Posted on 09/27/2013 7:11:44 AM PDT by NYer
Q - A few years ago, it was announced that the term "Yahweh" is no longer to be used (removed from all songs). It seemed like an odd decision and with all that is going on in the world, a huge waste of time to make a big deal about. Why did we do this?
A - Thanks for the question! I know this is a point of confusion for many. I hope I can adequately explain the reasoning behind the decision, but let me first point out something else. Don't think the Church isn't doing those other more important things, just because it issues decisions such as these.
The Church hierarchy has a huge responsibility to lead God's people and part of that is to help direct us in the worship of God. Some parts of our liturgy are changeable and some are not. In those parts that are changeable, we might think that it is un-important in the grand scheme of things to address such small issues.
But, if we have the eyes to see it, the liturgy is one of the most important things we will ever do and doing it well is extremely important to everything else we do, because that is where our power comes from (God's grace). So, while in this particular instance we might think that we should be focusing on feeding the poor or helping victims of AIDS, let us not think it is an either/or decision - the Church can and should take care of both big and little issues.
Now, why did the Church makee this change? For a couple of reasons.
1 - The way we spell and pronounce "Yahweh" is a guess for the name of God based on the Hebrew "YHWH". Hebrew is a language without vowels and the vowels must be inferred from the context. In other words, we don't know for certain how to say or write the name correctly - even in Hebrew. In fact, orthodox Jews and ancient Jews would never say the name of God, for fear of doing so incorrectly, because they do not want to accidentally blaspheme God's name. This is why you will find the name "God" spelled "G-d" by some Jews today. Rather they call God by some other name, such as Adonai - which means lord or master.
This ancient practice of avoiding the attempt to pronounce God's name also has Christian roots. In the past few decades, we got away from these roots. Look in most Bibles and you will find the word "LORD" with all caps. This is where the name of God is found. Where you find the name as a proper name "Lord" - is where Adonai is found in the Hebrew text.
So, there has been a wider use of the name of God (YHWH) which started to be used in the songs we sing in Mass. The Vatican asked us return to the roots of language and recapture the awe we should have for God's name. It is a way to reverence the name of God.
2 - This will be seen as a step of reconciliation toward our Jewish friends. We are showing a sign of respect to both our own tradition and their tradition as well. Though the Vatican did not mention this motive, we can guess it played a part in the decision.
3 - The name of God is not just an identifier for the spirit in the sky. A name means much more, esp. in the Biblical times. Think of John 8:58 - Jesus appropriates the divine name "I AM" to Himself, and the Jews knew that He was proclaiming His divinity and therefore they tried to kill him. This is what the Catechism says about the name of Jesus:
2666 "But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: JESUS. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: "Jesus," "YHWH saves." The name "Jesus" contains all: God and man and the whole economy of creation and salvation. To pray "Jesus" is to invoke him and to call him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him."In the bible, to name a thing, or especially a person, is only done by someone who know what that thing/person is, where its destiny lies, and why it is. Therefore, God names man. Man names creatures (in Genesis). God gives a new name to Abram, Isaac, Peter, etc. Parents share this responsibility by naming their children.
"at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth" - Phil 2:10
Ping!
My understanding was that certain groups of conservative Jews objected as they found it offensive.
That’s a shame, because, far from being forbidden to Christians to use the name, it is very much encouraged:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
I’m a pre-Vatican 2 Catholic and never used the Hebrew word for God. It was not said in the Mass, either. Must have come into fashion later...
I suggest — just a suggestion — that since the Annunciation the, so to speak, “operative” Name of the Lord is Jesus, and I would appeal to Philippians 2:5-11 as a guide to pious practice if not to theology.
The wide use of the name of God, rather than “God” or “Lord,” stems from the Jerusalem Bible, especially in the Psalms.
It deeply offended many Jews.
Sure, I agree that Jesus is Lord. However, if you start substituting the name “Jesus” for “Yahweh”, you are, in a way, eroding the whole idea of a trinitarian God. If the names are interchangeable, then it implies the persons are interchangeable, which implies that a trinity is a bit superlative.
“It deeply offended many Jews.”
I don’t see why, since they don’t consider gentiles to be bound by their laws.
God has a lot of official names (HaShem, Adonai, El, etc), the Tetragrammton is a very specific one and a very formal one, only spoken by the High Priest at certain times in front of the Ark of the Covenent, and forbidden to be said at other times.
Now, as Christians, I know that sort of thing doesn’t apply, but it sure seems a bit rude to use the name in any other manner than directed by God Himself, so I always thought this was a wise decision.
Regarding Jews who right “God” as “G-d”, the article is incorrect. Jews are not permitted to let the name of God (however written) get defaced, so, in causual writings (like the internet), the word is avoided or written like “G-d.”*
* Learned this on FR from some of our more helpful Jewish Freepers.
The prohibition against pronouncing The Name isn’t just any law.
The decision by the editors of the Jerusalem Bible was needless.
“The prohibition against pronouncing The Name isn’t just any law.”
Was it given to anyone but the Jews?
That’s all that really should matter to them, the way they view God’s laws. They have one set given to them, and another for the rest of us. So, if God gave it only to them, their own interpretation says that gentiles don’t have to obey it. Otherwise, they are being hypocritical.
Got to remember that except in the USA, in other countries, the readings came from the Jerusalem Bible. I have a hard cover copy of that Bible.
See my tag line
This is my understanding of the sacred names of the father and of his son
What doesn't?
There is no such demand or direction from YHWH. In fact, if you would read the law, you will see that "YHWH" is to be His name of remembrance among men - It is supposed to be on our lips. It is the name that we are to swear by.
But instead we cover it up and make it secret.
We’re not talking about the professional “I’m-offended” crowd. The taboo against pronouncing the Name is not trivial.
We’re not talking about the professional “I’m-offended” crowd. The taboo against pronouncing the Name is not trivial.
Sadly, too many folks “assume” everyone is in that particular group, the “I’m offended because of _____ (fill in the blank for favorite offended group). I kid you not.
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