Rather a long gap in writing here, partly due to working extra shifts to cover for a colleague being off sick. I've also been trying to process quite alot of thoughts that have come up following some of Jarred's comments.
So, here goes with the latest one...
Christianity is a monotheistic religion. I'd always thought that meant believing that only one God exists. But rereading the Bible suggests that other gods DO in fact exist. Maybe I'm more used to hearing them referred to as "principalities and powers" - in other words, some kind of spiritual entities that aren't as powerful as God.
So does being monotheistic mean believing in one ultimate God, or does it mean worshipping only one God?
Back To The Fuchsias
4 hours ago
Technically, monotheism means believing in one god. Believing in multiple gods but only worshiping one (or some other small number) of them is actually called henotheism.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jarred - another new word to add to my vocabulary ;-)
ReplyDeleteDepends what you mean by "believe"? Cognitive assent to the existence of? Being intimately/intellectually/emotionally acquainted with? What about worship? Respecting, committing one's life (part or entirely to? Is it a mutual transaction, or just a one-sided isolated act of appeasement? Plenty of scope for exploration and definition, really...
ReplyDelete