HEY ALL! Unfortunately there was a mistake in yesterdays newsletter, where the ending was not sent. It has now been altered on the web. Please go check out the complete version of the end to the “It’s a relationship not a religion” series here.

God has a name

That is the title of the newest book from well known Pastor Jon Mark Comer. Intrigued, I decided to dive in.

In the book he argues that the way we relate to God has been hindered by the fact that we hardly ever call God by his name. Which in case you are wondering is revealed in Exodus 3:14 to Moses at the Burning Bush – YHWH (or Yahweh). 

If you look through your Bible however, you will probably not find this name. What you will find all over the Bible is the title LORD. It is usually written in small capital letters.

This phrase (LORD) is in fact the way most English Bibles translate YHWH or Yahweh. 

What’s missing from the phrase LORD?

What's the big deal with this translation? Why not just translate it as Yahweh? Well there is a whole thing behind this, but basically, the thinking is that God’s name is so Holy that it should not be used in everyday language, lest we accidentally take the LORD’s name in vain.

Thus, it was decided some time ago to stop using the name of the God and replace it with the title LORD.

The problem with this – as laid out by Jon Mark – is that “LORD” is a title and not a name. 

It's a bit like talking to your spouse and calling them “Wife” or “Husband” all day. It's not incorrect, it's just not very personal. It creates a sense of distance between you and the person you are relating to.

When we pray to God, and refer to Him as Lord, we may fail to enter into the intimacy of the relationship. Of course, what we may call God in place of “LORD” is “Father.” Which is meant to be even more of an intimate phrase for calling God. But even Father carries connotations of formalness.

Try Something New

But calling God Yahweh?

That is something new. It almost feels a bit odd. Because as you speak it out in prayer you realize – I am speaking with a person. Not a person in the sense we understand, but still a person. Someone who is not just there, floating in the sky, but has emotions, gets angry and jealous and is compassionate and merciful. 

I fully recognize that calling the LORD by name can take some getting used to. I also struggle with the idea that I may indeed be offending God somehow by using His name wrong. I mean there was a reason we stopped using it right?

But I also notice that calling him Yawweh leads to a more intense sense of personalness in my prayers that sometimes is not found by calling Him LORD or Father. 

So I encourage you this week to give it a shot. If you do not have any strong convictions about not using the name of God in prayer, try addressing Him as Yahweh, and see how it feels.

You may just discover a side of God you never knew.

Be Blessed,

Aaron

Theophilus Newsletter

P.S. What do you think about today’s topic? Is it okay to call God by his name? Email us and let us know your thoughts. 

P.P.S. I also am interested in your experience should you try it. If you call God Yahweh during your prayers does it change anything? Let me know. Have a great week.