Why do you single out the American "church" and not others clearly the same?
Christian Nationalism
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Bombastic
Member
Yes, a moment of pause, considering blasphemy. In fear and reverence. A clip from AI, I only add that in ancient times scribes would wipe the brush before and after writing the name of G-d. For FYI, I am literate in ancient Hebraic (Paleo) and Sephardic Hebrew (language of the State of Israel). I often enjoy translating Hebraic into Sephardic and less often into English. I always feel convicted if I write the name of G-d in its original tongue on something like paper and throw it away afterward. In English, the format serves as a reminder to retain the same fear and reverence.
Reformed Protestant: Systematic, Monergism, 5 Solas, Calvinism, Covenant, Cessationist, Amillennial, and Evangelical best describe my theology.
"Hyphenating "G-d" and using "Hashem" are traditional Jewish practices rooted in reverence for the divine and the commandment to avoid taking God's name in vain. They stem from a desire to treat sacred titles with absolute respect and to prevent holy words from being accidentally erased or discarded. Here is a breakdown of the specific reasons behind these traditions:
Why "G-d" is Hyphenated
The Rule Against Erasure: In Jewish law, there is a strict prohibition against erasing or destroying any of the sacred, written names of God.Preventing Desecration: The hyphen originated in pre-Holocaust Europe among publishers who were concerned that printed newspapers, pamphlets, or letters bearing the divine name might end up in the trash. By breaking the word, the sequence of letters is altered so that technically, the actual name of the divine is not being written or erased.
Why People Say "Hashem" Literal Meaning:
In Hebrew, HaShem (השם) literally translates to "The Name". It serves as a respectful substitute or placeholder for God's actual, unpronounceable Hebrew names (like the Tetragrammaton).
Everyday Reverence: While God's proper names are reserved strictly for prayer or Torah readings, Jews use "Hashem" in daily conversation to refer to the Creator without invoking God's holy name casually or in vain.Unlike "G-d," no hyphen is needed: Because "Hashem" is technically a nickname or a placeholder, it can be written or typed out in full without worrying about the prohibitions associated with God's actual names.
The role of Rashi: Rashi, the prominent medieval Torah commentator, interpreted the verse in Deuteronomy 12:3–4 (which warns against destroying the holy places and names of pagan gods) as an explicit prohibition against ever erasing the holy name of God. This interpretation cemented the practice of careful handling and partial spelling."
Oh for goodness sakes, this is silly.....I forget where it says it, Proverbs or Ecclesiastes maybe....."do not be over-righteous".
I'm sure it means apostasy. But I'm not going to get into an OSAS argument here, nope. ;)
Gray_Joy
Well-Known Member
"Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes." Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
Gray_Joy
Well-Known Member
Gray_Joy
Well-Known Member
Do you think they'll answer?
I'd stop them by any means available. As would you,I'm sure.
Who could ever claim to know Christ while allowing such evil to occur right before their eyes?
Except for that one that insists,they would let someone beat a baby to death right in front of them because God told them not to resist an evil person.
See how that doesn't at all sound like God?
When Jesus resisted the evil intent of those who would stone Mary of Magdala to death right in front of him.
If God, "walked his talk", he would have let Mary die under a hail of rocks.
That's not why I was asking. This is about our walk.
We by faith stand in grace, but if our faith fails, so that we think we have to do something to maintain our stand in grace (circumcision or whatever), then we are no longer standing in grace by faith, and have falled from grace. Get back to trusting Jesus Completely for everything, and get back to that standing in grace. This is not a salvation passage.
Much love!
Ziggy
Well-Known Member
Bombastic
Member
Soteriology is by grace alone through faith alone. Unfortunately, the misapplication dismisses any necessary works in sanctification and transformation. Consider how this looks from an outside perspective. A believer is declared holy but lives a sinful, depraved lifestyle, and there is no evidence of transformation or a life in holiness. When confronted, the person simply dismisses the necessity to apply themselves; is that not a dead faith? More often than not, the same people are quick to point out hypocrites outside the church. Likewise, this is a symptom of theological fatalism. For example, I am a Calvinist and observe people at times struggling with the sovereignty of G-d. Some come to the conclusion there is no reason to try; everything is in the hands of G-d. Imagine telling somebody who is struggling with a drug addiction that they are saved and do not need to stop their drug usage, many of whom testify to feeling more spiritual under the influence. Yes, some could say you'll die if not. But is that all? Like a barren tree producing no fruit, theological fatalism can be a killer.
TULIP:
- T - Total Depravity
- U - Unconditional Election
- L - Limited Atonement
- I - Irresistible Grace
- P - Perseverance of the Saints
No man can come to me (T)
except the Father (U)
which hath sent me draw him (I)
and I will raise him (L)
at the last day. (P)
- Theological fatalism is the term to describe tension between the believer and doctrines of salvation (soteriology) that emphasize monergism and the sovereignty of G-d. Like logical fatalism, actions are made unnecessary, therefore eliminating any incentives for personal holiness.
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I am mystified why you would say this. The Holy Spirit leads us walk in holiness. No? Does not your regenerated heart yearn for holy living in all respects? Are you happy with unrighteousness, content to remain there? Isn't the new life inside us propelling us to live holy?
Much love!
"If I be lifted up (crucified), I will draw all men to myself."
The cross changed things.
Much love!
Ziggy
Well-Known Member
Bombastic
Member
What is faith? without work?
I didn't think I could be more clearer. But let's address what you conveyed by regeneration.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Yes, why you are mystified is beyond me. What G-d does in the monergistic work of regeneration preceding faith is apparent. That's what I conveyed in my response. The indwelling Spirit is the cause; however, we are cautioned to tread carefully in what?
Some dismiss all law, statutes, and ordinances.
Those are the questions people need ask themselves in self-examination.
"Does not your regenerated heart yearn for holy living in all respects? Are you happy with unrighteousness, content to remain there? Isn't the new life inside us propelling us to live holy?"
How common is it that the unrighteous believer suggests works won't make you holy? And by your works you are not righteous. Truly, it's a misapplication of monergism. Surely, the devil will support such a doctrine by theological fatalism.
And cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Some are perfectly content with a once-in-a-lifetime altar call. Let me take it to the extreme absurdity. Why go back to church after an altar call? For the unbeliever, praying before every meal is too much work. Morning devotion is too much work. Bible study is too much work. Resisting carnal desires is too much work.
Then there's that guy that comes walking along and says none of that will make you holy.
Suppose some are waiting for a matrix style download and complete software update to the Regenerate v.1.2.
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Bombastic
Member
Ok, not to be rude. I don't believe the things I said are being considered.
I don't want to dive into "all" or "draw" as if all means without exception or the effectual grace of G-d were impotent and that the atonement wastes any drops of blood for whom it was not intended. Rather than a few-word sentence when wanting a response after consideration, consider elaborating more on your points.
Ziggy
Well-Known Member
Ridiculous Jewish superstition.
If you fear taking His name in vain, just use the word God in a way that is not in vain.
The name of God is not God, that is His title.
Ever heard a preacher say “G hyphen d” or “G dash d”?
Bombastic
Member
Kind of, but not exactly. I was addressing what @marks originally stated and also addressing another problematic side that has surfaced in this thread. I didn't disagree with what was said but attempted to address a common misapplication of monergism.
At this point I don't want to engage in semantics. I'm not a literalistic grammatical Nazi that forces anybody to only say things my way.
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