To the Editor:

I am hoping that Martin and space will allow two LTTEs from me this week. I am grateful for his prior indulgence. I do not want to ignore R. Shiells’ comments on Yahweh, or YHWH, because so few people know this term, and this happens to be one of my areas of interest.

In Exodus, when Moses met God in the burning bush on Mt. Sinai (Horeb in some traditions) and received the Ten Commandments, he was understandably concerned that the often-miscreant people fleeing Egypt would demand the source of his astounding story. In Exodus 3:13, Moses asked God’s name. God replied, “I am who I am,” often translated as “I Am Who Am,” expressed as YHWH. This tetragrammaton, meaning “four letters” was so holy, only priests could say the name. More common Hebrew names were also used by seculars, “Elohim” and later the Hebrew word “Adonai,” and “Kyrios” in the Greek Septuagint.

What’s amazing in Judaeo-Christian theology is that God – who does not need us – sought a relationship with us. Secular history does not say much about Jesus of Nazareth or of his ministry, but some historians make mention of a small movement challenging the authority of the Jewish Sanhedrin during the Roman occupation of Israel. St. Paul, who may be the greatest public relations guy in history, was instrumental in spreading Christianity to the then-existing western world. Once the “good news” of the Gospels found its way to Rome, it flourished and spread. It was a novel idea: the concept of a man/God who suffered and died so that God would forgive our sins and taught that we are all equal in God’s eyes. The message was revolutionary, and raised ordinary people to realize their innate worth. It was Spiritual Freedom.

The “tough love” of the Old Testament was surpassed by the loving God of compassion and generosity toward neighbors. Whether a person’s human life is rich or poor, king or servant, of whatever sexuality, wounded or healthy, prisoner or addict, they are equal in the eyes of God.

I don’t know if Ryan thinks my understanding is divergent from his on this subject. I think Christianity is the most humane, brilliant, and loving message of any religion with which I am familiar. The tough part is to practice it. But I acknowledge Ryan’s willingness to share his opinion publicly, and especially on this fascinating subject.

Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.