The First Enlightenment of Monotheism - Coursework Example

Name: Tutor: Task: Date: Introduction Monotheism refers to human belief in the existence of a single god (Cline 1). As a result of this belief, it is normal for many practicing it to think that in the same way that the same god created everything and he is as well self-sufficient-not having any sort of dependency on any other being. This belief is what is common among the largest monotheistic religious systems such a Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. It is therefore a characteristic of Abrahamic religions, though also present in Vishishtadvaita, Neoplatonism as well as Advaita values of Hinduism and Sikhism. According to (Cline 1), the origin of this belief is not well known, although it can be traced back to the 14th century when Egypt’s Akhenaton was still ruling. This particular paper seeks to provide a comparison between Moses and Akhenaton in terms of their actions that proved their Monotheism practice. Furthermore the paper will evaluate their messages and legacies. Lastly, the paper seeks to provide both historical and archeological evidences of their existence that prove their monotheism. The basic question therefore remains, since there is no evidence of Abraham’s existence outside the Bible, who between Moses and Akhenaton presented true monotheism? Brief background of which Moses and Akhenaton were Akhenaton was an Egyptian ruler born of king Amenhotep III and Tiy (Chief Queen).He reigned over Egypt during the years 1379 and 1362 BC and was formerly identified as Amenhotepr IV. He is famously known to have introduced monotheism practice in Egypt and often accredited with discovering this religious practice. On the other hand, Moses was an Israelite belonging to the Levi tribe which was among Israel’s 12 tribes. Moses grew up within the Egyptian traditions (Acts 7:22).He was therefore educated and having tremendous wisdom as well as endowed with eloquent speech and action. He was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land and therefore served as a leader, an intermediary and a messenger of God. What each of them was calling for- that indicated monotheism Akhenaton is especially renowned for ditching Egyptians’ traditions mainly known to practice polytheism. He therefore introduced worship that focused mainly on Aten. Akhenaton did this by attempting to create a departure from the customary traditional religion, which was eventually not accepted. According to (Sangraal Library 1),Akhenaton helped establish his empire by giving it a different spiritual focus by shocking Egyptians civilization through his declaration of Aton as the only god who was to be worshipped describing him (Aton) as the only single as well as exclusive divinity. He had in this case committed what many Egyptians understood well as usurping the reign of Osiris while at the same time declaring war on several other gods of Egypt creating in a religious revolution. Akhenaton for instance, banned the worship of the god, Amon as well as going further declaring the temples where Amon was worshipped closed. Other than these, Akhenaton banned the worship of other Egyptian gods such as Ptah, Horus, Mut, Khonsu and Isis and declared all the complex divine processes that were practiced over a long period of Egyptian civilization as unreal and for this reason banned them. He thereafter declared that there was only a single God, who was Aton and stated as well that any reference to other gods, or even plural of god be removed from all structures in Egypt and in one instance, not even the hidden name ”Amon” was allowed to stay (Sangraal Library 1) All these revealed his strong belief in the practice of monotheism. His extent of rejecting polytheism astonished many Egyptian due to the fact that he replaced the plural gods with a monotheistic god from laws and even proclamations. He is however did not prohibit the worshipping of other gods. For instance, he predominantly banned Amun and the religious group of Amun-Ra due to the fact that he was the later chief of all the other gods, a position Akhenaton alleged Aten filled. Aten, previously among hundred of the Egyptian gods, was now the only god to be worshipped. However, there are several cases as (Dunn 1) claims where certain Egyptologists suggested that Akhenaton associated his own father to Aten. Others also implied that, rather than genuine monotheism, the religious group of Aten was more of henotheism where there were several deities though Aten was being elevated than the others. On the other hand, the Holy Bible portrays Moses has a man of faith who served the Lord and his people as well as an example who was committed to serving the Lord. Deuteronomy 4:32-40 suggests the significant role Moses played towards developing the practice of monotheism during his time as a leader of the Israelites. This implies that as a man who was faithfully serving the lord, Moses prohibited the Israelites from worshipping other gods proclaiming that other gods other than what he worshipped existed. He therefore declared the doctrines of monotheism. Moses is also revealed in Deuteronomy 4:32-35 as well as 39 telling the Israelites that all the experiences of Exodus and Mount Sinai are an indication that there are no other gods but their Lord. The main features of their Moses and Akhenaton messages and legacy that indicated monotheism As soon as Akhenaton took over power in Egypt, he immediately started encouraging the worship of Aton, a sun god with whom he considered the major source of blessing. He even replaced the long established falcon image used as god’s symbol with the sun disk screening the sun rays going down and ending in hands reaching to the king and his immediate family (Liepmannsohn 1). He changed his name to Akhenaton meaning one useful to Aton and thereafter changed his capital from Thebes to what is currently known as Tell el-Amarna in order to escape already established religious powers and create a new religious revolution from his new capital. He evoked the older authority which had majorly diverted the focus on bureaucracy on assuming power and focused on his new religion excluding the state affairs. This led to the collapse of the former Egypt’s Asian empire that majorly believed in the practice of polytheism. Akhenaton dramatically altered the Egyptian religion by coming up with a new iconography as well as the concept of monotheism.Akhenaten was therefore viewed as a mysterious pharaoh of prehistoric Egypt viewed by some as a religious visionary as well as a forerunner of the many great prophets of Christianity, Islam and Judaism (Liepmannsohn 1). Alternatively, the book of Exodus portrays Moses as a brave or heroic man of God. He had the authority, the authority that was derived only from God. His roles in his various experiences with God showed God’s mighty works and which did not only inspired obedience to him as a brave and chosen leader of the Israelites, but even to God. The events of Mount Sinai, for example, involved Moses and the Israelites in unique relationship with their God. Exodus 19:9, for instance establishes Moses’ authority to represent his people before God as well as expect a response. Exodus 20.18-20 confirms that Moses authority made possible God’s fear upon the eyes of the Israelites. Moses position was therefore one that enabled the Israelites to fear the Lord. According to (Coats 165), Moses stand in fear as well as his relationship with God backed his practice of monotheism. Moses had a more positive, long-term legacy. His legacy is portrayed through his fulfillment of God’s calling upon his life, with God using Moses to make an everlasting, positive impact on the Israelites. He therefore enjoyed unbelievable closeness with God and succeeded in leading the Israelites out of Egypt through the desert up to the edge of Canaan (Harding 1). There actions towards monotheism Akhenaton’s actions towards monotheism were revealed in a number of ways. The first instance was by repackaging polytheism, a common religious practice among the Egyptians. To start his new religion he changed the priesthood as well as the places of worship. He made himself the high priest, and therefore he had the religious authority. He even went further changing his name to Aten meaning, “One who is serving Aten”; in order to put across his new practice of monotheism (Reformed Polytheism 3). Apart from repackaging polytheism in Egypt, Akhenaton banished all the competing gods. This was an indication that he was ready to take action and making sure that monotheism becomes the dominant religion. He tore several temples of the other gods destroying all the publicly exhibited portraits from the official buildings and other statues. His last action towards monotheism is seen from the time he immediately took power in Egypt declaring that only a single god, Aten was to be worshipped and 733 other gods be abandoned (Reformed Polytheism 3). The Bible portrays Moses as a man of faith who served God’s people as their chosen leader. His actions towards monotheism are revealed through his actions of obedience towards God’s instructions especially on how God wanted the Israelites to be. Exodus 32:19 reveals Moses anger when he broke the stone tablet containing the laws given to him by God when he realized the Israelites had turned to worshipping the idols. Even after these events, Moses went back to God asking him to forgive his people. He therefore in most cases intervened before God for the Israelites for their sins and when he did, he also reminded God of all His promises to the Israelites which was even a covenant made with Abraham. Historical and archeological evidence of their existence that indicated monotheism Akhenaton’s declaration of the practice of monotheism during his reign in Egypt is regarded as initial real push to bring monotheism in the history of Egypt. His reign however, ended badly. According to the (UFO Reality 1), most of Akhenaton’s constructions, public images and other works were destroyed with only remnants existing. (Dunn 1) however claims there is an evidence of Akhenaton statue currently found within the Egyptian Museum. On the other hand, as said by (Borscheim 1), the Biblical chronology claims Moses had lived for a while in either the 13th or 14th BC. (Borscheim 1) claims that there are completely no historical evidences supporting Moses existence since there are also no any inscriptions on stone, clay tablets, bones or any revelations of place names, other than what is found in the Bible. Moses was even by far younger than any well acknowledged Egyptian rulers whose monuments, sculptures, pictures as well as abundance of inscriptions. All these asserts that Moses’ evidence of monotheism practice were only evident through his relationship with God and God’s people of Israel whom he was chosen to lead them to their promised land of Canaan, a covenant with Abraham. From the above analysis of Akhenaton and Moses’ practice of monotheism, Akhenaton’s extent of abandoning polytheism looks in point of fact, shocking due to the fact that he replaced the plural gods with a monotheistic god from laws and even proclamations. Akhenaton did not however ban the worshipping of other gods. For instance, he predominantly banned Amun and the religious group of Amun-Ra due to the fact that he was the later chief of all the other gods, a position Akhenaton alleged Aten filled. In other instances as (Dunn 1) claims, some Egyptologists suggested that Akhenaton associated his own father to Aten. Others also implied that, rather than genuine monotheism, the religious group of Aten was more of henotheism such that one god was more elevated. Aten who was previously among hundred of the Egyptian gods, was now the only god to be worshipped. On the other hand, Moses actions as revealed through the analysis indicates a man who served one God who had even chosen him to lead his people to the covenant land he had promised Abraham. Moses’ monotheistic nature is revealed through many instances of his action of obedience to every God’s calling. Conclusion From the above analysis, it is clear that both Moses and Akhenaton practiced monotheism. However, it can be argued out that Moses presented a true monotheist. This is clearly portrayed through his loyalty to serving a single God as well as his actions of obedience to every command from God especially to the Israelites until his death. On the other hand, Akhenaton is introduced as to have gone through the practice of polytheism and later on adopted the practice of monotheism once he took over the reign of Egypt. In some instances again, there are claims of a practice of henotheism. The fact that he did not ban all the other gods, in actual sense questioned his practice of true commitment towards monotheism. Reference Borscheim, R.Background of the Old Testament, Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.bandoli.no/historyofchristianity.htm, 2005. Cline, A, 2010, What is Monotheism? Belief in a Single, All-Powerful God, Retrieved on November 18 from http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/religion/blrel_theism_mono.htm, 2010. Coats, G.W.Moses: Heroic Man, Man of God: Volume 57 of Journal for the study of the Old Testament: Supplement series, Continuum International Publishing Group, 1988 165-169 Dunn, J.Aten before and after Akhenaton, Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/aten.htm, 1996. Good News Bible, HarperCollins Publishers, 2004. Harding, L.Moses: An Ancient Leader for Modern Times, Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.opentheword.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61:moses-an-ancient-leader-for-modern-times&catid=34:leadership&Itemid=129, 2006. Liepmannsohn, H.Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaton, Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.encyclomedia.com/akhenaten.html, 2007. Marcell, R.Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaton: The World's First Monotheist? Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.suite101.com/content/the-pharaoh-akhenaten-a102059, 2009. Reformed Polytheism: Muhammad & Pharaoh Akhenaton, Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.journeytojesus.com/ReformedPolytheism.pdf , (1) 1-7 Sangraal Library. Akhenaton-Akhenaton and the Myth of Monotheism, Vincent Bridges, Retrieved on November 18 from http://www.sangraal.com/Akhenaten.htm, 1998. UFO Reality. The Alien Pharaoh, Retrieved on November 18 from http://ufor.blogspot.com/2007/08/alien-pharaoh.html, 2007. Read More

According to (Sangraal Library 1),Akhenaton helped establish his empire by giving it a different spiritual focus by shocking Egyptians civilization through his declaration of Aton as the only god who was to be worshipped describing him (Aton) as the only single as well as exclusive divinity. He had in this case committed what many Egyptians understood well as usurping the reign of Osiris while at the same time declaring war on several other gods of Egypt creating in a religious revolution. Akhenaton for instance, banned the worship of the god, Amon as well as going further declaring the temples where Amon was worshipped closed.

Other than these, Akhenaton banned the worship of other Egyptian gods such as Ptah, Horus, Mut, Khonsu and Isis and declared all the complex divine processes that were practiced over a long period of Egyptian civilization as unreal and for this reason banned them. He thereafter declared that there was only a single God, who was Aton and stated as well that any reference to other gods, or even plural of god be removed from all structures in Egypt and in one instance, not even the hidden name ”Amon” was allowed to stay (Sangraal Library 1) All these revealed his strong belief in the practice of monotheism.

His extent of rejecting polytheism astonished many Egyptian due to the fact that he replaced the plural gods with a monotheistic god from laws and even proclamations. He is however did not prohibit the worshipping of other gods. For instance, he predominantly banned Amun and the religious group of Amun-Ra due to the fact that he was the later chief of all the other gods, a position Akhenaton alleged Aten filled. Aten, previously among hundred of the Egyptian gods, was now the only god to be worshipped.

However, there are several cases as (Dunn 1) claims where certain Egyptologists suggested that Akhenaton associated his own father to Aten. Others also implied that, rather than genuine monotheism, the religious group of Aten was more of henotheism where there were several deities though Aten was being elevated than the others. On the other hand, the Holy Bible portrays Moses has a man of faith who served the Lord and his people as well as an example who was committed to serving the Lord.

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