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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 original context applies to other gods. The Israelites were exposed to Egyptian gods, Canaanite gods, and more, which YHWH continuously warns against following.
Again, in Exodus, YHWH says that he will judge the gods of Egypt. This seemingly makes it sound like the gods of Egypt are real and are capable of being judged.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. — Exodus 12:12
This is also paired with the fact that Egypt’s sorcerers are able to do magic and great signs and wonders because of their gods. In the sorcerers’ duel between Moses and the Egyptian magicians, the magicians have real power that is fueled by their connection to the gods of Egypt.
