What does autotheism or autotheist mean?

Definition and Etymology

Autotheism (from the Greek “auto” meaning “self,” and “theos” meaning “God”) refers to the notion of being “God of oneself” or “God in oneself.” An “autotheist,” in this sense, would denote one who ascribes the nature and attributes of deity to oneself or to any entity lacking the unique status of the Eternal Creator. Historically, certain theologians have also employed the term autotheos in reference to the self-existence of God—highlighting God as wholly independent and the ultimate source of His own being, encapsulated in the biblical statement “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

Scriptural Overview

Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, consistently affirms that only the one true God is self-existent and sovereign over creation. Genesis 1:1 begins, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” establishing God’s role as Creator. Jesus illustrates divine equality when He declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58), echoing the divine self-declaration of Exodus 3:14. In these passages, there is no indication that humans, angels, or any other beings hold self-existence; rather, they are contingent beings reliant on God’s sustaining power (Hebrews 1:3).

Historical and Theological Context

1. Early Church Stances. The early church fathers, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, fought against heretical teachings that promoted any form of autotheism or self-deification. Their writings underscore that Christ is God not by derivation from another source, but by virtue of His eternal nature as the divine Son who has always existed with the Father (John 1:1). Yet they differentiated Christ’s filiation from any concept implying a lesser status for the Son.

2. Medieval and Reformed Perspectives. In medieval theology, debates over Christ’s eternal generation spurred refined distinctions—particularly over whether the Son is God of Himself (autotheos) or whether this formula obscures the eternal relationship within the Trinity. Reformed theologians like John Calvin employed the term autotheos to emphasize Christ’s full deity and self-existence, standing in perfect unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Philosophical and Behavioral Implications

From a biblical and philosophical perspective, true worship is directed only toward the uncreated God, who alone is self-existent and self-sufficient (Psalm 90:2). Any claim of human autotheism contradicts both observable reality and Scripture, which teaches that humankind is finite, morally accountable, and dependent on God (Acts 17:28). When individuals or groups elevate themselves to a godlike status—whether through ideology, self-deception, or psychological states—Scripture identifies such actions as idolatry (Romans 1:25).

Behaviorally, a person claiming autotheism displays a fundamental misunderstanding of human limits and moral dependence. Rather than enlivening a healthy sense of significance, it risks fostering pride and rebellion. Biblically, this was the root of the Fall (Genesis 3:5–6) and remains a source of continued spiritual conflict.

Trinitarian Considerations

1. God’s Self-Existence. Trinitarian doctrine underscores that God is one in essence and three in person—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal and co-equal. Each Person fully possesses the divine nature, and thus each is legitimately called God. This eternal Being is self-existent, meaning God’s existence is not contingent on anything outside Himself.

2. Autotheos in Christology. Christ’s eternal deity entails that He does not derive His divine nature from any external source. John 1:1 affirms, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Despite differing theological nuances on whether autotheos strictly applies to the Son, historic orthodoxy holds that Christ is fully God— consistent with being the one eternal Creator who alone can save.

Possible Misuse and Heretical Views

1. Self-Deification Claims. Throughout history, some religious movements or charismatic leaders have asserted a form of self-deification, labeling themselves “God.” These movements diverge sharply from Scripture. Passages such as Isaiah 45:5, “I am the LORD, and there is no other,” demonstrate an exclusive claim of deity applied only to the God of the Bible.

2. Pantheistic or New Age Variants. Certain New Age or pantheistic beliefs can blur the Creator-creation distinction and suggest that individuals collectively share in a divine essence in a manner that effectively endorses autotheism. This runs contrary to the biblical worldview, which asserts that people bear God’s image (Genesis 1:26) but are not gods in themselves.

Archaeological and Manuscript Support

Archaeological discoveries have repeatedly confirmed historical details found in the biblical records, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the Scriptures that consistently present God as the one true God. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947 near the Qumran Community, include manuscripts of the Hebrew Scriptures that align almost identically with later Masoretic texts. This consistency highlights the accurate transmission of verses affirming God’s unique deity and the rejection of any form of human autotheism.

New Testament manuscripts, such as the early papyri housed in various museums and libraries, provide a robust foundation for the claim that the earliest Christians preached the exclusive deity of God and the resurrection of Christ, never attributing self-existence to mere mortals. This strengthens our confidence that the Bible’s teachings regarding divine self-existence and condemnation of self-deification are original to the apostolic tradition.

Practical Implications and Summary

1. Worship. Reserved for the one true God who alone is worthy of honor, praise, and devotion (Revelation 4:11).

2. Humility. Recognizing that we are contingent beings fosters humility (James 4:6).

3. Salvation. The self-existent Christ, who died and rose again, offers salvation exclusively through faith in Him (John 14:6).

4. Guarding Against Heresy. Awarness of autotheistic error helps believers maintain sound doctrine, avoiding modern or ancient forms of self-deification or pitting the Son against the Father in a way that undermines the Trinity.

In sum, “autotheism” or “autotheist” involves a notion that a being is God in and of itself. Scripturally and historically, such a view is reserved solely for the triune God revealed in the Bible, who alone is self-existent and sovereign. Humans, as created and dependent beings, cannot fulfill the criteria of autotheism. The consistent teaching of Scripture remains that all glory and worship belong to the one true God who has revealed Himself in creation, in the person of Jesus Christ, and through the inspired Word.