VIII THE EVOLUTION OF THEOLOGY 349 



origin, who have been raised to eminence by the 

 superiority in warfare, or otherwise, of their wor- 

 shippers. 



Among certain nations, the polytheistic theology, 

 thus constituted, has become modified by the 

 selection of some one cosmic or tribal god, as the 

 only god to whom worship is due on the part of 

 that nation (though it is by no means denied that 

 other nations have a right to worship other gods), 

 and thus results a worship of one God monolatry, 

 as Wellhausen calls it which is very different 

 from genuine monotheism. 1 In ancestral scio- 

 theism, and in this monolatry, the ethical code, 

 often of a very high order, comes into closer 

 relation with the theological creed. Morality is 

 taken under the patronage of the god or gods, who 

 reward all morally good conduct and punish all 

 morally evil conduct in this world or the next. At 

 the same time, however, they are conceived to be 

 thoroughly human, and they visit any shadow of 

 disrespect to themselves, shown by disobedience to 

 their commands, or by delay, or carelessness, in 

 carrying them out, as severely as any breach of 

 the moral laws. Piety means minute attention to 

 the due performance of all sacred rites, and covers 

 any number of lapses in morality, just as cruelty, 

 treachery, murder, and adultery did not bar David's 

 claim to the title of the man after God's own 



[ T The Assyrians thus raised Assur to a position of pre- 

 eminence.] 



