1 Corinthians 8:4-7 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.; . Hermans Note; This and the following verses discuss the idea that: Many are called gods but are not gods.;" ------------------------- John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.; . Hermans Note; This and the following verses discuss the idea that: There Is Only One True God. All others are not true Gods or no God at all.;" ------------------------ 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." ---------------------------- 2 Chronicles;15:3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law." ----------------------------- Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation." ---------------------------- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" --------------------------- Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. -------------------------- Jeremiah 2:11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. --------------------------- Jeremiah 5:7 How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses. ------------------------- Jeremiah 16:20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. ---------------------------- Joshua 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them. --------------------------- Deuteronomy 7:25-26 25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God. 26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing." -------------------------- Deuteronomy 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. -------------------------- 1 Corinthians 8:4-7 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and t hat there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.; . Hermans Note; In the first section of this presentation the focus was on scriptures that state explicitly that there is but one God. The second section focused on scriptures that state implicitly that there are many gods. This third and final section focused on the scriptures that acknowledged that there Is only one True God. All others are not true Gods or no God at all. Now I will express a conclusion based on those scriptures. 1 Corinthians 8:4 informs us that there are many so called gods. These so-called gods exist in both heaven and earth. This encompasses angels, idols, animals and men. Paul goes on to explain that to the Apostles or to Christians these gods are not gods at all. The acknowledgment that they are gods is the testimony of a non-Christian or a Henotheist. Exodus 23:13 further supports the conclusion that a Christian should not open his mouth and testify that these other gods are gods rather a Christian’s attitude towards these so-called gods should be one of utter detest and abhorring. It is quite clear that it is anti-biblical for a Christian to build a doctrine or support a doctrine based on the premise that there are many gods. Having supported through the scriptures that God views it a abhoring thing for a Christian to declare that there are many gods the following conclusion about polytheism follows: Polytheism is not limited to the worship of many gods, but rather includes the belief that there are many gods. To testify that an entity is a god means you agree that the entity is worthy of worship, weather or not you personally choose to give the entity his due worship. This is the essence of Henotheism. We sin both in thought and deed. The thought that there are many gods is as sinful as worshiping those gods and is detestable to God. According the Wikipedia encyclopedia theism, in the broadest sense, is the belief that at least one deity exists. In a more specific sense, theism is a doctrine concerning the nature of a monotheistic God and God's relationship to the universe. Atheism is rejection of theism in the broadest sense of theism; i.e. the rejection of belief that there is even one deity. Put simply theism and atheism deal with belief. How you behave based on that belief is another discussion. Monotheism is the belief in theology that only one deity exists. Some modern day monotheistic religions include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and some forms of Buddhism and Hinduism. Polytheism is the belief that there is more than one deity. In practice, polytheism is not just the belief that there are multiple gods; it usually includes belief in the existence of a specific pantheon of distinct deities. Henotheism is the belief that there may be more than one deity, but only one of them is worshipped. Grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.;"