Egyptian Monotheism
In his book, One True God: Historical Consequences of Monotheism, Rodney Stark reviews the history of monotheistic religions. “Monotheism” is the belief in one God. We normally think of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as monotheistic religions. Dr. Stark suggests that the “origin” of monotheism may be in Egypt.
A pharaoh, by the name of Amenhotep (the “IV”), came to the throne of Egypt. He reigned for about two decades in the 1300s B.C. He is the father of the famous King Tut – according to DNA studies from 2010. His queen is the famous Nefertiti. Amenhotep proclaimed Aten to be the One God and he tried to lead Egypt into a monotheistic faith.
Under Amenhotep’s guidance, Egyptians considered Aten to be a conscious god, omnipotent, and a caring creator. He was also omnipresent and regulated the affairs of the world. Having established Aten as the one true god, Amenhotep changed his name to Akhenaten. The Egyptians were supposed to worship Aten exclusively; Akhenaten cut off financial support from the government for other gods and denounced their worship. Monotheism did not remain long in Egypt as, upon his death, the Egyptians resorted to their paganism.
Some, notably Sigmund Freud, believed Egypt’s monotheism is what influenced Israel to become monotheistic. Stark rejects that but does say, “The origins of monotheism are buried along the misty frontiers of history. …Just where true monotheism first arose remains unknown” (31, 32). Unfortunately, Stark accepts the liberal scholars’ view of the dating of the biblical books, chronology, and the exodus. Otherwise, he would know the origin of monotheism.
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The dates of Genesis and the exodus are shrouded in mystery to a large degree. Yet, there is enough evidence to give a fairly accurate picture of what transpired back in the days of Joseph, Moses, and the conquest of Canaan. Conservative scholars R. K. Harrison, in his Introduction to the Old Testament and William LaSor et al., in Old Testament Survey puts Moses and the exodus around the 1300s. That would suggest that Joseph, going down into Egypt, serving as their Prime Minister, and saving that country from a severe famine, served in that position perhaps prior to Akhenaten serving as pharaoh.
What all of that points to is my idea that Akhenaten’s effort at monotheism may have been influenced by Joseph and his religion – worship of Jehovah God, the God of Heaven and Earth. It was Judaism that influenced Egyptian monotheism; not the other way around. Akhenaten perhaps saw that Joseph’s God brought true blessings and prosperity. While he did not give himself to worship of Jehovah, he did try to limit his people’s worship to only one God.
The point of fact, however, is that God did not leave mankind without witness to His power and glory. Egypt had ample opportunity to return to God. It is in God’s nature that He does not take joy in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11) but has always desired that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).
–Paul Holland
