For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:10
Before settling upon a doctrinal position, one should consider and provide an answer to all reasonable objections. A failure to do this is a violation of the Scriptural principle, ‘here a little, and there a little’. Ignoring the broader context of the Bible will lead to false and outrageous conclusions.
For example, it is often taught that the name Jehovah must be used whenever we pray to, or mention the God of Heaven. Before I proceed to show the fallacy of this claim, it is true that the Tetragrammaton found in the Old Testament is the name of the true God, to the exclusion of all false gods. It is important to understand that this is God’s name, and the study of His name is beneficial. But this does not mean that we must use it in every reference to Him.
When read on their own, certain passages may seem to state that it is imperative to use this name. However, studying Scripture by the principle of ‘here a little, and there a little’ reveals that this is an erroneous conclusion. Judging by the example left by Jesus and the apostles, a strict policy of only using the name of God represents a departure from the teachings of Scripture.
Apostle Paul’s letters to the Gentile churches were written in the Greek language. The vast majority of New Testament doctrine and tradition was transmitted to the church through this great apostle. One would think that if using the name of God was vital, that Paul would have communicated this precept. Yet not once does the name of God appear in any of Paul’s letters. On several occasions, Paul quotes Old Testament passages that in the Hebrew Scriptures contain the name of God. Yet in every instance, Paul employs the Greek title ‘Kurios’ (Lord) in its place.
Like His servant Paul, Jesus did not instruct us during His earthly ministry to use the name Jehovah, nor were we left any record of Jesus using this name in the gospels. In the most authoritative example of prayer ever given to man, Jesus instructs the church on how they are to address God:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matthew 6:9
Besides giving His servants the positive instruction to call God ‘Our Father’, Jesus Himself used this endearing term when speaking to His God. In His dying words, Jesus addressed God in the way that we ought to when in distress:
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit… Luke 23:46
This is not to say that we are never to use the name Jehovah when speaking or writing about the Father. In certain contexts, referencing the Father by His name is appropriate. In Deuteronomy 10:17, for example, highlighting the use of the name Jehovah serves to distinguish the true God from false gods. But the New Testament is our closest example, and it behooves us to ‘hold the traditions which ye have been taught’ therein (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
To pass by plain contradictions such as these, and yet steam forward in one’s position, is a dangerous method of Bible study. To spare ourselves and those under our influence from falling into a multitude of errors, we must not look at any verse through a keyhole, but rather take in the broader view, presented ‘here a little, and there a little’.
Christopher Sparks