Dumb Question

[newbeliever02072005]

I have seen in different posts something that I've been wondering about for a while.

Why do people post the word God or Lord like this?

G-d
L-ord

Feel kinda stupid in asking this, but as they say...."Curiosity killed the cat"


Thanks,
Newbeliever

 

[jenptcfan]

Some people believe that spelling out the word Lord or God is similar to taking the Lord's name in vain, I believe. I've noticed it especially with messianic believers.

Anyway, it's done out of respect.

 

[ArchangelGabriel]

? i always type out G O D and L O R D when i wish to use either in a comment

 

[ArchangelGabriel]

Some people believe that spelling out the word Lord or God is similar to taking the Lord's name in vain, I believe. I've noticed it especially with messianic believers.

Anyway, it's done out of respect.

oh. well then is it held as a belief that its in vain because we are not worthy to us His name, if so then dont you think G-d defeates the purpose since God knows what we mean, kinda like saying "God dang it"

 

[MrJim]

It's a Jewish thing. I've seen stuff in the newspaper-ads or something for synagogues and it'll have G*D written. Respect for the very name of God. I don't go that far but I do have my limits: I won't put His name on a shirt or bumpersticker and cheapen it that way.

People have to decide where to draw the line I guess....

 

[ArchangelGabriel]

I don't go that far but I do have my limits: I won't put His name on a shirt or bumpersticker and cheapen it that way.

? how would that cheapen it?

 

[arunma]

This isn't a stupid question at all. I was also wondering about that. I find that the Scriptural support for this practice is lacking among Messianic believers. There's a verse in Deuteronomy where Israel is commanded to destroy the names of the false Canaanite gods, but to not do the same for the Name of the Lord. So, they reason, we should never write out the Name of God, because there's a possibility that it may be erased.

The problem is that this interpretation is based on a Rabbinic explanation of the verse in question. I don't see why Rabbinic opinions on the Bible are any more valid than the opinions of Imans or Pandits. That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with this practice. If Messianic Jews do this in order to satisfy their conscience, then the command of the Apostle Paul is that I should not get in their way.

 

[dvd_holc]

Writing the Name of God

Jews do not casually write any Name of God. This practice does not come from the commandment not to take the Lord's Name in vain, as many suppose. In Jewish thought, that commandment refers solely to oath-taking, and is a prohibition against swearing by God's Name falsely or frivolously (the word normally translated as "in vain" literally means "for falsehood").

Judaism does not prohibit writing the Name of God per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of God. However, observant Jews avoid writing any Name of God casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better.

The commandment not to erase or deface the name of God comes from Deut. 12:3. In that passage, the people are commanded that when they take over the promised land, they should destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region, and should utterly destroy the names of the local deities. Immediately afterwards, we are commanded not to do the same to our God. From this, the rabbis inferred that we are commanded not to destroy any holy thing, and not to erase or deface a Name of God.

It is worth noting that this prohibition against erasing or defacing Names of God applies only to Names that are written in some kind of permanent form, and recent rabbinical decisions have held that writing on a computer is not a permanent form, thus it is not a violation to type God's Name into a computer and then backspace over it or cut and paste it, or copy and delete files with God's Name in them. However, once you print the document out, it becomes a permanent form. That is why observant Jews avoid writing a Name of God on web sites like this one or in newsgroup messages: because there is a risk that someone else will print it out and deface it. Normally, we avoid writing the Name by substituting letters or syllables, for example, writing "G-d" instead of "God." In addition, the number 15, which would ordinarily be written in Hebrew as Yod-Heh (10-5), is normally written as Tet-Vav (9-6), because Yod-Heh is a Name. See Hebrew Alphabet for more information about using letters as numerals.

http://www.jewfaq.org/name.htm

 

[dvd_holc]

The Significance of Names

In Jewish thought, a name is not merely an arbitrary designation, a random combination of sounds. The name conveys the nature and essence of the thing named. It represents the history and reputation of the being named.

This is not as strange or unfamiliar a concept as it may seem at first glance. In English, we often refer to a person's reputation as his "good name." When a company is sold, one thing that may be sold is the company's "good will," that is, the right to use the company's name. The Hebrew concept of a name is very similar to these ideas.

An example of this usage occurs in Ex. 3:13-22: Moses asks God what His "name" is. Moses is not asking "what should I call you;" rather, he is asking "who are you; what are you like; what have you done." That is clear from God's response. God replies that He is eternal, that He is the God of our ancestors, that He has seen our affliction and will redeem us from bondage.

Another example of this usage is the concepts of chillul Ha-Shem and kiddush Ha-Shem. An act that causes God or Judaism to come into disrespect or a commandment to be disobeyed is often referred to as "chillul Ha-Shem," profanation of The Name. Clearly, we are not talking about a harm done to a word; we are talking about harm to a reputation. Likewise, any deed that increases the respect accorded to God or Judaism is referred to as "kiddush Ha-Shem," sanctification of The Name. Because a name represents the reputation of the thing named, a name should be treated with the same respect as the thing's reputation. For this reason, God's Names, in all of their forms, are treated with enormous respect and reverence in Judaism.

 

[£amb]

There's a member on this forum by the name sc4s2cg. In his/her signature it has a web-link explaining the meaning of this.

 

[£amb]

Actually, I found the web-link...scan down alittle on the thread you are taken to, and it will be explained.

http://www.christianforums.com/t1511768-ask-the-pastor.html&page=4

 

[arunma]

Dvd_holc, that's all very interesting, but my question remains: why do we care about what Judaism says? Not that I don't like Jews, but their religion is irrelevant to Christianity. So I don't see why the opinions of rabbis should concern us.

 

[jenptcfan]

Messianic Judiasm is relevant to Christianity because Messianic Jews are Christians. However, I don't think anyone here is saying that one has to type L-rd. Explanations are just being given as to why some people do.

 

[arunma]

Messianic Judiasm is relevant to Christianity because Messianic Jews are Christians. However, I don't think anyone here is saying that one has to type L-rd. Explanations are just being given as to why some people do.

True, Messianic Jews are Christians. But the Rabbinic opinion comes from a non-Christian source. I certainly don't have any objection if certain people feel the need to write "G-d" and "L-rd." I'm just saying that it doesn't actually have any basis in the Bible, the opinions of the church fathers, or any other Christian source.

 

[dvd_holc]

Let me say that L-rd, G-d, or He-Shem where signs of humility before God. Also, I am going to say that when copying Torah for a whatever reason the rabbi would perform a ritual bath for the writting of each letter of God's name. As per the Mosaic Law, the Jews were very concerned with cleanliness, fear of God, and humality before God.

Well, I can tell you why I look into Jewish stuff. The bible is rooted in a historical time, place, and culture. When I go into that culture I find more indepth knowledge and ramifications of the bible. We can use the bible for quick reference for certain theologies, but there is fullness if I understand what is going on. I propose that we should read the bible in a way that the full overtones are visible and impact our understanding of our faith because the bible is a inspired word of God that rooted in actual events in the first century Judaih when the Romans ruled. I don't seek to gain rabbinical Judaism, but I want to know Jesus who was a Jew and Christianity was thought of being The Way within Judaism. Now, we can make arguements on the law is fulfilled and their is no law (which I am not saying Jesus did not fulfill the law), but our baptism, communion, and understanding of Christianity rooted in Jewish culture.

 

[arunma]

Let me say that L-rd, G-d, or He-Shem where signs of humility before God. Also, I am going to through in that when copying Torah for a whatever reason the rabbi would perform a ritual bath for the writting of each letter of God's name. As per the Mosaic Law, the Jews were very concerned with cleanliness and humality before God.

Well, I can tell you why I look into Jewish stuff. The bible is rooted in a historical time, place, and culture. When I go into that culture I find more indepth knowledge and ramifications of the bible. We can use the bible for quick reference for certain theologies, but there is fullness if I understand what is going on. I propose that we should read the bible in a way that the full overtones are visible and impact our understanding of our faith because the bible is a inspired word of God that rooted in actual events in the first century Judaih when the Romans ruled. I don't seek to gain rabbinical Judaism, but I want to know Jesus who was a Jew and Christianity was thought of being The Way within Judaism. Now, we can make arguements on the law is fulfilled and their is no law (which I am not saying Jesus did not fulfill the law), but our baptism, communion, and understanding of Christianity rooted in Jewish culture.

Jewish culture isn't my problem, nor are Jews at issue here. My issue is the religion of Judaism. When you read the Talmud or Rabbinic writings, you may think that you're gaining insight into Christianity. But just remember that every Rabbi who contributed to the Talmud firmly denied that Jesus was the Christ. It says, "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22).

Does this mean that Jews are especially wicked? No, it does not. After all, the idolatrous Hindus and Buddhists also deny that Jesus is the Christ. But I think that modern Judaism is a very different than the ancient religion of the Israelites, and that the church is the true inheritor of the Israelite religion. So we should always treat modern Judaism no differently than other false religions.

If you want to learn more about Christianity, why not read the early church fathers? Christianity has a rich historical tradition, and one need not be Catholic in order to learn from it.

 

[dvd_holc]

Jewish culture isn't my problem, nor are Jews at issue here. My issue is the religion of Judaism. When you read the Talmud or Rabbinic writings, you may think that you're gaining insight into Christianity. But just remember that every Rabbi who contributed to the Talmud firmly denied that Jesus was the Christ. It says, "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22).

Does this mean that Jews are especially wicked? No, it does not. After all, the idolatrous Hindus and Buddhists also deny that Jesus is the Christ. But I think that modern Judaism is a very different than the ancient religion of the Israelites, and that the church is the true inheritor of the Israelite religion. So we should always treat modern Judaism no differently than other false religions.

If you want to learn more about Christianity, why not read the early church fathers? Christianity has a rich historical tradition, and one need not be Catholic in order to learn from it.

The Talmud was around before Christ and many rabbis took part in it. And not all of them where against Christ or God. The current understanding of Jesus per the Talmud denies him to which I don't listen to it. I don't hold myself under it's authority or under the current Judaism's. And, yes today's Judaism is different from the 1st century Judaism. Further, they had a huge spectrum of believes in Judaism in the 1st century. My route to know God is different than yours. If you should want to know, I have started under taking the series from N.T. Wright about the Historical Jesus and Christianties' origins. It has been very interesting when I get into their world view and way of thinking. I will keep a open mind to absorb all the knowledge I can of the truth.

 

[dvd_holc]

Test everything; keep the good.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

WOW!

Maybe this wasn't such a dumb question. I did'nt realize that this was a thought out topic of discussion.

It all makes sense that some believe it to be showing reverence to the holy name of God. Some convincing evidences and thoughts. But do you honestly think that our salvation is in jeapordy by writing the name of God out?

I'll stick to doing what I was doing. Spelling it all the way out. I don't think God is going to frown on me if I do. He knows my heart. He knows that I respect Him and love Him with all that is humanly possible.

 

[dvd_holc]

Maybe this wasn't such a dumb question. I did'nt realize that this was a thought out topic of discussion.

It all makes sense that some believe it to be showing reverence to the holy name of God. Some convincing evidences and thoughts. But do you honestly think that our salvation is in jeapordy by writing the name of God out?

Yes, it is a very big discussion. Some people want to remove all the Jewishness of it which is redicilous to me. We are not in jeapordy of losing grace because Jesus gave us salvation in one action for everyone as a gift for eternity. God give us grace as a gift so that no man can boast on it. Inherently, if deeds can't give it to us then deeds can't remove us from it. It is a double edge knife. Those who truly believe will do his will. God knows our heart (past, present, and future). God sets us free with full knowledge of who are his people.