Monolatry

Monolatry is the recognition and worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods. It acknowledges the possibility of other deities but consistently worships only one.

Distinction from Related Concepts:

• Monotheism: Believes in the existence of only one God. Monotheism denies the existence of other gods entirely, while monolatry acknowledges their potential existence but focuses worship solely on one.
• Henotheism: Similar to monolatry, but emphasizes that the chosen god is superior or ultimate among all other gods. Henotheism can be seen as a form of monolatry where the chosen deity is considered supreme.
• Monism: The belief that all of reality is ultimately one substance or principle. This is distinct from the number of gods worshipped.
• Polytheism: The belief in and worship of multiple gods. Monolatry differs from polytheism by its exclusive worship of a single deity, even if it acknowledges others.

Historical Context:

The term is often used in discussions of the historical development of religious belief, particularly in the context of ancient Israel. Scholars often debate whether early Israelite religion was monolatrous before evolving into full monotheism. Evidence suggests that while Yahweh was the primary, and perhaps only, god worshipped, the existence of other gods was not always explicitly denied.

Key Characteristics:

• Acknowledgment of the potential existence of other gods.
• Exclusive worship of a single, specific god.
• Absence of a definitive denial of the reality or power of other deities.