Data Over Dogma

Episode 59: The End(s) of Monotheism W/ David Burnett

May 20, 2024

Academic David Burnett discusses challenging the idea of ancient southwest Asia monotheism at Brown University conference. They explore the evolution of monotheism, translation challenges, and the concept of hypostasis in Christological debates. The podcast delves into the complexities of defining monotheism in ancient contexts and reevaluating traditional views on deity identities.

01:07:11

Episode guests

David Burnett

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Ancient monotheism may not have been as clear-cut as believed, challenging traditional perceptions of religious history.

Monotheism functioned as a tool for early Christians to assert superiority and distinctiveness in response to external influences.

Monotheism has been manipulated throughout history to serve political, ideological, and cultural agendas, shaping religious identities.

Deep dives

Monotheism in Ancient Times

Scholars from a podcast discuss the concept of monotheism in ancient times, exploring the idea that monotheism was not a revolutionary departure from polytheism but rather an incremental elaboration on existing beliefs, challenging the notion of a definitive monotheistic threshold in history.

Introduction

2min

Rethinking Monotheism in Antiquity

15min

Exploring Contrasting Views on Cosmic Gods in Early Jewish Literature

5min

Exploration of Final Judgment and Monotheism in Ancient Contexts

5min

Exploring Monotheism and Translation Challenges

13min

Evolution of Hypostasis in Monotheistic Debates

23min

Exploring Monotheism, Exceptionalism, and Divine Multiplicity in Religion

3min

They said they were going to do it, and doggonit, it got did! This week David Burnett makes his triumphal return to Data Over Dogma to discuss the recent academic conference on monotheism that he, Dan McClellan and others organized at Brown University. And if that sounds boring or dry to you, hold onto your butt, because—fire in the hole!—they were dropping bombs!

The whole goal of this conference was to challenge any notion that the people of ancient southwest Asia (meaning the people who wrote the Bible) were monotheists in any meaningful way. Christian and Jewish people today may only believe in a single God, but the same probably couldn't be said for the people who wrote their scriptures.

David and Dan will report on papers from some heavy-hitter scholars that discuss this incendiary topic, and honestly they might just blow your mind. Unless you're a regular Data Over Dogma listener. Then, they might just be super interesting.

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