Tag: Polytheism

Idol Worship around Israel

On By smundorfIn SpenceLeave a comment

My seminar project is to look into the transition from polytheistic culture to a more modern monotheistic culture. I will be focusing this on Biblical scripture which will of course limit my scope to Judeo-Christian beliefs around the area of Israel.

One source which I would like to use is a book by Frank Stockton Dobbins called False Gods: Or, The Idol Worship of the World. The book focuses on the worship of Gods from polytheistic cultures around the world, many of which would be considered pagan in some degree. Dobbins is very interested in what pushes people towards faith in a more logical approach.

The way in which this source fits with the project I am trying to do is the ways in which it discusses overlaps of culture in neighboring regions. For the purposes of my research and subject I will be focusing on the Middle East and Israel in particular. As that is the heart of the Judeo-Christian belief in a geological stand point it makes sense that much of the idea of modern monotheism stems from this area as well. Dobbins is able to touch on this through discusses the surrounding Empires and Kingdoms that had a great deal of influence over the developing culture of Israel. One example that Dobbins has much focus on is Egyptian culture and their entire roster of Gods and mythology all to their own.

By using this source I can help to explain specific examples of crossover between Judeo-Christian beliefs and the Egyptian pantheon. I can look into what ways particular Gods had some characteristics rub off on the singular God of Israel as well as the many clashes between the two peoples. A huge example to be related to this subject is the Hebrew population living in Egypt for a time before being enslaved and highlighting that crossover. However, the book has its limits as it talks very little of monotheism and therefore leaves half of my subject out. This should at least get me half of the story I need to make the argument and further research.

Dobbins, Frank S. False Gods; or The Idol Worship of the World. A Complete History of Idolatrous Worship throughout the World, Ancient and Modern. Describing the Strange Beliefs, Practices, Superstitions, Temples, Idols, Shrines, Sacrifices, Domestic Peculiarities Etc., Etc., Connected Therewith. Blackall.

Elevator Pitch Revised

On By smundorfIn SpenceLeave a comment

X: The subject I would like to look further into is the Torah concerning the characterization of God. While looking back it seemed as though I should stick to just one character or book of the story that seems to be too limiting.

There is a gradual realization of God as a deity/character over the course of the Torah. The book of Genesis begins the writings of God and has an early conception of his identity. This development began with the idea of monotheism from a world that was filled with polytheistic cultures. Judaism had its beginnings with Egyptian and Canaanite Gods before leading into times with Babylonian and Assyrian Gods as opposition. These other cultures had an influence over the eventual monotheistic culture that spans Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Y: The Question I want to ask is how did the Textual Scripture show this transition from polytheistic cultures into a monotheistic culture? How is the Bible itself able to make slowly more distinct images and rules of God being a singular being that isn’t supported by a cast of other deities?

Z: This Question would help to answer the early characterizations of God. It would help to explain why there is a distinct difference in God in his early scripture as being mistake at times for one of many or having different personalities assigned to him. This can also be easily seen in God’s early actions being much more violent than his later actions.

One source I would like to use aside from the King James Bible is a book called False Gods; or the Idol Worship of the World by Frank Stockton Dubbins. The book discusses idolatry or the worship of other Gods which makes for a great point to be made about God’s characterization in Biblical scripture. One of the first establishing parts of God being a singular God is when he is confronted with his people worshipping God’s other than himself. This subject should make for a bulk of the transition but not all of the idea needed.

Dobbins, Frank S. False Gods; or The Idol Worship of the World. A Complete History of Idolatrous Worship throughout the World, Ancient and Modern. Describing the Strange Beliefs, Practices, Superstitions, Temples, Idols, Shrines, Sacrifices, Domestic Peculiarities Etc., Etc., Connected Therewith. Blackall.

Elevator Speech: Transition from Polytheism to Monotheism

On By smundorfIn SpenceLeave a comment

X: The subject I would like to look further into is the Torah or more specifically the story of Moses. This would be across all books that tell his story rather than limiting myself to any specific book as they would be an incomplete section of a larger story. The subject within the Torah I would like to explore is God’s characteristics as a deity. There is often the pointed-out difference between God in the Torah and God as depicted in later Christian texts. The two almost seem to be entirely different Gods based on their temperament toward humans and even those they claim as their people. The God of the Torah has many violent tendencies, not only toward enemies of his people but on many occasions toward his own people. He is often known for smiting and punishing those who have done wrong and constantly reminds the Israelites of his power to perform such violence. The later Christian depiction of God in comparison is far more forgiving and known less for his violent deeds on humanity. He is often considered a symbol of peace even when religion can be taken to extremes.

Y: The question about this subject is “How was the early depiction of God in the Torah influenced by characteristics of Gods from other neighboring religions, especially those of Egypt, in the transition from polytheism to monotheism.

Z: This would help to explain the wide range of characteristics God takes on throughout the Bible as a whole and show the progression of his traits. This question would help to show the transition from Gods with more human-like qualities and faults to the often angelic or heavenly depictions that are present in modern day. This would over course be looking at religion in a strictly literary sense and not taking into account the beliefs behind such texts.

Work Cited

Coogan, Michael David, et al., editors. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. Fifth ed., Oxford University Press, 2018.