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Christianity Today, October, 2008 |

Barring Yahweh

The Vatican gives orders to excise the name from worship. Do Protestants agree?

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra | posted 9/11/2008 10:57AM

Observant Jews have traditionally not used the name Yahweh, refusing to pronounce the so-called proper name of God out of respect, or to be sure they do not misuse it. Now neither will Roman Catholics, ...

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Jack R. Russell

Posted: September 24, 2008 10:45 PM


The Cathollic church or any church that belives in the trinity should have a problem with this. Since the trinity teaching is that God, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all the same then the name of Jesus should not be used as it too is too sacred and the same would apply to the Holy Spirit.

Mike Ramirez

Posted: September 24, 2008 10:27 PM


I thank God, literally, that through His Son, Yeshua HaMashiach, I can go boldly before God's Throne as one of His children and call Him "Father".

Clinton

Posted: September 24, 2008 9:46 AM

...continued...is to encourage more people to have reverence for the Name of God. For those people making a big deal about "we have a personal relationship with God and should we take out Jah of Hallelujah, etc", even the earliest Christians never call God as YHWH. They always call him "Lord". IF you look throughout the NT, God is called as Father or Lord. This is the New way taught us to address our Father. If you're relationship with your parents is really close, you don't call them Bob or Jane. You call them Dad and Mom. In Jesus' day, "Father/Abba" or "Mother". That is how we truly keep the 4th commandment: "Honor thy Father and Mother"

Art Vandalay

Posted: September 23, 2008 7:22 PM


The problem with 'Naming' God is God never gives himself a name and only refers to himself as 'I AM who I AM' in Exodus 3:14...trying to substitute a 'name' or a literary construct like Jehovah can lead to heresies like the 'Jehovah's witnesses'...maybe soon we'll see a group calling themselves 'Yahweh's witnesses!

Callie

Posted: September 23, 2008 6:09 PM

Protestants should be looking to Judaism to answer certain questions. We've totally lost our roots with out understanding the Law and the people who still hold to it. After all, Jesus or as his mother called him, Yeshua, was and is the Jewish Messiah. If we had been looking at our Jewish brothers and sisters, so many areas that have caused denominational splits would not have occurred. We wouldn't have to argue about how baptism takes place because we'd know from understanding the Jewish Mikva, which would have been how Jesus was baptised. We'd also understand communion much better too from studying Passover and Shabbat. If the Jews hold the name of God so sacred that they won't speak it, then why not investigate more deeply the reason for this.

John	Posted: September 22, 2008 11:31 PM

And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of Jehovah shall be saved (DARBY) And it hath come to pass, Every one who calleth in the name of Jehovah is delivered (YLT) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered (ASV) Then everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved (HCSB) - Joel 2:32 All who call on the name of Yahweh will be saved (NJB - *Joel 3:5, as verses are numbered differently) The Catholic Church lost their way over 1700 years ago and have been getting more lost ever since. They invented the Trinity, Hellfire, immortal soul, Purgatory, Jesus and Mary worship, penance, priest celibacy, praying to saints, etc, etc, ad nauseum. ...not to even get into things like Crusades and Inquisitions. "Another voice spoke from heaven; I heard it say, 'Come out, my people, away from her, so that you do not share in her crimes and have the same plagues to bear.'" - Rev 18:4 (NJB)

abrother

Posted: September 22, 2008 1:12 PM


I don't see all Catholics barring Jehovah's name. The article is brings out that Vatican is going to do it. In the time of Christ, you have Pharisees ( Josephus was one of them) didn't used God's name. And Jesus used it (John 17:6) because Jehovah is his father. So, I wonder who is going to be foolish of not mentioning God's name while he is you father too (Ephesians 4:6)?

CAN'T TALK PLAIN

Posted: September 22, 2008 8:43 AM


IF I COULDN'T SPEAK PLAIN FROM BIRTH AND MIS-PRONOUNCE MY FATHER'S OR MOTHER'S OR MY FRIENDS NAME DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD HOLD THAT AGAINST ME OR THINK IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL BECAUSE I WAS MISPRONOUNCING IT. IF GOD FORGIVE US FOR WHEN WE SIN THAT IS IF WE TRULY REPENT THEN HE WILL SURELY FORGIVE US I WE MIS-PRONOUNCE HIS NAME. GET TO KNOW GOD

Joshua

Posted: September 20, 2008 3:45 PM


How can you eliminate the Name YHWH from the Bible? Is there any biblical basis for eliminating this name ? The Name Jesus means: 'Yahweh Saves'. Everytime you say 'Jesus', you are saying 'Yahweh saves'. God manifested Himself as YHWH in the OT and as JESUS in the NT. Jesus is YHWH.

Cathal

Posted: September 18, 2008 1:30 PM


The pope (whom we Catholics call the Holy Father) does not "pose as God." And there's no plot to coerce our "separated brethren," bigots included, back under "the umbrella of Rome."

J. Nylund

Posted: September 18, 2008 4:36 AM

Yes, let's refrain from using YHWH. It is a good lesson for the Protestant community (of which I am a member) to learn to appreciate anew the sanctity of the Lord's name. Sometimes it seems that our efforts to become "best buddies" with God has lead to the tossing out of many important aspects of doctrine. Besides, using the sacred name carelessly is sure to alienate us from the Jewish community. It is deeply insensitive and inappropriate for the 'grafted branch' to have used YHWH as it has in the past, in songs etc.

Gilbert

Posted: September 17, 2008 11:27 PM


Many years ago we were Roman Catholics, however we wanted to go to heaven so we REPENTED AND ACCEPTED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL SAVIOUR AND NOW WE ARE BORN AGAIN FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST. For a good understanding of what it means to be a Christian, read the BIBLE and an 'eye-opener' on Roman Catholics read the Fox's book of Martyrs, also Martyrs Mirror.

Thomas

Posted: September 17, 2008 9:28 AM


I'm sure The Vatican has come to terms with the fact that many (if not most) of its edicts are ignorned at the many of its churches - especially in the US...and it doesn't lead to the destruction of The Temple -- er -- The Vatican. It certainly hasn't any impact on whether we are going to use the term "Yaweh" in our worship or emails....Yaweh! Yaweh! Yaweh! I feel better already...

Phil	Posted: September 17, 2008 8:13 AM


The word Hallelujah is a combination of the Hebrew word Hallel meaning glory, and Jah the shorten form of Jahweh. It means "Glory to God". Are Christians to stop saying hallelujah as well?

Johann

Posted: September 17, 2008 6:55 AM


It might be a good corrective to Pentecostal overfamiliarity with God. I'm tired of how they bring God down to their level by referring to His as their "homeboy" or "boyfriend", etc.

Henry Brinkman

Posted: September 17, 2008 1:52 AM

The word used for to denote GOD from the Hebrew is the four letters YHWH. I had always thought that this in itself already made it impossible to mention the true name of GOD. The LORD told us to not use the name of GOD in vain, and to avoid that they came up with the four letters. Yeshua, on te other hand ,when He taught the desciples how to pray, told them very plainly start youre prayer in this manner, OUR Father. How much more intimate with the GOD of the universe can you get? Of course Yeshua also warned us that we were not call anyone Father, later on in the scriptures. We have a Father and SON in the most high place, because the SON died for our sins. They together are now waiting to bring us the final chapters in the history of the world, which by the way GOD created. In Him we shall put all our trust, our faith, and our future. Come Lord Yeshua, come. GOD Bless. PS meant to chose four star, but could not chage it. Thanks.

A.J.W.

Posted: September 16, 2008 5:26 PM


The only thing I can add to the comments above (which I agree with), is it seems too easily forgotten that FAITH (in Christ) is a Gift from above & should be revered as well regardless of whose denomination. Grieving another's Faith is too close to grieving the Spirit in my opinion.

Daniel Ballinger

Posted: September 16, 2008 3:10 PM

Well, I dont think that in the grace era The Lord would mind us saying Yahweh, But I would like to say that God's saving name since the day that he came in flesh is JESUS, or Yeshua! John 5:43, 14:26, Isiaha 7:14, 9:6, 45:21-23, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Matt. 1-21-23, Acts 4:12, also Jesus is "the name" spoken of in Matt. 28:19, why do I think that someone might ask? besides all of the scrptures I just listed here are a few more, Acts 2:38, 8:12,16,10:48,19:5, 1 corinthians 6:11, Ephesians 1:14, colossians 2:8-9, phillipians 2:9-10! Wake up JESUS(Yeshua) is the name of the Messiah and God! Get back to Apostolic, Pentecostal,Oneness of God Christianity!

Joe	Posted: September 16, 2008 12:51 PM

"I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it." Someone very dear to me said this once. In fact, as a Catholic, I've often wondered whether we should respect the Jewish tradition of not pronouncing the Tetragrammon (sp?), even though some of my favorite hymns use it. I'm sure there will come a time when Glenn will grasp the gift of ritual - until then, better to say nothing than to speak without authority.

LaFazia

Posted: September 16, 2008 11:22 AM

It seems a shame that we need to bring forth more controversy within the Body to appease those who are outside of the Body. Tradition should not dictate Doctrine. Neither, though, should an earthly governing body order/make-mandatory and abstention that is not Biblical. One could easily argue that the command to not take the Lord's name in vain makes room too call on the name of the Lord properly! The worst thing to do is to sew a seed of doubt needlessly into the minds of those who are weaker (not that I claim any strength of my own) and likely to gauge this as a stumbling block and point of contention that honestly is a matter of taste. Should we also stop using the name of Jesus out of "respect"? That is, perhaps, the next step. The Lord save us from the traditions and fables of men.

Steve Stewart

Posted: September 16, 2008 11:05 AM

If God did not want us to pronouce His name, why does it appear hundreds of times on the Psalms, sometimes specifically telling us to praise it? E.g., Ps 34:1-3 I will extol YAHWEH at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in YAHWEW; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify YAHWEH with me; let us exalt his name together. Ps 113:2-3 Let the name [of] YAHWEH be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name [of] YAHWEH is to be praised.

Bill	Posted: September 16, 2008 10:02 AM


I could use some help. In my reading of the Psalms I regularly come across the word "Hallelujah". considering that the last three letters of that word (meaning Praise Yah or Jah) are directly related to the name of God, should I cross our the "jah" and write in LORD?

Terry Johns

Posted: September 16, 2008 7:46 AM

What a load of nonsense. We all know, well some of us do that the Catholic church is the largest cult in the world. Why are we even bothered about what they say. Jesus told us to, Go into the world, prayer for the sick, cast of demons and bring in the Kingdom. Could I suggest that Christianity Today spends less time being concerned with Catholics politics and more time on the issues of the Kingdom....!

Fred	Posted: September 15, 2008 8:41 PM


Joel 2:32 KJ "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered" Peter quoting from Joel in Acts 2:21"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Are all users of KJ Bibles and now Catholic Bibles doomed?

Joseph McCall

Posted: September 15, 2008 5:21 PM

I'm surprised there are so few comments on this issue. Frank is correct- its the condition of the heart that is of importance. I understand the concern- we don't want to cheapen the name of God- indeed, we should seek to be talk TO God and not merely ABOUT God... But the use of Adonai is tradition. Traditions are powerful, and can be of some use. There IS a great lesson to be learned from the existance of Adonai- but we should never be fearful to use the divine name..YHWH our God ...who says "I am who I am", the God who "was and is and is to come". This a sad turn of events I'm afraid. I figure this is done out of hopes to bridge some sort of dialog between the Jewish and Roman Catholic communities- this is an upstanding thing- but I would tend to think that doctrinally, we have been given the freedom and gift of being able to call upon our God with the divine name.

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