What is in a name? (Cofty, Inkie, Tec, Aguest, LovelyLil, and anyone else who wants to respond) (page 3)

tec

Its a carry-over from another thread, Misery. I can see how it sounds like I'm talking like I'M ready to pass out in the first post though... or at least having a 'tec went insane in front of our eyes' post :)

Basically it is in regards to being heard by God (or not) if you aren't using the right name, or approaching in the right way. (through Christ). Then it is also talking about what the right name means: pronunciation or what that name stands for, or a mixture of both, etc.

Am I being too vague still? You might want to read the other post. Just a sec, I'll get the link... okay here it is, page four:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/207561/4/Why-God-keeps-silent-to-somebody-even-after-intensive-cry

Tammy

miseryloveselders

Well Tammy, I'm not prepared to comment on this at this time as I'm really sleepy. I'm enjoying a milk shake right now, its pretty good. I'm thinking that a name is only a designation assigned to someone for the sake of identification and nothing more. The respect behind the name is up for interpretation by the subject in question. God being the one that created us and knows us better than we know ourselves, should be able to recognize our hearts when it comes to either the proper pronunciation or improper pronunciation of His name.

garyneal

Tammy, didn't you once say that this forum is like your church?

tec

I think I once said something like I can 'gather' with other believers (and non-believers) here and share my faith, and also learn from others. Church makes me think of a pastor and a sermon, and oftentimes rituals. I don't think of THAT when I think of this place. Just of a gathering, and a place to share my faith with others.

Its more than that for me though. Its a big community of just about everything, and I learn from the many different perspectives.

Tammy

cofty

jiyuu2 is spot on!

Thousands of people are familiar with my dad at some level or another, a few dozen or so perhaps know him well enough to call him by his first name. One person can call him dad (actually he doesn't speak to me but that's another topic)

One of the most important themes of the NT is the change in status of believers from slave (as Shelby loves to call herself) to sonship.

You you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” – (Romans 8:15)

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. - John 1:11-13

Arguing over the correct form of gods name is to miss the whole point of the christian gospel.

Cofty - ex-christian who really did "get it"

lovelylil

I agree with what many posters here said so far but would like to add one thing;

Jesus told the woman at the well that God was looking for those who worship him in spirit and truth. Its important to recognize God is spirit and can be worshipped anywhere. We also need to understand the truth about him. God is not the vengeful Jehovah God of the WT. He is the God of love as shown in the person of his Son.

Since God can read hearts he knows when we are being sincere and really want to know him and what is truth, he will answer our prayers if we pray in "spirit and truth", regardless if we use Jehovah or not.

But now that I am a born again Christian I use "heavenly father", but I also pray to Jesus as my Lord. Peace, Lilly

nugget

I have several names Nugget, Jane, Mum, Mrs Robertson and depending on what name is being used I may choose to respond differently. Some names place me in an inferior position and some in a superior one . However if someone mispronounces my name I will still respond I was once called June for a whole year at school and can't count the times I have been referred to as Mrs Robinson.

If someone needed my help in an emergency and didn't use my name at all but just called for help I would respond I wouldn't take offence or refuse assistance because they hadn't been absolutely spot on. If I am to believe I am made in Gods image why should I imagine that he would be so pedantic. It is men after all who are insisting that we use a specific pronunciation and none of them really know what the correct pronunciation is. They don't even pronounce Jesus name correctly. It is the same men who keep calling me Mrs Robinson and sent my Dfing letter addressed incorrectly.

I am sure God is above such pettiness if he wanted us to know the correct pronunciation he would have made sure that it would be clear and unambiguous especially if help and salvation were dependent on us using it.

jgnat

My (so far unexpressed) question is, how many gods are there in the Witness pantheon? I figure if there is One God, there is no trouble (on his end) recognizing who we are praying to. So regardless HOW the prayer is expressed, it arrives at the one destination.

nancy drew

rumpelstiltskin

Ding

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for a lot of things, but failure to use the name "Jehovah" or using the name incorrectly weren't among them.

In fact, in his model prayer Jesus addressed God as "Our Father...," not "Jehovah." (Matthew 6:9) and always addressed God as "Father" in his recorded prayers. (Matthew 26:39, for example)

Besides, the NT records many Christians praying directly to Jesus such as in:

Acts 7:59; Acts 9:1-9; Acts 9:10-17; Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Cornithians 12:7-9

What is in a name? (Cofty, Inkie, Tec, Aguest, LovelyLil, and anyone else who wants to respond)

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