We are often asked this question. Jehovah’s Witnesses regard Christians as, at best neglectful and neglectful, at worst part of a great conspiracy to eradicate God’s name. Perhaps you have, like me, heard Jehovah’s Witnesses speak of the shocking number of Christians they meet who simply don’t know the name. I gently point out that if someone on the doorstep tells a Jehovah’s Witness they are already a Christian, going to this or that church, they are probably not. They just say that to get rid a Jehovah’s Witness of their doorstep.
Further, it should be recognised that Jehovah's Witnesses understand full well we cannot know with any degree of certainty how the consonants YHWH should be pronounced, and ‘Jehovah’ is only ‘a common rendering’ of the name. In an article on JW.ORG they say as much.
This is a Poor Conspiracy
Nevertheless, it is worthwhile pointing out that we do use the ‘common rendering’ of Jehovah. It is preached from pulpits, it is found in Christian books and commentaries, and we should be able to demonstrate as much. A good study Bible will have an explanation about the history of the name and the use of LORD in the Old Testament. My NIV Study Bible for instance explains:
‘In regard to the divine name YHWH, commonly referred to as the Tetragrammaton, the translators adopted the device used in most English versions of rendering that name “LORD” in capital letters to distinguish it from Adonai, another Hebrew word rendered “Lord” for which small letters are used. Wherever the two names stand together in the Old Testament as a compound name of God, they are rendered as “Sovereign LORD.” (Hodder & Staughton 1984 ed.)
For more examples go here. As I have often pointed out, if there is a conspiracy to hide the name we are doing a poor job of it.
The Name is used in Christian hymns and songs. I especially think of that grand old standard Guide us, O Thou Great Jehovah. Here it is being sung in English and Welsh to the tune 'Cwm Rhondda' by the choirs and congregation of Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Church, Cardiff.
I have had Witnesses make something of the fact we sometimes sing ‘Great Redeemer,’ but doesn’t the song hail him as ‘Strong Deliverer?’ You can read here the history of this song, written by William Williams of Pantycelyn, Carmarthenshire. It has a very interesting explanation of why this Welsh Methodist hymn to Jehovah was sometimes changed to ‘Redeemer’:
‘While most modern hymnals are in agreement with the bulk of the hymn text, there are a few differences from hymnal to hymnal. In some hymnals, such as The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), the first line of stanza one reads “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,” while in others, including Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), the first line is “Guide me ever, great Redeemer.” As Welsh Anglican minister Sandy Grant writes, many people believe the word “Jehovah” is a mistranslation for the personal name for God, Yahweh (YHWH), revealed to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:13-15. To avoid confusion, the word “Redeemer” is substituted to rightfully depict the God who led the Israelites out of bondage.’
You see, we do seem to know what we are talking about. Sometimes I will ask Jehovah’s Witnesses if they sing this Hymn. They don’t, of course. ‘But,’ I reply, ‘that is amazing! This is the Jehovah song! And you don’t sing it? You, Jehovah’s Witnesses?’
Of course, God has many names, each one telling us something about his character. You can find a good list here. But Jehovah’s Witnesses apparently only witness to the one.
Our Father...
With the advent and ministry of Jesus something truly strange and wonderful happens. The God who is the Father of all creation, and who is by covenant relationship the Father of Israel, becomes the Father of all who, in Christ, receive adoption as children of God.
When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray he said, ‘Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven…’ (Mt.6:9 ESV)
It was to Mary Magdalene, weeping at the tomb, that Jesus said, ‘Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father…’ (Jn.20:17)
It was Paul who writing to the Galatian Church, clarified the gospel message and its implications, writing, ‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’so you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.’ (Gal.4:4-7)
In Romans Paul insists, ‘The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…’ (Ro.8:15-17)
Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Our Father…’
To May Magdalene Jesus spoke of, ‘my Father and your Father…’
Paul writes of our, ‘adoption as sons…’ and insists ‘we are children of God…’
We do know the name of God, indeed we know the names of God, but Jesus taught us to call him ‘Father.’
O, and by the way, Jesus also insisted we should be witnesses of...Jesus (Acts 1:8)
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