Shekinah Glory
Ever use this term in your sermons or bible study groups? A friend I respect suggested I should be mindful that is not mentioned in the Bible and (implied I might) be careful about using the term - even say as some men gather and I thought of using it when describing a chapter involving Solomon's prayer and 1st Kings, the ark, the temple, and where God chose to temporarily reside, etc.
I would welcome any comments and if you ever carefully use or avoid the term altogether as you serve the Lord.
I also studied this link https://www.gotquestions.org/shekinah-glory.html and would welcome any easily located Logos references too.
Joshua in Rhode Island
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Although it's not in the Bible, it is an actual word describing an actual thing. The root word is in the Bible. Most of the direct references to it are rabbinic, though. So reasonable caution is wise: the word isn't in the Bible, but it refers to a Biblical thing/idea. Avoid making over-reaching claims and such, and you should be okay.
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"The Unbelievable Work...believe it or not." Little children...Biblical prophecy is not Christianity's friend.
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The topic guide for Shekinah is instructive. All of the major dictionaries except Anchor-Yale include an article, it looks like. The term, like "trinity" can be a useful category, although the language itself is extrabiblical.
[quote]
Shekinah
Transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “the one who dwells” or “that which dwells.” The term enters Christian theology from its use in the Targums and rabbinic literature to describe the immanent presence in the world of the transcendent Deity. Although the word is not itself used in either Testament, it clearly originates in OT passages which describe God as dwelling among a people or in a particular place (Gn 9:27; Ex 25:8; 29:45, 46; Nm 5:3; 1 Kgs 6:13; Ps 68:16, 18; 74:2; Is 8:18; Ez 43:7–9; Jl 3:17, 21; Zec 2:10, 11); God, whose dwelling is in heaven, also dwells on earth. In its narrower uses the term is applied to the “shekinah glory,” the visible pillar of fire and smoke that dwelled in the midst of Israel at Sinai (Ex 19:16–18), in the wilderness (40:34–38), and in the temple (1 Kgs 6:13; 8:10–13; 2 Chr 6:1, 2).
The rabbinic sources used the term more widely than with specific reference to this OT phenomenon alone. In the Targums “shekinah,” “glory of God,” and “word of God” are used synonymously. Shekinah became a comprehensive term for any form of the presence of God; it could be used as a designation for God or as a circumlocution for references to the face or hand of God. Only in the later rabbinic sources does the Shekinah become a separate entity created by God as an intermediary between God and man.
The NT frequently alludes to the concept of the Shekinah, even though the term itself is not used. God’s presence in the NT is frequently associated with light and glory (Lk 2:9; 9:29; Acts 9:3–6; 22:6–11; 26:12–16; 2 Pt 1:16–18). John’s Gospel emphasizes both the concept of glory and of dwelling. When the word became flesh, he dwelled among men who beheld his glory (Jn 1:14). The Spirit of God remained on him (v 32) and would be with his followers forever (14:16). He would abide in those who abide in Jesus (15:4–10). The same themes of dwelling in Christ and of his dwelling in his people occur repeatedly also in John’s letters (1 Jn 2:6, 14, 24, 27, 28; 3:6, 14, 15, 24; 2 Jn 9).
Paul also identifies Christ as the Shekinah of God. All the fullness of the godhead dwells in him bodily (Col 1:19; 2:9). The dwelling of Christ in the church constitutes the saints as the people of God (1:15–23). Paul’s message was the “gospel of the glory of Christ,” for God had caused light to shine to give “knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4–6 NIV). Finally, the writer of Hebrews sees Christ as “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature” (Heb 1:3 NIV).See GLORY; THEOPHANY; PILLAR OF FIRE AND CLOUD.
Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Shekinah,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1943–1944.Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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Hi Joshua,
The word Shekinah is not in the Bible but the concept is clearly biblical. It's the same situation for other biblical concepts such as monotheism, atheism, trinity and incarnation. A non-biblical word can point to a biblical concept.
That said, I tend not to use the word Shekinah because most average people have never heard of it and I want my preaching and teaching to be as intelligible as possible.
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Gordon Jones said:
That said, I tend not to use the word Shekinah because most average people have never heard of it and I want my preaching and teaching to be as intelligible as possible.
I think Shekinah is, like "trinity" and "inerrancy," a technical term that is common enough that it is worth teaching your people, so they can be part of the broader Christian conversation.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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Logos resource links (for screen shots)
=> A Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels (2 vols.)
=> New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (13 vols.)
Keep Smiling [:)]
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Justin Gatlin said:Gordon Jones said:
That said, I tend not to use the word Shekinah because most average people have never heard of it and I want my preaching and teaching to be as intelligible as possible.
I think Shekinah is, like "trinity" and "inerrancy," a technical term that is common enough that it is worth teaching your people, so they can be part of the broader Christian conversation.
I would agree it is worth teaching people about the Shekinah and useful for people to be taught so they can be part of a broader Christian conversation on such issues. For many years, I moved among Charismatic and Pentecostal groups and there were occasions when it was difficult not to regard certain manifestations of God as an appearance of Shekinah glory in a place. For many Christians this concept is not theoretical or technical, but practical and experiential.
The OP has raised a topic that would be important to many charismatic and Pentecostal believers seeking resources from that perspective within Logos. Keep well Paul
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Isn't it the same root? I see this one in OT.
"7931. שָׁכַן šāḵan: A verb meaning to settle down, to dwell. In its most simple form, three slight variations of meaning are found for this verb. First, it simply means to settle down (Ex. 24:16; Num. 24:2; Ps. 102:28[29]). Second, it can mean to lie down or rest. When used this way, it can refer to objects (Num. 9:17; Job 3:5); animals (Isa. 13:21); and people (Jer. 23:6; 33:16). When people are the object of the verb, it means that they are resting in peace and security. Third, it may mean to dwell or abide. Again, this can have several referents such as people (Ps. 37:27; Prov. 2:21); the dead (Job 26:5); God (1 Kgs. 8:12; Isa. 8:18); or objects such as the Tabernacle (Josh. 22:19). In the intensive form, it means to establish. The word is used in this way in Deuteronomy 12:11 and Psalm 78:60 to describe how God set up a dwelling place for His name, establishing Himself in Israel. Finally, the causative form means to lay, to place, to set (Gen. 3:24; Josh. 18:1); or to cause to dwell (Job 11:14; Ps. 78:55)."
Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 1140.
"No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying." Leonard Ravenhill
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For personal study is fine, but to use it in a class or sentences for every day life or when we study with people it's nonsense IMHO. We get so caught up with academic jargon and we end up confusing people rather than helping them learn what really is important -- The Gospel!
That's why we now have people refusing to call Jesus "Jesus;" instead they want to call him Yeshua. Or call God Adonai or use Yahweh instead of Jehovah (and we don't really know how to pronounce it anyway). What are we trying to do now become jews or speak Hebrew or some kind of Spanglish?
As someone has already stated: "Keep it simple!"...I'll second that!
DAL
Ps. The important question you should ask is: How is using that term when presenting the gospel going to contribute to someone's salvation? The answer is ZERO! Teaching Shanikua or Lakisha is not the gospel. Maybe when they grow up in the faith you can do a class about weird theological terms and their meanings, but before that or in a sermon, I would stay clear at all cost.
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DAL said:
That's why we now have people refusing to call Jesus "Jesus;" instead they want to call him Yeshua. Or call God Adonai or use Yahweh instead of Jehovah (and we don't really know how to pronounce it anyway). What are we trying to do now become jews or speak Hebrew or some kind of Spanglish?
Considering that Mary and Joseph didn't speak English, the angel wouldn't have told them to call Him "Jesus." He was born a Jew, observed the Jewish holy days, and knew Hebrew from his study of the Torah.
No one had said we have to become Jews or speak Hebrew, but let's please not replace the fact that "salvation" is from the Jews.
Thanks to FL for including Carta and a Hebrew audio bible in Logos 9!
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PetahChristian said:DAL said:
That's why we now have people refusing to call Jesus "Jesus;" instead they want to call him Yeshua. Or call God Adonai or use Yahweh instead of Jehovah (and we don't really know how to pronounce it anyway). What are we trying to do now become jews or speak Hebrew or some kind of Spanglish?
Considering that Mary and Joseph didn't speak English, the angel wouldn't have told them to call Him "Jesus." He was born a Jew, observed the Jewish holy days, and knew Hebrew from his study of the Torah.
No one had said we have to become Jews or speak Hebrew, but let's please not replace the fact that "salvation" is from the Jews.
Yes because God chose to bring about salvation through them not because they gave it to us. In the Christian era there's no such a thing as Jew or Gentile, we're all one in Christ even those Jews who are willing to jump on board with the new program.
Besides, that's not the issue here, so you're definitely getting sidetracked. You are starting to sound like the religious group that claims they gave us the Bible, when they didn't or the other group that claims God only speaks through their "Tower of communications" 😂 Anyway, don't get sidetracked
👍😁👌
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Well, since Akhenaton (sp) also 'dwelt' among the rays of the sun, you could thense pursue monotheism, or alternatively sun god worship that shows up in the OT and early church. Just helping out on side-tracks.
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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Denise and every other poster....thanks so much. You have all been helpful, respectful, and a blessing. God bless your day.
Joshua
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DAL said:PetahChristian said:DAL said:
That's why we now have people refusing to call Jesus "Jesus;" instead they want to call him Yeshua. Or call God Adonai or use Yahweh instead of Jehovah (and we don't really know how to pronounce it anyway). What are we trying to do now become jews or speak Hebrew or some kind of Spanglish?
Considering that Mary and Joseph didn't speak English, the angel wouldn't have told them to call Him "Jesus." He was born a Jew, observed the Jewish holy days, and knew Hebrew from his study of the Torah.
No one had said we have to become Jews or speak Hebrew, but let's please not replace the fact that "salvation" is from the Jews.
Yes because God chose to bring about salvation through them not because they gave it to us. In the Christian era there's no such a thing as Jew or Gentile, we're all one in Christ even those Jews who are willing to jump on board with the new program.
Besides, that's not the issue here, so you're definitely getting sidetracked. You are starting to sound like the religious group that claims they gave us the Bible, when they didn't or the other group that claims God only speaks through their "Tower of communications" 😂 Anyway, don't get sidetracked
👍😁👌
I'd have to disagree. I WOULD use the word and HAVE used the word Shekinah when teaching. It's a powerful word, so teaching the root word is powerful to the hearer. I think the dumbing down of Scripture is a HUGE problem today, and the only way to empower the Church is teach the power of the Word. To say EVERYTHING has to point back to salvation is the problem. Sunday morning, the seats are filled with sinners and saints. The sinners need to hear the message of salvation WHILE the saints are being fed meat. It CAN be done---my church does it well. But to avoid certain words because they might be "confusing?" A good preaching pastor will know how to preach to the sinner while feeding the sheep entrusted to him! (See John 21)
Cynthia
Romans 8:28-38
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Cynthia in Florida said:
I WOULD use the word and HAVE used the word Shekinah when teaching. It's a powerful word, so teaching the root word is powerful to the hearer.
[Y]
Considering that the Israelites certainly experienced God's presence, and His people will experience His presence and glory for all eternity, we shouldn't dodge the topic here and now.
"The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory." Isaiah 60:19
Thanks to FL for including Carta and a Hebrew audio bible in Logos 9!
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Cynthia in Florida said:DAL said:PetahChristian said:DAL said:
That's why we now have people refusing to call Jesus "Jesus;" instead they want to call him Yeshua. Or call God Adonai or use Yahweh instead of Jehovah (and we don't really know how to pronounce it anyway). What are we trying to do now become jews or speak Hebrew or some kind of Spanglish?
Considering that Mary and Joseph didn't speak English, the angel wouldn't have told them to call Him "Jesus." He was born a Jew, observed the Jewish holy days, and knew Hebrew from his study of the Torah.
No one had said we have to become Jews or speak Hebrew, but let's please not replace the fact that "salvation" is from the Jews.
Yes because God chose to bring about salvation through them not because they gave it to us. In the Christian era there's no such a thing as Jew or Gentile, we're all one in Christ even those Jews who are willing to jump on board with the new program.
Besides, that's not the issue here, so you're definitely getting sidetracked. You are starting to sound like the religious group that claims they gave us the Bible, when they didn't or the other group that claims God only speaks through their "Tower of communications" 😂 Anyway, don't get sidetracked
👍😁👌
I'd have to disagree. I WOULD use the word and HAVE used the word Shekinah when teaching. It's a powerful word, so teaching the root word is powerful to the hearer. I think the dumbing down of Scripture is a HUGE problem today, and the only way to empower the Church is teach the power of the Word. To say EVERYTHING has to point back to salvation is the problem. Sunday morning, the seats are filled with sinners and saints. The sinners need to hear the message of salvation WHILE the saints are being fed meat. It CAN be done---my church does it well. But to avoid certain words because they might be "confusing?" A good preaching pastor will know how to preach to the sinner while feeding the sheep entrusted to him! (See John 21)
I very much agree with Cynthia's view. Its a powerful word and one that can be very meaningful to use in a sermon or in simply sharing with a small group. I would like to think that the majority of pastors and teachers respect their congregations and see them as intelligent and willing to learn. And if they believe their task is to enable - how can they not make the effort to teach them? Logos software does provide some powerful capabilities, but who is it for? Keep well Paul
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