Throughout the patristic and medieval periods, Christian theologians taught that God is the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being in Christianity and other monotheistic religions; in certain other religions, a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity being the perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness, who is revered in religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism as creator and ruler of the universe.