Oneness and Monotheism: Book 2

By Kulwant Singh Boora

The concept and belief that God is one was an essential feature of Old Testament theology. In reviewing a number of passages the primary focus of this book to a large extent has been on Deuteronomy 6:4 (the Shema). Understanding what this meant in ancient Israel provides the clues to a deeper understanding in this present era. A number of materials, studies, documents and references have provided a body of knowledge that will grealy aide and assist any believer to better define, clarify and defend the long held belief, custom and practice that God is one. Other essential factors in this book discuss and to some extent contrast and compare the concept of monotheism and oneness to better explain conceptually how these build the structure and framework that supports the position that God is numerically one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 19, 2009
• ISBN: 9781449013394

Kulwant Singh Boora

The author was born in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom and is of Indian descent growing up in a Sikh family. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from Staffordshire University, England and also studied law at Sutton Coldfield College where he completed his Professional Diploma in Law and Higher Professional Diploma in Law in conjunction with the Institute of Legal Executives Tutorial College of Law; he went onto complete his Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE (Law Society of England and Wales Common Professional Examinations) with Hertfordshire University School of law, England. He studied theology and biblical interpretation with Kings Evangelical Divinity School and the University of Wales. Mr. Boora is also admitted as a Fellow and Legal Executive lawyer in the United Kingdom.

Book preview

© 2009 Kulwant Singh Boora. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 10/15/2009

ISBN: 978-1-4490-1338-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-1339-4 (e)

Foreword

It is refreshing and stimulating to see an intelligible and intellectual prospective on the concept of monotheism, and oneness in light of recent studies; this book has expanded the subject to much greater depths. It is evident that the author raises a number of questions that not only challenge an individual, but through this system of facing the challenges the author is able to argument a much stronger point of view that simply enforces the apostolic belief, tradition and practice. I am delighted to see this young man’s study and work.

I strongly encourage this up-coming young individual to continue in his endeavors, since the oneness of God is vitally important to the believer, which was practiced and preached by the Apostles. The whole study simply supports the biblical position that Jesus is the true eternal God. This book is the starting point of the scholarly discussions for oneness believers and should be the possession of any serious student in the Oneness Apostolic movement.

What is equally stimulating is that the author is one of the first, from what I know, Indian writers with a Sikh background, to write on the subjects of oneness and monotheism in the Apostolic movement, again, I applaud his hard work, dedication and commitment. I strongly believe given his unique background that God will use this young man greatly in these last days.

Dr. Willie J. Duncan

Deputy Director General of the International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England

Deputy Governor American Biographical Institute, North Carolina, USA

Speaker at the inaugural IBC World Forum held at Oxford University in 2006

Preface

The desire to know more about monotheism and oneness inspired this book to be written. As the fundamental doctrine of the early Church it is needful to consider its origin, practices and associated beliefs. More specifically, the need to define characteristically the components of this doctrine becomes paramount, given that it was the foundation of the Church as taught in the New Testament.

Many in the Apostolic movement have attempted to define monotheism and oneness, but with minimal success, simply because, it is a complex subject at times. As noted in this book, and in the author’s opinion, this study only touches the surface of the subject, as it becomes readily apparent that monotheism and oneness are subjects that require considerable devotion and commitment.

Given that biblical monotheism and oneness in the Old Testament are subjects that were pivotal in Israelite theology, God made it clear that any deviation would result in punishment and extreme judgment. As Christians it is needful, if not, compulsory to understand this subject in its entirety.

Grasping some of the fundamental principles, theories and concepts notably provides the believer with some form of conceptualization of the one God. This conceptualization then results in an understanding, which helps and assists the believer in comprehending why such a subject retained its authenticity and stamp of approval in the New Testament.

Capturing the heart of the spirit of monotheism and oneness bridges the gap as you walk through the Old Testament into the New. The New Testament then provides the fulfillment of the Old, thus a jigsaw puzzle that is completed by adding the pieces together. The picture that is painted results in one conclusion, and that is that Jesus is the one true eternal God.

It is envisaged that what you read in this book will at least, answer some of the questions that you may or may not have regarding the subject of monotheism and oneness. It will become obvious to the reader that the subject is vast and at times complex. Yet in all simplicity, it has been written to enable one to gain a greater understanding.

Kulwant Singh Boora

Author

Acknowledgments

I thank God the eternal Creator for all He has done in my life, and for giving me strength from day to day; without Him I would not be here.

To my mother and father who always believed in me, thank you. I also extend appreciation to my lovely brothers and sisters who reside in England.

To my lovely previous wife, Stephanie L. Boora and my precious son, Aidan Everett Boora, thank you for all your support, I could not have asked for a better family; you’re are a gift from God.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1.   Th e Purpose of this Study

2.   Introduction

3.   Biblical Monotheism

4.   The Shema

5.   Monotheism Debated

6.   Hebrew Word Echad Numerical One (1)

7.   New Testament Monotheism

Conclusion

Footnotes

Bibliography

1

The Purpose of this Study

The highly revered and renowned scholar Professor I Howard Marshall stated that: "We cannot avoid interpretation, and perhaps I should add that we cannot avoid misinterpretation. Hence our need is to find the right interpretation."¹ Of course this is a true statement worthy of all respect. Professor Marshall simply encourages any student of theology to understand that whatever text type one is reviewing it needs to be interpreted in order to be understood, and in so doing one conducts proper exegesis in the process.

The author adopted such a process in order to present his findings on the subject at hand, and through some length of study and research; it became evident that such a subject would require considerable devotion. The results of such findings are to an extent self-explanatory, in that, God is spiritually and numerically one; therefore, this book will explore what is meant by monotheism and oneness throughout.

Notably, monotheism is the concept of one God and is undoubtedly one of the greatest principles and commandments taught in the Old Testament, which is carried into the New. One passage of Scripture that is cited in support of this concept of monotheism is Deuteronomy 6:4, which in Hebrew is referred to as the Shema.²

This passage of Scripture has been the subject of continual debate. Debaters question whether it is a reference to one God in the numerical sense or a declaration of allegiance to one God within a covenantal setting or some other form of rendering. The marksmanship of monotheism must be judged and weighed in light of the criterion upon which it is based to address an adequate interpretation.

To that end, it is needful to accurately explain what is meant by monotheism, since such a term was non-existent in ancient civilizations. One then must turn to the conduct of human nature in response to the call of monotheism as the basis. Equally, one must also conceptually ascertain the exact meaning of oneness, and its criteria in order to adequately and sufficiently explain its relationship to the belief in one God.

If one suggests that they have a belief in monotheism, what criterion is used in order to assess its viability? If on the other hand, one believes in the concept of oneness as the basis of articulating their belief in one God then how do