It seems a little disrespectful for Christians to refer to their god as "God". That is the equivalent of me naming my dog "Dog". In just about every other religion, the deity has a name. I know that "Yahweh" is frequently used, but the majority seem to just use "God"...why?
Not really a debate topic, just a question I had.
Why doesn't the Christian god have a real name?
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stonedbesidethemortician
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dianaiad
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Post #2
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OnceConvinced
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Post #3
Because they see their god as the one and only god. All other gods are deemed to be false. So yes, it is quite disrespectful to other gods and religions. I would be worried about the wrath of Allah if I were them.
Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.
Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.
There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.
Check out my website: Recker's World
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stonedbesidethemortician
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Why did you move this to Random Ramblings? How is this a pointless post, a "rave n rant", or an obscure opinion?dianaiad wrote: Moderator Action
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Danmark
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stonedbesidethemortician wrote:Why did you move this to Random Ramblings? How is this a pointless post, a "rave n rant", or an obscure opinion?dianaiad wrote: Moderator Action
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Elijah John
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Post #6
Nonetheless, I think the question has merit.
I can think of two responses...the first is that Christians are following suit with the Rabbinic prohibition against using the Name.
Secondly, by making the designation for the Father generic, as opposed to a proper Name, it makes it easier for Christians to conflate Jesus with God.
Isaiah identifies YHVH alone as God...so therefore Jesus, no human for that matter, can be God.
The Evangelist John makes a feeble attempt to equate the two with his I AM statements, attributed to Jesus...but still.
But to remove the name of God, YHVH, from the equation, Christians have an easier time to proclaim that Jesus is God.
That's how I see it anyway.
But I think I agree with the OP, that the Name of God was given, and it was given in Exodus, as His "memorial forever".
Fr. Andrew Greeley supported this notion by indicating in his book "Myth of Sinai" that God gave His name so that folks could call upon Him and give Him thanks and praise.
The Psalms demonstrate this.
Yes, Pagan gods all have their various names...but the meaning of the God of Exodus is more profound, and roughly translates to "I AM, that I AM", and the Name of God, YHVH, distinguishes Him from Pagan "gods", and from Jesus himself, for that matter.
I can think of two responses...the first is that Christians are following suit with the Rabbinic prohibition against using the Name.
Secondly, by making the designation for the Father generic, as opposed to a proper Name, it makes it easier for Christians to conflate Jesus with God.
Isaiah identifies YHVH alone as God...so therefore Jesus, no human for that matter, can be God.
The Evangelist John makes a feeble attempt to equate the two with his I AM statements, attributed to Jesus...but still.
But to remove the name of God, YHVH, from the equation, Christians have an easier time to proclaim that Jesus is God.
That's how I see it anyway.
But I think I agree with the OP, that the Name of God was given, and it was given in Exodus, as His "memorial forever".
Fr. Andrew Greeley supported this notion by indicating in his book "Myth of Sinai" that God gave His name so that folks could call upon Him and give Him thanks and praise.
The Psalms demonstrate this.
Yes, Pagan gods all have their various names...but the meaning of the God of Exodus is more profound, and roughly translates to "I AM, that I AM", and the Name of God, YHVH, distinguishes Him from Pagan "gods", and from Jesus himself, for that matter.
My theological positions:
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
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Danmark
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Post #7
One way to approach this is that he was never called "god" in the Bible, which was of course written in Hebrew and Greek.Elijah John wrote: Nonetheless, I think the question has merit.
I can think of two responses...the first is that Christians are following suit with the Rabbinic prohibition against using the Name.
Secondly, by making the designation for the Father generic, as opposed to a proper Name, it makes it easier for Christians to conflate Jesus with God.
Isaiah identifies YHVH alone as God...so therefore Jesus, no human for that matter, can be God.
The Evangelist John makes a feeble attempt to equate the two with his I AM statements, attributed to Jesus...but still.
But to remove the name of God, YHVH, from the equation, Christians have an easier time to proclaim that Jesus is God.
That's how I see it anyway.
But I think I agree with the OP, that the Name of God was given, and it was given in Exodus, as His "memorial forever".
Fr. Andrew Greeley supported this notion by indicating in his book "Myth of Sinai" that God gave His name so that folks could call upon Him and give Him thanks and praise.
The Psalms demonstrate this.
Yes, Pagan gods all have their various names...but the meaning of the God of Exodus is more profound, and roughly translates to "I AM, that I AM", and the Name of God, YHVH, distinguishes Him from Pagan "gods", and from Jesus himself, for that matter.
'God' is just the generic English translation.
Consider that in many languages the word for members of the tribe translates as "people" or an equivalent.
As I've said enough times to bore a thousand people, one of the few things in the Bible I think is truly profound is when this god refuses to give himself a name, but instead replies, "I am who I am.' A true god is beyond naming. Of course this is too subtle and profound for many and they immediately set about to misconstrue it and insist that the name is the thing. The Jehovah's Witnesses get my vote for missing the point most completely.
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Elijah John
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Post #8
[Replying to post 7 by Danmark]
What is truly profound is the 2nd Commandment, the prohibition of depicting God with images. THAT distinguishes the God of the Bible from competing, Pagan "gods".
But in the Fist Commandment, God re-introduces Himself, BY NAME, to the Hebrew people:" I am YHVH, thy God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery".
And as I too have argued many many times, the God of the Bible identifies HIMSELF by name...in Exodus, and on the lips of the prophet Isaiah..."I am YHVH, that is my name", and many other places.
And usage.If Jehovah's witnesses missed the point, as you say, so did the authors of the Hebrew Bible who used the name YHVH some 6000 times in their sacred scripture. That is one thing the Witnesses got right, imo.
The name is a link to God, not a limitation. In the book of Psalms, the name of God is a focus for praise, thanksgiving and prayer.
If the God of the Bible does not have a name, why have a major commandment prohibiting MISuse of the Name?
And why would Jesus teach a prayer that hallows the Father's Name?
What is truly profound is the 2nd Commandment, the prohibition of depicting God with images. THAT distinguishes the God of the Bible from competing, Pagan "gods".
But in the Fist Commandment, God re-introduces Himself, BY NAME, to the Hebrew people:" I am YHVH, thy God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery".
And as I too have argued many many times, the God of the Bible identifies HIMSELF by name...in Exodus, and on the lips of the prophet Isaiah..."I am YHVH, that is my name", and many other places.
And usage.If Jehovah's witnesses missed the point, as you say, so did the authors of the Hebrew Bible who used the name YHVH some 6000 times in their sacred scripture. That is one thing the Witnesses got right, imo.
The name is a link to God, not a limitation. In the book of Psalms, the name of God is a focus for praise, thanksgiving and prayer.
If the God of the Bible does not have a name, why have a major commandment prohibiting MISuse of the Name?
And why would Jesus teach a prayer that hallows the Father's Name?
My theological positions:
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.
I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.
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Danmark
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Post #9
Since YHVH means "I am who I am" or I am that I am'" to me the meaning is clear. This god is beyond naming. This is consistent with the prohibition against making a graven image.Elijah John wrote: [Replying to post 7 by Danmark]
What is truly profound is the 2nd Commandment, the prohibition of depicting God with images. THAT distinguishes the God of the Bible from competing, Pagan "gods".
But in the Fist Commandment, God re-introduces Himself, BY NAME, to the Hebrew people:" I am YHVH, thy God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery".
And as I too have argued many many times, the God of the Bible identifies HIMSELF by name...in Exodus, and on the lips of the prophet Isaiah..."I am YHVH, that is my name", and many other places.
And usage.If Jehovah's witnesses missed the point, as you say, so did the authors of the Hebrew Bible who used the name YHVH some 6000 times in their sacred scripture. That is one thing the Witnesses got right, imo.
The name is a link to God, not a limitation. In the book of Psalms, the name of God is a focus for praise, thanksgiving and prayer.
If the God of the Bible does not have a name, why have a major commandment prohibiting MISuse of the Name?
And why would Jesus teach a prayer that hallows the Father's Name?
For me, to believe otherwise is to diminish the one thing about this god that is special, and to reduce it to the status of a thousand other gods.
In some ways I hope you are right. It makes my argument that there are no gods more powerful. So I'm making this point out of intellectual duty since I admit it cuts against the non theist position, however slightly. So, theists, have at it, further lower the specialness of your 'god.' Insist he has a name. This just further humanizes him and argues for his anthropogenic nature.
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ttruscott
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Post #10
The Names of God in the Old Testament: KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/name_god.cfm
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
El Elyon (The Most High God)
Adonai (Lord, Master)
Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
El Olam (The Everlasting God)
Elohim (God)
Qanna (Jealous)
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
which one is fake?
https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/name_god.cfm
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
El Elyon (The Most High God)
Adonai (Lord, Master)
Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
El Olam (The Everlasting God)
Elohim (God)
Qanna (Jealous)
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
which one is fake?
Last edited by ttruscott on Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCE Theology as I see it...
We had an existence with a free will in Sheol before the creation of the physical universe. Here we chose to be able to become holy or to be eternally evil in YHWH's sight. Then the physical universe was created and all sinners were sent to earth.
This theology debunks the need to base Christianity upon the blasphemy of creating us in Adam's sin.
We had an existence with a free will in Sheol before the creation of the physical universe. Here we chose to be able to become holy or to be eternally evil in YHWH's sight. Then the physical universe was created and all sinners were sent to earth.
This theology debunks the need to base Christianity upon the blasphemy of creating us in Adam's sin.
