Chapter 4 2nd Commandment

1. Chapter 42nd Commandment • “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God.”

2. Introduction • God confides his name to those to believe in him. • The gift of a name indicates trust and intimacy.

3. Introduction • Thus, we must not abuse this name, but keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration - introduce it into our own speech to bless, praise, & glorify. • This commandment may seem puzzling - many think it simply forbids cursing, vulgarities, and other violations of etiquette.

4. In Genesis Ch.1, God creates by speaking. God brought the animals to Adam to be named – Adam then had dominion over them. There is Power in Language

5. Parents name their children. We show respect for elders or superiors by called them by their title and last name, rather than the familiarity of just using their first name. There is Power in Language

6. Think about how important it is to know someone’s name. And what it feels like to forget that name when you have to introduce this person to someone else. There is Power in Language

7. There is Power in Language • Why did your parents choose your name?

8. I AM WHO AM This is an unexpected invitation to intimacy, a show of trust that is not to be betrayed. God Entrusts His Name to Moses

9. The Law of Christ: Moral Theology for Priests & Laity by Bernard Haring, CSSR • Names God is called in the Bible: • Yahweh- proper name for God in the Jewish scriptures, from the Hebrew verb “to be” • God is our Mighty-Helper

10. Prophetic names of the Messiah • Emmanuel (God-With-Us) • Wonder-Counsellor • God-Hero • Father-Forever • Prince of Peace • Jesus

11. All the Prophetic Names of the Old Testament • Point to the providential offer of God’s tender care and love for all people. • BUT The Climax of the Revelation of God’s Name Comes Through Jesus Christ

12. He knows and calls his sheep “by name”. The name is a basis of a new relationship, of independence, and protection. Jesus the Good Shepherd “I know my sheep & they know me.”

13. Honoring God’s Name Recognizing the depth of love of God for us and holding it dear. “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. To call upon the name of the Lord means to place oneself under the protection and dominion of the name of the Lord.

14. Misuse of the Holy Name • Ranging from profane language (using the name “in vain” to diabolic disdain or scorn for it). • The sin of “vain use” of holy names, often called profane language, is a venial sin.

15. Misuse of the Holy Name • It is more malicious to use God’s name in vain as an expression or manifestation of emotions which are in themselves disordered and sinful (feelings of vexation & impatience, unrestrained or unjust anger). • Dishonoring God’s name needs to be challenged.

16. Speaking the Truth • The 2nd commandment highlights the sin of perjury. • We commit perjury when we make a promise under oath & either do not intend to keep it or simply fail to do so.

17. Speaking the Truth • Perjury is an offense against this commandment because of the nature of an oath. • Oath: swearing – with God as our witness – to the truth of what we say.

18. Definitions • Yahweh – proper name for God in the Jewish scriptures, from the Hebrew word “to be” • Providential – pertaining to God’s all-knowing & loving ordering of events • Passion – Jesus’ suffering after the Last Supper leading up to his death

19. Definitions • Inculpable – without blame or guilt • Profane - mundane and ordinary; not set aside for holy purposes; irreverent or contemptuous of God. • Venial Sin – a less serious sin (compared to a mortal sin)

20. Definitions • Censure – official disapproval or condemnation • Malicious - deliberately harmful • Vexation - irritation or annoyance • Minutiae – minor or trivial details • Narcissist – one who feels excessive self-love

21. In Our Imageby Matt McDonald • We take God’s name in vain when we suggest to others that we have a complete understanding of who God is and what God wants others to do. • Instead, we need to have greater humility & accept that God is mystery.

22. Taking God’s Name in Vain • Because of lack to a physical image of God, we create an idea of what he looks like. (e.g. “an old gray haired man”) • People in the past have manipulated His word to justify murder, racism, misogyny (hatred of or hostility to women), & innumerable other sins.

23. Taking God’s Name in Vain • To come to a clear understanding of the person of God, we have to consider that perhaps we have made God out in our minds to be something that He is not. • God is who He is regardless of what we think of Him – we are lacking in humility to think otherwise.

24. God has entrusted to the Church that revelation to safeguard & interpret in light of new questions & issues that face us. God is Revealed in HistoryEspecially Through Jesus Christ

25. What we must keep in tension is our belief in this authentic revelation & the realization that all language about God is analogous language & metaphor. God is Revealed in HistoryEspecially Through Jesus Christ

26. Just as a sculpture cannot understand the artist, we can never fully understand God. God’s Awesomeness

27. God’s Awesomeness

28. Our attempts at talking about the awesomeness of God will forever fall short of capturing God. God’s Awesomeness

29. God’s Awesomeness • We need humility, reverence and awe when we call upon the name of God.

30. awesome censure dominion Emmanuel glorify intimacy irreverent malicious Messiah mundane narcissist perjury praise profane prophetic vain Yahweh SPELLING