is for individual souls to merge back into the oneness of reality or to realize that all distinctions are illusory. This stands in sharp contrast to the biblical teaching that God is holy, meaning He is set apart from His creation. Isaiah 6:3 records the angels crying, “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” God’s holiness emphasizes His distinctness from the created world.

Furthermore, monism often leads to pantheism, the belief that God is identical with the universe. This is contrary to the biblical understanding of God as a personal, transcendent being who is separate from His creation. Romans 1:25 warns against this error: "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen." Paul condemns the tendency to blur the lines between Creator and creation, which is a common feature of monistic thought.

The Implications of Monism for Ethics and Human Dignity

Monism also has significant ethical implications. If all of reality is one, then the distinctions between good and evil, right and wrong, are ultimately meaningless. This is evident in certain Eastern religions influenced by monistic thought, where the ultimate goal is to transcend moral distinctions and merge into the oneness of being. However, the Bible teaches that moral distinctions are real and grounded in the character of God.

In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, "You shall be holy, for I Jehovah your God am holy." Holiness, in the biblical sense, involves moral purity and separation from sin. God’s moral character provides the basis for the ethical commands given to humanity. In contrast to monism, which denies real distinctions, the Bible affirms the reality of good and evil and holds human beings accountable for their actions.

Furthermore, monism undermines the biblical teaching on the dignity of individual human beings. If all is one, then individual persons are not truly distinct, and their value is diminished. In contrast, the Bible teaches that human beings are created in the image of God and have inherent dignity and worth. Genesis 1:27 declares, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." This foundational truth affirms the uniqueness of each person and their value in the sight of God.

The Superiority of the Biblical Worldview Over Monism

The biblical worldview, grounded in the distinction between Creator and creation, provides a coherent and satisfying explanation for the multiplicity and diversity of beings in the world. Unlike monism, which reduces all of reality to a single, undifferentiated whole, the Bible affirms both the unity and diversity of creation. Colossians 1:16-17 states, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together." This passage reveals that while all things are unified in their origin and purpose in Christ, they remain distinct and diverse within creation.

Moreover, the biblical doctrine of creation ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) provides a stronger foundation for understanding the relationship between God and the world than monism. In Hebrews 11:3, it is written, "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." God, who is distinct from His creation, brought the universe into existence by His powerful word. This stands in stark contrast to the monistic idea that creation is somehow an emanation or extension of the divine being.

The biblical worldview also offers a more robust account of human free will and moral responsibility. Monism, by denying the reality of individual persons, often leads to fatalism or determinism, where human choices are seen as illusory. In contrast, the Bible teaches that human beings are moral agents responsible for their actions. Deuteronomy 30:19 calls people to make real choices: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live." Human freedom and responsibility are integral to the biblical understanding of reality, which stands in opposition to the fatalistic tendencies of monism.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).