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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
10 minutes ago8 min read

Is Primitive Monotheism the Original View of God According to the Bible?


The Bible opens with a bold, clear statement of monotheism: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). From the first verse of Scripture, it is evident that the understanding of God is monotheistic—one God, the Creator of all that exists. This simple yet profound declaration provides the foundation for understanding who God is and sets the stage for the entirety of biblical teaching on monotheism.


The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—serve as prime examples of early monotheists. Their devotion to one God is recorded throughout Genesis, where their faith in Jehovah is repeatedly tested and affirmed. For instance, when Abraham obeyed God's command to sacrifice Isaac, it demonstrated not only his faith in the one true God but also that Jehovah was the sole deity worthy of absolute trust and obedience (Genesis 22:1-19).


Furthermore, the book of Job, which is set in a pre-Mosaic period, affirms this early monotheistic understanding of God. Job consistently acknowledges the sovereignty and uniqueness of God, saying, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Throughout the narrative, there is no hint of Job turning to any other gods for help or guidance, confirming that his faith was grounded in a monotheistic worldview.



Romans 1: Did Humanity Fall Away from Primitive Monotheism?


The apostle Paul provides insight into the origins of religious belief in Romans 1:19-25, where he teaches that monotheism preceded animism and polytheism. Paul explains that humanity originally knew the truth about God because He made it evident to them: "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them" (Romans 1:19). This knowledge of the one true God was not something developed over time; it was part of humanity’s early understanding of the divine.


However, as humanity turned away from God, they "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Romans 1:23). This passage suggests that polytheism and animism—worship of nature and multiple gods—were the result of a sinful departure from the original revelation of one God. Paul’s teaching counters the evolutionary theory of religion, which claims that monotheism developed over time from more primitive religious systems like animism and polytheism. Instead, Paul presents a picture of degeneration: humanity began with knowledge of the one true God and fell into idolatry as a result of sin.



Historical Arguments for Early Monotheism


The theory that monotheism was a late development in religious history is a relatively recent one, championed by scholars such as James Frazer in his book The Golden Bough (1912). Frazer argued that religions evolved from animism (the belief that natural objects possess spirits), to polytheism (the worship of many gods), to henotheism (the worship of one god while acknowledging the existence of others), and finally to monotheism. His evolutionary framework for the development of religion mirrored the broader acceptance of Darwinian evolution, which had already begun to shape the intellectual climate of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.


However, the evolutionary thesis of religion, like biological evolution, is based on assumptions rather than solid historical evidence. While Frazer’s ideas were influential, they have been widely criticized for being speculative and based on selective anecdotal data. Scholars such as Wilhelm Schmidt have argued in favor of primitive monotheism, providing substantial evidence that belief in one God was the earliest form of religious expression.


Schmidt’s research, along with archaeological discoveries like the Ebla Tablets, supports the notion that monotheism was not a late development but an early, original belief system. The Ebla Tablets, discovered in Syria and dating back to the third millennium B.C.E., contain references to a supreme God who created the heavens and the earth, echoing the monotheism found in Genesis 1:1. The tablets record: "Lord of heaven and earth, the earth was not, you created it, the light of day was not, you created it, the morning light you had not made exist" (The Archives of Ebla, 259). This early documentation aligns with the biblical account of creation and demonstrates that monotheism existed long before the rise of polytheistic cultures.



The Biblical Patriarchs and the Early Evidence of Monotheism


The Bible not only presents theological monotheism but also anchors it in historical narrative. Genesis is a genealogical and literary record, tracing the lineage of humanity and documenting the earliest interactions between man and God. The phrase "this is the history of" (often rendered "these are the generations of") occurs multiple times in Genesis (e.g., Genesis 2:4, 5:1, 6:9), structuring the text around significant figures and events. These repeated markers emphasize the historical nature of the accounts, suggesting that monotheism was not only theologically true but also historically grounded.


The New Testament writers, including Jesus, also affirm the historicity of Genesis. For instance, Jesus refers to the creation of Adam and Eve in Matthew 19:4-5, affirming that the first human beings were created by the one true God. Other New Testament passages refer to events from the early chapters of Genesis, including the temptation and fall (Romans 5:12), the flood (2 Peter 2:5), and the genealogy of Shem (Luke 3:35-36). These references further solidify the view that early monotheism is not a late theological construct but is woven into the fabric of biblical history.


Moreover, the figure of Job, who likely lived during the time of the patriarchs, provides another compelling example of early monotheism. Job’s understanding of God is profound and personal. He refers to God as the Creator and sustainer of life, acknowledging His sovereignty over all creation: "He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing" (Job 26:7). Job's interactions with God also reveal a deep sense of God's moral authority and justice, indicating a clear belief in one supreme God who governs the universe with righteousness.



Monotheism Among Primitive Religions


In addition to biblical evidence, studies of primitive cultures around the world further challenge the theory of late monotheism. John Mbiti, an African theologian, studied 300 traditional African religions and found that without exception, they all had a concept of a Supreme Being who was the Creator and Sustainer of the world. Mbiti writes, "In all these societies, without a single exception, people have a notion of God as the Supreme Being" (African Religions and Philosophy). This discovery suggests that belief in one God is a natural and intuitive part of the human experience, even among cultures that later developed polytheistic practices.


Similar patterns can be observed in other parts of the world. Even in polytheistic cultures, there is often a "high god" or "sky god" who reigns supreme over the other deities. These high gods are often associated with creation and the governance of the natural order. In this sense, polytheism can be understood as a corruption or degradation of an original monotheistic belief system. The Bible supports this idea, as Romans 1:21-23 describes how humanity, though initially aware of God, "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."



Frazer’s Evolutionary Thesis of Religion: A Critique


Frazer's thesis, as laid out in The Golden Bough, was deeply influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution. Just as Darwin proposed that species evolved from simpler organisms into more complex ones, Frazer argued that religion evolved from primitive animism to complex monotheism. However, this theory is problematic for several reasons.


First, it assumes that biological evolution is true, a premise that has not been universally accepted, particularly within Christian theology. The biblical account of creation in Genesis 1 directly challenges the Darwinian view, teaching that God created all life forms according to their kinds, fully formed and functional from the beginning.


Second, Frazer's evolutionary model of religion is based on selective evidence and anecdotal data rather than a comprehensive historical and chronological analysis. He selectively gathered examples from various cultures that fit his model while ignoring evidence that contradicted it. This approach undermines the credibility of his conclusions.


Finally, Frazer’s thesis fails to account for the biblical and archaeological evidence that points to an early monotheism. The biblical record, supported by archaeological findings like the Ebla Tablets, clearly presents monotheism as the original religious belief. The idea that monotheism is a late development does not align with the weight of historical and scriptural evidence.



The Biblical Explanation of Religious Degradation


The Bible offers a coherent explanation for the rise of polytheism and idolatry. As already noted in Romans 1, humanity originally knew God but chose to reject Him in favor of worshiping created things. This shift from monotheism to polytheism is not an evolution of religious thought but a spiritual and moral degradation. Romans 1:25 states, "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator." This exchange of truth for falsehood resulted in the proliferation of polytheistic religions and idolatrous practices.


Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against following the polytheistic practices of the surrounding nations. Exodus 20:3 commands, "You shall have no other gods before me," emphasizing the exclusive nature of monotheistic worship. The Israelites’ frequent lapses into idolatry, as recorded in Judges and 1 Kings, illustrate the ongoing struggle between monotheism and the seductive appeal of polytheism. Yet, despite these lapses, the biblical narrative consistently calls God's people back to the worship of the one true God.



Primitive Monotheism as the Original and True Religion


Monotheism is not a late development in the history of religion but the original understanding of God as revealed in Scripture and affirmed by historical evidence. From the earliest chapters of Genesis to the teachings of the apostle Paul, the Bible consistently presents one God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. The degradation of monotheism into polytheism, animism, and other religious systems is the result of humanity's rejection of the truth and their descent into idolatry.


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).


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