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[Audify]

I often see atheists claim that Judaism adopted a Canaanite God, and that early Jews didn’t worship only just one God and gradually transitioned to monotheism. Is there truth to these claims?

[jimwalton]

Some scholars have surmised and posited that the Judaism/Christian God was adopted from Canaanite culture, but those conclusions are on the basis of similarities. Similarities don't guarantee derivation, however. Just because it is similar doesn't mean it came from that. Plenty of scholars show that we just don't have enough information to draw the solid conclusion that Yahwism derived from Canaanite culture. It only shows us that Yahwism is part of a cultural context. There is no definitive evidence of monotheism's origins. It is less clear and more complicated than often assumed. Largely the claim on this forum comes from atheists trying to deprecate Judaism and Christianity when there isn't enough evidence to make their case. We can talk about it more if you wish.