[mod. f. Gr. θε-ός god + -ISM. Cf. F. théisme (Voltaire).] a. gen. Belief in a deity, or deities, as opposed to atheism. b. Belief in one god, as opposed to polytheism or pantheism; = MONOTHEISM. c. Belief in the existence of God, with denial of revelation: = DEISM. d. esp. Belief in one God as crcator and supreme ruler of the universe, without denial of revelation: in this use distinguished from deism.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., Pref. Nor indeed out of a meer Partiall Regard to that Cause of Theism neither, which we were engaged in.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac. (1737), II. 209. I consider … that to be a settled Christian, it is necessary to be first of all a good theist. For theism can only be oppos’d to polytheism, or atheism.
a. 1774. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 323. We find the introduction of theism, that is, the doctrine of an intelligent Agent, the Author of nature,… claimed for Pythagoras.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. India, I. 163. The theism inculcated by the Védas … has been supplanted by a system of gross polytheism and idolatry.
1877. R. Flint, Theism, i. 18. Theism is the doctrine that the universe owes its existence, and continuance … to the reason and will of a self-existent Being…. It is the doctrine that nature has a Creator and Preserver.
1888. F. L. Patton, Syllabus Lect. Theism, 1 (Funk). Theism may be considered religiously [as embracing] polytheism, pantheism, monotheism (theism par excellence).
