The Ballestero Blog

I prefer writing  “Bible” to bible, “God” to god, and “Jesus” to jesus!

In today’s world of fast communication with blogs, forums and social networks, it’s easy to become a little careless when quickly writing about God and church.

The good Lord knows that none of us are perfect nor do we have the right to go around admonishing others.

Forgive me then for treading where normal people would may not. (My friends have never called me normal.)

It does seem from this old man’s point of view, that my generation has gone from carefulness to carelessness in a number of areas.

Remember the stories we all heard about the Scribes copying Scriptures? Remember Bible teachers saying the scribes were fearful to even spell out the name of Jehovah?  I am told they wrote the abbreviation Jah instead.

When they came to that word, they would stop, get a new “pen” (Some say they even changed their garments as well) and then write the name, Jah (Jehovah)

Even comments on Wikipedia show the additional carefulness of men in the Old Testament:

“Laws of writing divine names:

• “According to Jewish tradition, the sacredness of the divine names must be recognized by the professional scribe who writes the Scriptures, or the chapters for the tefillin and the mezuzah. Before transcribing any of the divine names he prepares mentally to sanctify them. Once he begins a name he does not stop until it is finished, and he must not be interrupted while writing it, even to greet a king. If an error is made in writing it, it may not be erased, but a line must be drawn round it to show that it is canceled, and the whole page must be put in a genizah (burial place for scripture) and a new page begun.

• “According to Jewish tradition, the number of divine names that require the scribe’s special care is seven: El, Elohim, Adonai, YHWH, Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, Shaddai, and Tzevaot.”

We all understand that was in Israel, and that was a long time ago. I’m sure I’m “old school,” but  I prefer writing  “Bible” to bible, “God” to god, and “Jesus” to jesus!

In your opinion, I may have OCD, or I may be sticking my long nose where it don’t belong. I may be a picky old English major who likes proper nouns with caps. Or, I may be making an appeal for carefulness. You decide.

I was raised to take my hat off when I came into the Church Sanctuary because it was God’s House. I am grateful for a Dad and Pastor who taught me respect by example.

I was reminded to be careful concerning the things of God and His church. I had my early articles edited by my Pastor/Father. He changed all my god’s into God’s, and my jesus into Jesus. I also had my he changed to He and my him changed to Him.

Write like you want, because I’m not the Capitalization Sheriff.

But this is how I choose to write concerning things worthy of the highest honor.

Thank you for reading.

God Bless You.