Monotheism and World Religions

Far from having evolved through the centuries of Israel's history, monotheism is an inspired insight revealed by God to his people. The God of the Bible, the Creator of all that exists, stands outside the universe and is not a part of it. Only three modern religions share this viewpoint, and all of them are based on the revealed religion of ancient Israel.

• (1) Judaism's synagogue services always begin with Deut. 6:4, a creedal statement known as the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (emphatically approved by Jesus in Mark 12:28 - 29).

• (2) Christianity's greatest apostle defined monotheism in its most classic form in 1 Tim. 2:5: "There is one God."

• (3) Islam (Mohammedanism) claims millions of followers who recite this prayer as they prostrate themselves toward Mecca five times a day: "There is no god but God."