An Help for the Ignorant, WSC Question 5

QUEST. 5. Are there more gods than one?

ANSW. There is but one only, the living and true God.

Q. Whence do you prove that there is but one God?

A. From reason and from scripture.

Q. How doth reason prove that there is but one God?

A. It shows, that if there were more gods than one, God could not be independent, infinite, almighty, etc. and so not God at all.

Q. Why might not God be independent, though there were more gods than one?

A. Because if there were more gods than one, each behoved to depend on, and be bounded by the will of another.

Q. Why might not God be infinite, though there were more gods than one?

A. Because one infinite being, possessing all divine perfections, sets limits to the perfection of every other being, and excludes them from the possession of divine perfections.

Q. Why might not God be almighty, though there were more gods thanone?

A. Because each could oppose and hinder the designs of another.

Q. Could the world be governed, if there were more gods than one?

A. No; for all things would be directed to different and opposite ends [purposes] at once.

Q. Why may there not be three gods, as well as three persons in the Godhead?

A. Because three gods could not be one and the same in substance, as the three divine persons are.

Q. How does the scripture prove there is but one God?

A. It expressly affirms , the Lord our God is one Lord; and there is no other God but one, Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4.

Q. Are there not others, beside the true God, called gods in scripture?

A. Yes; angels, magistrates, idols, men’s belly, and the devil, are so called.

Q. Why are angels called gods?

A. Because they are most like God in spirituality, wisdom, and power.

Q. Why are magistrates called gods?

A. Because , as God’s deputies, they rule over others .

Q. Why are Heathen idols called gods?

A. Because blinded sinners worship and honour them as gods.

Q. Why is men’s belly called a god?

A. Because many are chiefly careful to satisfy and please it.

Q. Why is the devil called the god of this world?

A. Because he rules over, and is honoured and worshipped as a god by the most part of mankind.

Q. Is not God sufficiently distinguished from these gods?

A. Yes; for he is the only living and true God.

Q. Why is he called the living God?

A. Because he has life in himself, and gives to others whatever life they have, natural, spiritual, or eternal.

Q. From whom doth this character, living God, especially distinguish him?

A. From dead idols.

Q. Why is he called the true God?

A. Because he is possessed of all perfections in an infinite degree; which distinguishes him from all others who are called gods.