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'''Theism''' in the broadest sense is the belief in at least one [[deity]].<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition''</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theism |title=Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary |accessdate=2009-01-13}}</ref> In a more specific sense, ''theism'' refers to a particular doctrine concerning the nature of [[God]] and his relationship to the universe.<ref>See, for example,''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Second Edition;'' ''The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions'', 1997, or the current ''Encyclopedia Britannica.''</ref> Theism, in this specific sense, [[Personal god|conceives of God as personal]] and active in the governance and organization of the world and the universe. The use of the word ''theism'' as indicating a particular doctrine of [[monotheism]] arose in the wake of [[Scientific Revolution|the scientific revolution]] of the seventeenth century to contrast with the then emerging [[deism]] which contended that God — though transcendent and supreme — did not intervene in the [[natural world]] and could be known rationally but not via [[revelation]].<ref> John Orr (''English Deism: Its Roots and Its Fruits'', 1934) explains that before the seventeenth century theism and deism were interchangeable terms but during the course of the seventeenth century they gained separate and mutually exclusive meanings (''see article'' [[Deism]])</ref> |
'''Theism''' in the broadest sense is the belief in at least one [[deity]].<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition''</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theism |title=Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary |accessdate=2009-01-13}}</ref> In a more specific sense, ''theism'' refers to a particular doctrine concerning the nature of [[God]] and his relationship to the universe.<ref>See, for example,''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Second Edition;'' ''The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions'', 1997, or the current ''Encyclopedia Britannica.''</ref> Theism, in this specific sense, [[Personal god|conceives of God as personal]] and active in the governance and organization of the world and the universe. The use of the word ''theism'' as indicating a particular doctrine of [[monotheism]] arose in the wake of [[Scientific Revolution|the scientific revolution]] of the seventeenth century to contrast with the then emerging [[deism]] which contended that God — though transcendent and supreme — did not intervene in the [[natural world]] and could be known rationally but not via [[revelation]].<ref> John Orr (''English Deism: Its Roots and Its Fruits'', 1934) explains that before the seventeenth century theism and deism were interchangeable terms but during the course of the seventeenth century they gained separate and mutually exclusive meanings (''see article'' [[Deism]])</ref> |
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The term "theism" derives from the Greek ''theos'' meaning God |
The term "theism" derives from the Greek ''theos'' meaning God and was coined by [[Ralph Cudworth]] (1617–1688).<ref>{{cite book|last=Halsey|first=William|coauthors=Robert H. Blackburn, Sir Frank Francis|title=Collier's Encyclopedia|editor=Louis Shores|publisher=Crowell-Collier Educational Corporation|date=1969|edition=20|volume=22|pages=266–267}}</ref> |
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The negation, rejection, or absence of theism is known as [[atheism]] or [[nontheism]]. |
The negation, rejection, or absence of theism is known as [[atheism]] or [[nontheism]]. |
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==Theism and Deism== |
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==Types== |
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Theism, like Deism, is a species of monotheism (see below) but Theists consider God to be present in the [[Universe]] and accessible to humans through prayer and communion. This is the doctrine of God's [[immanence]] which Deists typically reject. According to Theists God's actual presence as the supernatural originator and organizer of the natural world makes possible not only communion with Him but also supernatural occurrences whose existence Theists do not deny but rather accept and rejoice in as evidence of God's activity. In the [[Abrahamic]] tradition humans are considered to have been created [[imago dei|in God's image]] which is not to say that God is a [[primate]] but rather that the spiritual and cognitive make-up of humanity is in its original purity of the same substance as God Himself. According to traditional [[theology]], it is [[sin]] that obscures this reality, divorcing humanity from God and preventing here-and-now communion with Him. Thus, according to Theists, the pure in heart (saints) actually 'see' God as a living presence (''see'' [[Theoria]]) and as agents of God may manifest supernatural events (''see'' [[miracles]]). |
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Deism is a worldview which gained ascendence during the [[scientific revolution]] of the [[seventeenth century]] when leading philosophers and scientists such as [[Descartes]] and [[Newton]] proposed that the [[universe]] and the living organisms on Earth are [[machines]] following pre-existing laws of nature. Thus the universe was conceived as a [[Clockwork universe|giant clockwork mechanism]] in which God as an active, present, organizing entity is rendered superfluous. God created all things in the beginning and set them in motion but has no further creative role from that point on since the order that emerges in such a universe happens according to purely mechanical action. Such a philosophy renders ultimately any doctrine of [[special creation]] as also unecessary since the complexity of biological form can be explained as having also come about due to mechanical action. |
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===Monotheism=== |
===Monotheism=== |
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{{Main|Monotheism}} |
{{Main|Monotheism}} |
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Revision as of 00:25, 17 October 2009
Theism in the broadest sense is the belief in at least one deity.[1][2] In a more specific sense, theism refers to a particular doctrine concerning the nature of God and his relationship to the universe.[3] Theism, in this specific sense, conceives of God as personal and active in the governance and organization of the world and the universe. The use of the word theism as indicating a particular doctrine of monotheism arose in the wake of the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century to contrast with the then emerging deism which contended that God — though transcendent and supreme — did not intervene in the natural world and could be known rationally but not via revelation.[4]
The term "theism" derives from the Greek theos meaning God and was coined by Ralph Cudworth (1617–1688).[5]
The negation, rejection, or absence of theism is known as atheism or nontheism.
Theism and Deism
Theism, like Deism, is a species of monotheism (see below) but Theists consider God to be present in the Universe and accessible to humans through prayer and communion. This is the doctrine of God's immanence which Deists typically reject. According to Theists God's actual presence as the supernatural originator and organizer of the natural world makes possible not only communion with Him but also supernatural occurrences whose existence Theists do not deny but rather accept and rejoice in as evidence of God's activity. In the Abrahamic tradition humans are considered to have been created in God's image which is not to say that God is a primate but rather that the spiritual and cognitive make-up of humanity is in its original purity of the same substance as God Himself. According to traditional theology, it is sin that obscures this reality, divorcing humanity from God and preventing here-and-now communion with Him. Thus, according to Theists, the pure in heart (saints) actually 'see' God as a living presence (see Theoria) and as agents of God may manifest supernatural events (see miracles).
Deism is a worldview which gained ascendence during the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century when leading philosophers and scientists such as Descartes and Newton proposed that the universe and the living organisms on Earth are machines following pre-existing laws of nature. Thus the universe was conceived as a giant clockwork mechanism in which God as an active, present, organizing entity is rendered superfluous. God created all things in the beginning and set them in motion but has no further creative role from that point on since the order that emerges in such a universe happens according to purely mechanical action. Such a philosophy renders ultimately any doctrine of special creation as also unecessary since the complexity of biological form can be explained as having also come about due to mechanical action.
Monotheism
Monotheism is the belief that there is only one deity. [6]
- Inclusive monotheism: The belief that there is only one deity, and that all other claimed deities are just different names for it. The Hindu denomination of Smartism is an example of inclusive monotheism.
- Exclusive monotheism: The belief that there is only one deity, and that all other claimed deities are distinct from it and false — either invented, demonic, or simply incorrect. Most Abrahamic religions, and most versions of the Hindu denomination of Vaishnavism, such as ISKCON which regard the worship of anyone other than Vishnu as incorrect are examples of exclusive monotheism.
Three religions are sometimes cited as the earliest known forms of monotheism still in practice today: Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and pre-Vedic Brahmanism,[citation needed] though originally all could have been described as henotheistic. Monotheism is sometimes sourced to the Egyptian religion of Atenism, which is no longer widely practiced.
Polytheism
While a specific definition of theism may exclude polytheism, it is included by the most general definition. Polytheism is the belief that there is more than one deity.[7] 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.
Within polytheism there are hard and soft varieties:
- Hard polytheism views the gods as being distinct and separate beings; an example of this would be ancient Greek Mythology.
- Soft polytheism views the gods as being subsumed into a greater whole. Most forms of Hinduism such as Smartism/Advaita Vedanta serve as examples of soft polytheism.
Polytheism is also divided according to how the individual deities are regarded:
- Henotheism: The viewpoint/belief that there may be more than one deity, but one is supreme.
- Kathenotheism: The viewpoint/belief that there is more than one deity, but only one deity is worshipped at a time or ever, and another may be worthy of worship at another time or place. If they are worshipped one at a time, then each is supreme in turn.
- Monolatrism: The belief that there may be more than one deity, but that only one is worthy of being worshipped.
Pantheism and Panentheism
While a specific definition of theism may exclude pantheism, it is included by the most general definition.
- Pantheism: The belief that the physical universe is equivalent to a God or Gods, and that there is no division between a Creator and the substance of its creation.[8] Examples include many forms of Saivism.
- Panentheism: Like Pantheism, the belief that the physical universe is joined to a God or Gods. However, it also believes that a God or Gods are greater than the material universe. Examples include most forms of Vaishnavism.
Some people find the distinction between these two beliefs as ambiguous and unhelpful, while others see it as a significant point of division.[9]
Deism
While the specific definition of theism given above may exclude deism, deism is included as a form of theism by the most general definition given above.
- Deism is the belief that at least one deity exists and created the world, but that the creator(s) does/do not alter the original plan for the universe.[10] Deism typically rejects supernatural events (such as prophecies, miracles, and divine revelations) prominent in organized religion. Instead, Deism holds that religious beliefs must be founded on human reason and observed features of the natural world, and that these sources reveal the existence of a supreme being as creator.[11]
Autotheism
While a specific definition of theism may exclude autotheism, it is included by the most general definition. Autotheism is the viewpoint that, whether divinity is also external or not, it is inherently within 'oneself' and that one's duty is to become perfect; divine. This can either be in a selfish, wilful, egotistical way or a selfless way following the implications of statements attributed to Jesus,[12][13] Buddha, and other ethical philosophy/religion founders.[which?]
Value-judgment theisms
- Eutheism is the viewpoint/belief that a deity(ies) is wholly benevolent; dystheism allows for there being evil in the divine realm.
See also
References
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition
- ^ "Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ See, for example,The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Second Edition; The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, 1997, or the current Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ^ John Orr (English Deism: Its Roots and Its Fruits, 1934) explains that before the seventeenth century theism and deism were interchangeable terms but during the course of the seventeenth century they gained separate and mutually exclusive meanings (see article Deism)
- ^ Halsey, William (1969). Louis Shores (ed.). Collier's Encyclopedia. Vol. 22 (20 ed.). Crowell-Collier Educational Corporation. pp. 266–267.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ AskOxford: monotheism
- ^ AskOxford: polytheism
- ^ Philosophical Dictionary: Pacifism-Particular
- ^ What is Panentheism?. About Agnosticism/Atheism. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
- ^ AskOxford: deism
- ^ Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language (G. & C. Merriam, 1924) defines deism as "belief in the existence of a personal God, with disbelief in Christian teaching, or with a purely rationalistic interpretation of Scripture".
- ^ Matthew 5:38 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect",
- ^ Luke 17:21 "The Kingdom of God is within you",
External links
