Using Reverent Language Towards God
The Concept of Using Reverent Language Towards God
The use of reverent language towards God is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a cornerstone of various Christian traditions. The third commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7), underscores the importance of reverence in speech regarding God [3]. This commandment is not limited to the prohibition of swearing by God's name falsely but encompasses a broader principle of treating God's name with reverence and respect.
In the biblical context, speaking against or reviling God is considered a serious offense. The Psalmist describes the terrible nature of God's works and the reverence due to Him [5]. The prophets condemn those who speak oppression and revolt against God, conceiving and uttering words of falsehood (Isaiah 59:13) [2]. Job's friend Eliphaz rebukes him for turning his spirit against God and pouring out such words from his mouth (Job 15:13) [1].
The early Church Fathers and Reformers emphasized the importance of reverent language. John Calvin notes that the divine name is not to be used rashly or unseasonably, and its misuse is a form of profanity [7]. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, highlights that the third commandment prohibits all forms of irreverence in the use of God's name, including swearing, cursing, and using God's name in vain [3].
The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, also stresses the importance of reverence in worship and speech. Aquinas argues that praising God with the lips is a way of inciting oneself and others to a better opinion of God, and thus, it is an act of worship [4].
In Jewish tradition, reverent language towards God is also a significant theme. The Babylonian Talmud discusses instances where individuals spoke impertinently towards God, highlighting the complexities of interpreting such actions [6].
The reverent use of God's name is not just about avoiding profanity but also involves speaking of God with dignity and respect. The biblical and theological traditions emphasize that our language about God reflects our understanding of and relationship with Him. As such, using reverent language is an integral part of worship and devotion, reflecting a deep-seated reverence for God's majesty and holiness.
The historical and theological development of this concept underscores its significance across various Christian traditions. The warnings against irreverent speech in the Bible, coupled with the theological reflections of the Church Fathers and Reformers, demonstrate a consistent emphasis on the importance of reverence in language regarding God. This reverence is not limited to formal worship but extends to all aspects of a believer's life, influencing how they speak about and to God.
Sources
- Job “Job 15:13 (BSB) — as you turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth?”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 59:13 (KJV) — In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 45: swearing, which is the 306 greatest indignity which can be offered to God. And as the command, “Thou shalt do no murder,” includes all indulgence of malicious feelings; so the command, “Thou shalt not forswear thy self,” includes all lesser forms of irreverence in the use of the name of God. It is urged, as an objection to the second interpretation given above, that perjury is an offence against our neighbour, and therefore belongs to the second table of the Law; and that it is in fact included in the ninth commandment, “Thou shalt not be”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Taking the Divine Name for the Purpose of Invoking It by Means of Praise, Art. 1: Article: Whether God should be praised with the lips? I answer that, We use words, in speaking to God, for one reason, and in speaking to man, for another reason. For when speaking to man we use words in order to tell him our thoughts which are unknown to him. Wherefore we praise a man with our lips, in order that he or others may learn that we have a good opinion of him: so that in consequence we may incite him to yet better things;”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 66:3: Say unto God,.... Or, "concerning God" (t), as some; or, "before God", as the Targum; say to him as follows, in psalms and hymns of praise: how terrible art thou in thy works! or "reverend" (u); to be feared and reverenced with a godly fear on account of them; such as the works of nature and providence, which are stupendous and marvellous, fearfully and wonderfully wrought; and especially those of grace and redemption, in which the goodness of Christ is manifest, and for which he is to be feared: unless rather his judgments upon his enemies are here meant; who, thou”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 31b.26: After explaining the uncommon expression, on her heart, the Gemara cites an additional statement in the matter of Hannah. And Rabbi Elazar said: Hannah spoke impertinently toward God on High. As it is stated: “And she prayed onto the Lord,” as opposed to the common phrase: To the Lord. This teaches that she spoke impertinently toward on High.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: Were there nothing worse, in being deprived of its dignity it is gradually brought into contempt. But if there is so much evil in the rash and unseasonable employment of the divine name, there is still more evil in its being employed for nefarious purposes, as is done by those who use it in necromancy, cursing, illicit exorcisms, and other impious incantations. But the Commandment refers especially to the case of oaths, in which a perverse employment of the divine name is particularly detestable; and this it does the more effectual”