The Name

by David Bevin

Jerusalem scholar and friend, David Bevin, writes in an article in his magazine “Perspective”. The following is an excerpt.

The claim that one is in error unless one uses solely [a certain pronunciation of the tetragrammaton] when refering to God is a form of legalism. The use of correct formulas and correct pronunciations is very import in magic rites, but not in one’s relationship with the God of Israel, who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).

The theology of the “sacred name” teachers is a good example of the way overly literal translations of Bible passages are apt to influence us in wrong directions. In this case numerous Scripture texts taken at face value have combined to produce a misguided approach that is more concerned with God’s name and its proper or original pronunciation than with God Himself. -