How many gods are there?
How Many Gods Are There?
The question of how many gods exist is central to understanding the nature of truth and reality. It is a question that has been answered differently by various worldviews throughout history. However, the Bible provides a definitive and unambiguous answer: there is only one true God. This God is the Creator, Sustainer, and sovereign Lord over all creation. All other so-called gods are false, existing only in the imaginations of people or as manifestations of demonic deception. Let us explore this question from a biblical and theological perspective.
The Bible's Affirmation of One True God
Scripture is unequivocal in its declaration that there is only one true God. In Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the Shema, Moses declares, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” (NKJV). This foundational statement underscores the singularity and exclusivity of God. Similarly, Isaiah 43:10 states, “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me” (NKJV). These verses affirm that there is no other God before or after the Lord.
Isaiah continues this theme in Isaiah 44:6, where God says, “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God’” (NKJV). These statements leave no room for polytheism or the existence of competing deities.
Monotheism and the Triune God
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the three major monotheistic religions that affirm the existence of one God. However, Christianity stands apart in its understanding of God’s nature as triune. The Bible reveals that the one God exists eternally as three co-equal, co-eternal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This doctrine of the Trinity does not imply three gods but one God in three Persons who share the same divine essence.
God the Father: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7, NKJV).
God the Son: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, NKJV).
God the Holy Spirit: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ... You have not lied to men but to God’” (Acts 5:3–4, NKJV).
This triune nature is evident in key moments of biblical history, such as Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:16–17, where the Father speaks from heaven, the Spirit descends as a dove, and the Son is baptized. The Trinity reflects the relational and loving nature of the one true God.
False Gods and Idolatry
The Bible acknowledges the existence of many so-called gods but categorically denies their divinity. In 1 Corinthians 8:4, Paul writes, “Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one” (NKJV). False gods are often the product of human imagination or demonic influence. Deuteronomy 32:17 declares, “They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear” (NKJV).
The worship of false gods, whether through idolatry or pagan rituals, leads people away from the truth. Psalm 96:5 proclaims, “For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens” (NKJV). The futility of idolatry is vividly described in Isaiah 44:9–10, where idols are shown to be powerless and worthless.
Worldview Contrasts
Polytheism
Polytheism, the belief in many gods, is found in Hinduism, Shintoism, and various pagan traditions. For example, Hinduism teaches that there are millions of gods, each representing different aspects of existence. However, polytheistic systems lack a coherent view of ultimate reality, as their gods are often finite, limited, and fallible.Pantheism
Pantheism equates God with the universe itself, as seen in many New Age and Eastern religions. This belief denies the personal nature of God and reduces Him to an impersonal force. In contrast, the Bible presents God as personal and distinct from His creation (Psalm 99:3; John 4:24).Atheism
Atheism denies the existence of any gods or spiritual realities, claiming that the universe is purely material. This worldview is inherently self-defeating, as it cannot account for the origin of matter, life, or morality. Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good” (NKJV).Monotheism
Biblical monotheism affirms the existence of one eternal, sovereign, and holy God. While other monotheistic religions like Judaism and Islam acknowledge one God, they reject the Trinitarian nature of God. In rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord, they fail to recognize the fullness of God’s revelation (1 John 2:23).
God’s Worthiness of Worship
The one true God alone is worthy of worship, honor, and glory. Revelation 5:12 declares, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (NKJV). God’s attributes—His holiness, justice, love, and mercy—set Him apart from all false gods. He is the sovereign Creator (Isaiah 42:5), the eternal King (Psalm 90:2), and the Redeemer of His people (Titus 2:14).
God as the Source of All Truth
The one true God is not only the Creator of all things but the ultimate source of truth itself. Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (NKJV). This declaration identifies God as the ultimate reality and the standard by which all claims of truth are measured. Unlike false gods, who offer shifting and inconsistent promises, the one true God provides an unchanging foundation for understanding the world, morality, and human purpose.
This attribute has profound implications for apologetics and evangelism. Acknowledging God as the source of truth equips believers to address relativism and skepticism with confidence, demonstrating that only through Him can humanity find coherence and meaning in existence.
God’s Relational Nature
The one true God reveals Himself as deeply relational, a concept that distinguishes Him from the impersonal deities of many other religions. His relational nature is evident in His interactions with humanity, such as His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3), His intimate relationship with Moses (Exodus 33:11), and His sacrificial love demonstrated in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8).
The Trinity further emphasizes this relational aspect. Within the Godhead, there is perfect love, unity, and communication among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This eternal relationship within the Trinity serves as the ultimate model for human relationships, especially in marriage, the family, and the church. It underscores that humans are created not only to worship God but to live in loving fellowship with Him and others.
God as the Judge of All Nations
The one true God is not only the Savior but also the righteous Judge. Psalm 96:10 proclaims, “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously’” (NKJV). This aspect of God’s nature emphasizes His moral authority over all creation. Unlike false gods, who are often depicted as arbitrary or morally flawed, the one true God is perfectly just and impartial.
The reality of God's judgment carries both a warning and a hope. For the unrepentant, it is a sobering reminder of accountability. For believers, it is a source of hope, as God will one day bring justice to the world, vindicating the righteous and punishing evil (Revelation 20:11–15).
God’s Mission Through His People
The one true God does not act in isolation but accomplishes His purposes through His people. From Israel in the Old Testament to the church in the New Testament, God calls His followers to be a light to the nations. Isaiah 49:6 declares, “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth” (NKJV).
This missional aspect of God’s character reflects His desire for all humanity to come to know Him. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20 commands believers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (NKJV). The one true God’s universal mission contrasts sharply with the localized and tribal focus of many false gods.
The Worship of God as a Transformative Act
True worship of the one true God is not merely ritualistic; it is transformative. Romans 12:1–2 exhorts believers, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (NKJV). Worship aligns believers with God’s purposes, reshaping their values, priorities, and character to reflect His holiness.
This transformative power highlights the inadequacy of worshiping false gods, which cannot sanctify or redeem. The one true God alone empowers His people through His Spirit to live lives that glorify Him and bear eternal fruit.
God’s Role in History
The one true God actively governs the course of history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. Acts 17:26–27 teaches, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (NKJV).
History is not random or chaotic; it is under the sovereign control of the one true God, who orchestrates events to reveal His glory and accomplish His will. This truth provides believers with confidence and peace, knowing that even in the midst of turmoil, God’s purposes will prevail.
God’s Name as His Revelation
The names of the one true God in Scripture reveal His character and attributes. For example:
YHWH (LORD): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existence and faithfulness (Exodus 3:14).
El Shaddai (God Almighty): Highlighting His power and sovereignty (Genesis 17:1).
Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Will Provide): Demonstrating His provision for His people (Genesis 22:14).
These names are not merely titles but declarations of who God is, inviting believers to trust in His promises and character.
Conclusion
There is only one true God, the sovereign Lord of all creation, revealed in Scripture as the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All other gods are false and powerless, products of human imagination or demonic deception. As Isaiah 45:5 declares, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me” (NKJV). Recognizing and worshiping the one true God is not just a matter of belief but the foundation of life, truth, and salvation. To Him alone belongs all glory and honor, now and forevermore.
