The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Phil. 2:9 name above every name

hisalone,

This is NOT a "light-hearted discussion" due to the sobriety of the topic and your assertions:

Thus, one can only understand your assertion as the "name" is ABOVE all the other "names" of God. "Above" = beyond, higher, more excellent, superior, etc., thus making all other names of God, below, lower, less excellent, inferior, etc.

Secondly, the "names of God" in the OT are representative of God Himself, i.e., His character, being, and attributes. You will find that Jehovah is referred to by the writers of the OT and by God Himself as being all encompassing. That in Christ the Godhead was displayed bodily is a truth. But the name, He Christ, is not "above" the Triune God for He is included in it.

Thirdly, by implication, even explicitly, when you say that the name of Jesus "incorporates ALL His attributes" none of the other names of God does so. Again, I strongly suggest you do a in-depth study of how God has revealed Himself in the OT.

Lastly, at least you are consistent in that when you dream up some novel idea which rarely has been held by others, you seem to want to disregard why that is so. How could it be that perhaps no others among our forefathers who were far more knowledgeable of God and the Scriptures missed these "marvelous" insights which you have discovered? We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us; not apart from them. It is incumbent that we consult the writings of reliable and recognized Christians and compare our views with theirs as there is a consistent history of what the Church has always believed. To dismiss them either in part or in whole is arrogance. I pray you have not done so.

The passage is simply saying that the name of Jesus is above all other names, EXCLUDING God. For God will not share His glory with another. To extol the name of Christ is right indeed, but AS God and not ABOVE God.

If you respond and say that you agree, then perhaps the problem is your failure to articulate your view in such a way that it is not misunderstood. Am I a nitpicker as to words? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/yep.gif" alt="" /> You bet I am as were those who framed the great evangelical Creeds and Confessions of the Church. All manner of errors have crept into the Church due to the allowance of redefined terms, the addition or removal of a word(s), even the substitution of one letter. It is hoped you can appreciate that. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,