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Saturday, June 23, 2018

More On This Names Of God Business

There is a group of Bible teachers who are trying to put people back under slavery to fear and the Law. One way they try to do this is by telling you you are worshiping Satan if you don't use the "correct" Hebrew names for God (or Christ).

Here is my response to one such video:

It seems like you think the entire New Testament was written in Hebrew or Aramaic? If not, I have no idea how you conclude that the Father can only be referred to as "Yahweh." Obviously, Paul uses "theós" [Greek] to refer to the true God and in Acts 17 that is the same word the pagan Greeks also use (the difference being the object of the use). In Psalm 82, scripture (the Father) refers to men as "'ĕlôhı̂ym" (אֱלֹהִים) [Hebrew]. But we know from context the object and difference. 'ĕlôhı̂ym [Hebrew] is also used of false gods (Deut 32:17; etc.).

Scripture also allows for pronouns. Both the Father (Yahweh) and Satan are referred to as "he" (ekeînos) [Greek]; 2 Tim 2:13 cp John 8:44. In fact, Satan is referred to as a "father" in Jn 8:44. I think it's dangerous to start teaching that people are calling on Satan when they use "God." There are people who teach "Jesus" means "Son of Zeus." It never ends. Paul never refers to Christ as "Yeshua." He uses "Iēsoûs Christos" (Greek). The post-Acts epistles are given to gentiles. We were never bound by Hebrew versions of the Greek.

We were strangers to the promises and covenants and we were never under the Law. The Lord demonstrates how just using Jewish titles doesn't mean God hears you.

In Matthew 15:22, a gentile woman calls out to Jesus, "Lord, Son of David" (κυριε υιε δαυιδ). She is ignored. Yet in Matthew 20:31-32, when two Jews cry out "Son of David!" our Lord responds.

The crowds that called for him to be crucified worshiped Him as "Son of David" as He entered Jerusalem. It the heart and the intent. In the case of the gentile woman, to her He is not the "Son of David." That is a title to be used by Jews, not gentiles. But when she drops it and only uses "Lord," she is heard. He is Lord of all.

The Lord knows the heart. You can use the "right" name all you want, but it (a) won't make a difference if you have not been reconciled to God by faith or (b) you use a title, although Biblical, which does not pertain to you.

In 2 Cor 4:4, Satan is referred to as a "theos" (god) just as the true God is referred to as "theos," including the great verse on the full deity of Christ as Creator (John 1:1). Do we conclude Jesus is thus Satan? Nonsense.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (theos) , and the Word was God (theos).
-John 1:1 


the god (theos) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
-2 Cor 4:4

These teachers take advantage of gullible gentiles who are looking for some secret formula to get to God. They play on fear and a lack of understanding of scripture.

May we not fall into their trap.

Paul rightly described Gentiles as "a superstitious/religious people." We love form and magic, and we always seem to be looking for secret ways to God. Yet He awaits the person who cries out for mercy to the risen Savior and approaches Him with a humble and a contrite heart.