Using the Lord's name in vein

Dansiph

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jun 26, 2018
1,349
1,001
UK
✟119,794.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Many religions also have their g_d(s) but when in school, for example talking about the Greeks or Romans, are we allowed to call them 'Mars the g_d of war' or do I need to avoid saying the Lord's name in vain, if that is saying the Lord's name in vain?
I'm not sure on this particular circumstance but the Bible uses the term "god" and "gods" (lowercase) sometimes. Here's an example:

Acts 19:26 King James Version

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

The thing here is, the verse is saying they are NOT deity. Verse 27 mentions the term goddess also.
 
Upvote 0

LoricaLady

YHWH's
Supporter
Jul 27, 2009
18,504
11,548
Ohio
✟1,073,277.00
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Private
It is always great to speak the Father's name with respect. We are told "Our Father Who are in Heaven hallowed" or holy, set apart "be your Name." But what is His Name? Is it God, G-d, Dios, Jehovah or many of the other names He is given in different languages?

Well, He gave His Name to Moses at the burning bush. Ancient Hebrew documents spell it with the consonants YHWH. Since vowels were left out, there is dispute on how it is actually pronounced. My research leads me to believe it is pronounced "Yahuah."

Also, nowhere are we ever told it is not permissible to say His Name. In fact, it is spoken thousands of times in the Bible by many prophets and saints. Messiah spoke it.

When you see "the Lord" in English Bibles, well that tradition started pretty much with the St. James Bible's translators. They had the real name available to them in their ancient documents, but chose not to use it, maybe because they thought it was too "Jewish" or something. So they substituted the real Name with "the Lord."

You might want to do a research on the Name of not just the Father but of His Son. (And btw there is no J in Hebrew so Jehovah and Jesus are not true names for Deity.)

I personally found the Messenger of the Names vids on You Tube to be very scholarly and logical and Biblical, though you have to get past the guy's rather off beat clothing.

If we are not sure how to pronounce His Name, well at any time it is find to say "Abba."
 
Upvote 0

Andrew77

The walking accident
Supporter
Feb 11, 2018
1,912
1,242
Ohio
✟138,616.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Constitution
Many religions also have their g_d(s) but when in school, for example talking about the Greeks or Romans, are we allowed to call them 'Mars the g_d of war' or do I need to avoid saying the Lord's name in vain, if that is saying the Lord's name in vain?

No, you are talking about a non-existent (g)od, that was mythology of the past. I wouldn't worry about it.

You are not using G-d's name flippantly. You are talking about false religions of the past.

If you read Acts, the Apostle Paul, talks to people about the pagan 'gods' of their age.
 
Upvote 0

Reborn1977

Devoted to Jesus - Less of me MORE of HIM
Supporter
Aug 20, 2012
549
300
Visit site
✟59,283.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
By using the word god as you have indicated, and in a manner such as 'the sun god', in no way shows any disrespect toward the One True God, and it is certainly not taking His name in vain.

There are gods, with a small g and then there is God, with a capital G - The Almighty, The Creator, The Saviour.

It is wonderful that you want to honor God in such a way, but don't let honoring Him border on being spiritually paranoid or legalistic.
 
Upvote 0

ViaCrucis

Confessional Lutheran
Oct 2, 2011
37,342
26,788
Pacific Northwest
✟728,246.00
Country
United States
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Others
Many religions also have their g_d(s) but when in school, for example talking about the Greeks or Romans, are we allowed to call them 'Mars the g_d of war' or do I need to avoid saying the Lord's name in vain, if that is saying the Lord's name in vain?

The particular command to not take God's name in vain has to do about not making false oaths, or bringing God's character into disrepute. This made a lot more sense in the time and culture it was said, we don't really do "oaths" like ancient people did, that's simply not really part of modern western culture.

-CryptoLutheran
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

thecolorsblend

If God is your Father, who is your Mother?
Supporter
Jul 1, 2013
9,199
8,425
Gotham City, New Jersey
✟308,231.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Many religions also have their g_d(s) but when in school, for example talking about the Greeks or Romans, are we allowed to call them 'Mars the g_d of war' or do I need to avoid saying the Lord's name in vain, if that is saying the Lord's name in vain?
Sacred Scripture itself uses "god" in a more general sense beyond specifically God the Father.

The word "god" has broad meaning. It isn't using His name in vain to refer to "Mars the god of war" or what have you, not least because your heart motive is not to recognize those characters as actual deities.
 
Upvote 0