Two Gods in Heaven

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Peter Schäfer examines the prevalent belief that Judaism was strictly monotheistic from its inception. The Hebrew Bible repeatedly emphasizes the existence of one God, yet its diverse texts reveal elements that challenge this strong monotheistic view. Ancient Canaanite deities like Baal and El, though marginalized, persist within the narrative, notably in the "Son of Man" figure in Daniel 7. Schäfer posits that monotheism was an ideal in ancient Judaism, consistently pursued but never fully realized. Through detailed textual analysis of the Bible and key post-biblical sources, he traces the history of a subordinate God alongside YHWH. Contrary to expectations that early Christianity's adoption of this concept—embodied in Jesus Christ—would lead Judaism to reject it, the reverse occurred. Certain post-biblical Jewish groups, especially early mystical circles, not only retained this notion but revitalized it through the figure of "Metatron." This archangel remains a contentious topic, with debates surrounding his existence among the rabbis of the Babylonian Talmud. Originally published in Germany in 2016, this work invites a reevaluation of the complexities within ancient Jewish theology.