April 2nd, 2022
by Jason Huckabee
by Jason Huckabee
“Hallowed,” like most of the verbs in this prayer, is in the imperative mood, the mood most often associated with commands.
The standard translation of an imperative would make this verse sound as if the speaker is telling God to be holy, which does not make much sense.
In the Greek, however, the imperative can carry the sense of an entreaty; an expression of request. In English, to convey this sense, we would have to say, “May Your name be considered holy.”
“Holy” (hagiadzo) means to be set apart as sacred; specifically, to have a unique “otherness of character” that distinguishes the object from anything in the world.
Otherness can mean foreign or of a quality with which we as humans are not familiar. This is how the term is most often used by conservative theologians (Karl Barth) when challenging the Liberal idea that God is nothing more than the best within humanity.
Practically speaking, however, otherness can also refer to God’s name, His essence, as it is compared to unredeemed man’s nature.
Consider the following:
…the list could go on and on.
The effect is that, from the outset of the “Lord’s Prayer”, the petitioner is invoking God’s presence by confessing that God is intimately involved as The Father yet stands apart in terms of His character.
The latter thought is not meant to imply separation but is the petitioner’s way of declaring that he recognizes that his Father-God is the
One perfect and whole being.
At the same time, “May Your Name be Holy,” is a heartfelt cry for the rest of humanity to see God this way.
What better way could there be to begin a prayer?
by Warren McClenagan
The standard translation of an imperative would make this verse sound as if the speaker is telling God to be holy, which does not make much sense.
In the Greek, however, the imperative can carry the sense of an entreaty; an expression of request. In English, to convey this sense, we would have to say, “May Your name be considered holy.”
“Holy” (hagiadzo) means to be set apart as sacred; specifically, to have a unique “otherness of character” that distinguishes the object from anything in the world.
Otherness can mean foreign or of a quality with which we as humans are not familiar. This is how the term is most often used by conservative theologians (Karl Barth) when challenging the Liberal idea that God is nothing more than the best within humanity.
Practically speaking, however, otherness can also refer to God’s name, His essence, as it is compared to unredeemed man’s nature.
Consider the following:
- - God is generous where man is stingy
- – God is loving where man is selfish.
- – God is honest where man is deceitful.
- – God is attentive where man is self-absorbed.
- – God is forgiving where man is resentful.
- – God is creative where man is destructive.
- – God is merciful whereas man is quick to judge.
- – God is patient where man is quick-tempered.
- – God is at peace where man is anxious.
- – God is a God of hope where unredeemed man is a creature of fear and worry.
- – God is always present in the moment where man is often absent.
- – God is rhythmic where man is spastic.
- – God is consistent where man is flaky.
…the list could go on and on.
The effect is that, from the outset of the “Lord’s Prayer”, the petitioner is invoking God’s presence by confessing that God is intimately involved as The Father yet stands apart in terms of His character.
The latter thought is not meant to imply separation but is the petitioner’s way of declaring that he recognizes that his Father-God is the
One perfect and whole being.
At the same time, “May Your Name be Holy,” is a heartfelt cry for the rest of humanity to see God this way.
What better way could there be to begin a prayer?
by Warren McClenagan
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