“A republic, if you can keep it.”
--Benjamin Franklin's response to Elizabeth Willing Powel's question: "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"
It’s a super simple question…Where does the word “God” come from?
Everybody in the old British empire or the lands made by their rule and influences calls their creator “God” but why?
Where does the word come from?
Let’s ask The Thinker (A.I.) to tell us…
Question: Tell me where the word God comes from…
Answer: The word "God" has a fascinating etymology. It comes from the Old English word "god," which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*gudiz," which was also the source of the Modern German word "Gott."
The Proto-Germanic word "*gudiz" is thought to have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*gheu-," which meant "to call" or "to invoke." This root is also the source of other Indo-European words for "god" or "deity," such as the Sanskrit "huta-" (invoked) and the Greek "theos" (god).
In Old English, the word "god" was used to translate the Latin word "deus," which referred to a pagan deity. However, with the Christianization of England, the word "god" came to be used specifically to refer to the Christian Deity.
Over time, the spelling of the word "god" evolved from "god" to "God," with the capitalization indicating its use as a proper noun to refer to the one true Deity of Christianity.
Follow-Up Question: And how was the word God used before it was Christenized?
Answer: Before the Christianization of England, the word "god" (or its Old English predecessor "god") was used in a polytheistic context to refer to various deities and supernatural beings in Germanic and Norse mythology.
In Old English, "god" was used to translate the Latin word "deus," which referred to a pagan deity. The word "god" was also used to refer to the gods of the Norse pantheon, such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja.
In addition, the word "god" was used to refer to other supernatural beings, such as elves, giants, and ancestors. The concept of "god" was more nuanced and multifaceted in pre-Christian Germanic and Norse cultures, encompassing a range of divine and supernatural entities.
The Anglo-Saxons, for example, believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Woden (Odin), Thunor (Thor), and Tiw (Tyr). They also believed in a range of supernatural beings, such as elves, giants, and spirits.
The Christianization of England in the 7th century CE marked a significant shift in the use of the word "god," as it came to be associated exclusively with the Christian Deity. The old pagan deities and supernatural beings were gradually suppressed, and the concept of "god" became more narrowly defined in Christian terms.
Follow-Up Question: So why did Christianity adopt this term “God”?
Answer: When Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the early Christian writers and theologians needed to communicate their ideas about the one true Deity to a diverse audience that spoke various languages, including Latin.
The Latin term "deus" was already widely used and understood to refer to a deity. Early Christian writers, such as St. Jerome and St. Augustine, adopted the term "deus" to refer to the Christian Deity, as it was a familiar concept to their audience.
By using the term "deus," early Christians aimed to:
1. *Communicate effectively*: Using a familiar term helped Christians convey their message about the one true Deity to a broader audience.
2. *Establish continuity*: Adopting the term "deus" allowed Christians to connect their understanding of deity to the existing philosophical and theological discussions about deity in the ancient world.
3. *Distinguish from paganism*: By using the same term for the Christian Deity, Christians emphasized the distinction between their monotheistic understanding of Deity and the polytheistic beliefs of the Roman pagans.
Over time, the Latin term "deus" was “translated” into various languages, including Old English, where it became "god." This term has since been adopted into many languages, becoming the standard term for the Christian Deity in Western Christianity.
Follow-Up Question: How did the word “God” survive the French purge of language and culture in England instead of being replaced with the French term “Dieu”?
Answer: After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, French became the language of the ruling class, and it had a significant impact on the English language. However, the word "God" survived the Norman Conquest and the subsequent influence of French on the English language.
There are a few reasons why "God" was not replaced by the French term "Dieu":
1. *Old English roots*: The word "God" comes from Old English "god", which was derived from Proto-Germanic "*gudiz". This word was already deeply ingrained in the English language before the Norman Conquest.
2. *Continuity of Anglo-Saxon culture*: Despite the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-Saxon culture and language continued to thrive, especially among the common people. The word "God" was an integral part of Anglo-Saxon culture and religion.
3. *Influence of Christianity*: Christianity had already been established in England before the Norman Conquest, and the word "God" was an essential part of Christian theology and liturgy. The Christian church helped to preserve the word "God" in the English language.
Over time, the French influence on the English language did lead to the introduction of many French loanwords, especially in fields like law, government, and cuisine. However, the word "God" remained a part of the English language, thanks to its deep roots in Old English and Anglo-Saxon culture.
Final Question: So you’re saying the word “Deus” refered to a pagan deity but was chosen by Latin Christians to refer to the Deity of the Bible for “conformity” and the word “God” refered to a pagan deity or other supernatural being and the Anglo-Saxon Christians chose it to refer to the Biblical Deity for “conformity”?
Answer: You've caught on to the interesting irony.
Yes, that's correct. Early Christian writers in Latin adopted the term "Deus," which had previously referred to pagan deities, to refer to the Deity of the Bible. Similarly, early Christian writers in Old English adopted the term "god," which had previously referred to pagan deities or supernatural beings.
In both cases, the choice of term was likely driven by a desire for conformity and communication with the existing culture. By using familiar terms, early Christian writers could more easily convey their message and connect with their audience.
***
So what are you doing? Conforming? Or are you willing to speak the truth of the Bible rather than the rubbish your ancestors left for you?
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We're online only today at 1pm Central. Studying the Torah portions, this week is the 10 commandments! Please join our discussion!
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[If you] know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law...
Romans 2:18 ESV
The Law does in fact instruct on God's will and that which is excellent, but it's not enough to hear and understand the Law. One must have sufficient faith to obey.
Thought for Today: Shabbat February 15
A life without YHVH is like a boat without an anchor. YHVH did not attend for our lives to be this way. And when we come to know the Moshiach, He brings calm into our chaos and direction into our drifting. It does not necessarily happen overnight – but as we learn to live by the principles YHVH has given us in His Word, we leave the past behind and discover the peace He alone can give. Thank YHVH for doing this in your life, and pray for your friends and family who do not yet know the Moshiach, that they may find in Him the stability and peace they seek.
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