The Bible Takes Other Gods Seriously. Should You?
Monotheism vs. Henotheism
Most Christians consider themselves to be monotheists. Any acknowledgment or belief in other gods is seen as sacrilegious. Many Christians believe acknowledging the existence of other gods somehow diminishes the view and existence of their own god. But that isn’t the case. In fact, the Bible acknowledges these other gods and says that YHWH, the LORD, sits above all of them. So should we take other gods seriously? Is denying the existence of other gods contradictory to the Bible? They are interesting questions with equally interesting answers.
YHWH Acknowleges Other Gods
YHWH is the main god of the Bible, and He seemingly takes the existence of other gods seriously.
Exodus 20 goes over the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are among the most famous pieces of literature in the world, and the first commandment has to do with other gods.
You shall have no other gods before me. — Exodus 20:3
It doesn’t say, “There are no other gods; there is only me.” It says you shall have no other gods before me. This makes it sound like there are other gods that people can and will follow. Modern Christians have watered this down to apply to “gods” like television or wealth, but the…
