MythicBrahman, the abstract absolute that replaced personal God
UBSalem monotheism, rejected and abstracted
Salem monotheism, rejected and abstracted = Brahman, the abstract absolute that replaced personal God
The Connection
The UB explains that India received Salem missionaries who taught the one God of Melchizedek, but the Brahman priests rejected the personal God concept in favor of an abstract, impersonal absolute. Brahman became "the it" rather than "the He." This abstraction was a philosophical retreat from the Salem teaching of a personal, approachable Father.
UB Citation
Academic Source
Dasgupta, A History of Indian Philosophy (1922); Radhakrishnan, Indian Philosophy (1923)
Historical Evidence(Moderate evidence)
The UB states that the Brahman concept resulted from Indian thinkers struggling with Salem monotheism: "the Brahmans seized upon the impersonal It of the developing Trinity doctrine." The historical progression from Vedic personal gods (Indra, Agni, Varuna) to the abstract Brahman of the Upanishads is well-documented in Indian philosophy. Surendranath Dasgupta traces this philosophical evolution from personal deity worship to monistic abstraction across several centuries.