TTAERUM@ualtavm.bitnet (03/01/90)
In article <Feb.18.13.17.18.1990.13304@athos.rutgers.edu>, dragon!cms@gatech.edu > >> Jesus response is ultimately, "before Abraham was, I am". Again Jesus >> claims to be of the same 'kind' as G-d and the people attempt to stone >> him. Again, nothing much is left to the imagination. >> >> Terry Taerum > > I noticed that you spell God "G-d" I assume in order to prevent the Blessed >Name from ever being erased, this being electronic media. Above, you remind us >that Jesus said, "before Abraham was, I am." Of course, "I am that I am" is >the Hebrew name for God, that is to say, Yahweh. I'm not trying to offend you >or anyone by writing the Blessed Name of God, however, I am curious about the >practice. Do you believe that Jesus is God? If so, then writing the name >Jesus should perhaps be rendered "J-sus" in the same manner as "G-d." The same >for the Holy Spirit, who is also God, one would presume. >-- >Sincerely, >gatech!ncsatl!smith_c I am delighted to be able to answer your question, particularly within the context that it is given. Let me first say, however, I am a goy and not a jew. Secondly, there are probably 5,000,000 people in this world who render the Blessed Name as G-d for 10,000,000 different reasons. Each one does it, however, out of a love for G-d. You asked me not to be offended by the use of God rather than G-d. I am not offended. What offends me is when people attempt to understand the first 39 books of the Bible from the sole perspective of Christianity This also includes, in my view, some of the perspectives on Christ in the Gospels. About 12 years ago, I began an experiment to see whether or not the Torah, the writings, and the prophets, could be better understood from a jewish perspective rather than a christian perspective. It should come as no surprise to discover that I found this to be the case. One part of this includes the practice of the use of G-d when following the old testament and examining the view of Jesus in the Gospel. It as also given me an interesting perspective on prejudice as well as the argument about historical relevancy. As to the question of about that "name that is above every name". Should I say J-sus rather than Jesus? Why should I apply a Jewish perspective to something which is obviously Christian? Terry Taerum