Folks, when I first joined the PB I was very much a Baptist in crisis. The dialog on the board has helped remove much of the crisis from my screen name, therefore I have chosen to change it. My new screen name is Dei Gratia, "By the grace of God." All that I have is Dei gratia. I can think of no more fitting tribute than to recognize God's grace is my life.

P.S. And just because the "crisis" part is no longer in my name doesn't mean I won't enjoy a good baptism thread from time to time.

__________________
Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Hey great name! Nice picture too.

__________________
R.Vic Bottomly
Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Vic,

Little Bawb, Bawbinator, Bawbsie Twin, Bawbarino were all taken. You think someone was telling me something?

This is a question, not a charge -- is it appropriate for individuals to assume screen names which use the attributes of God?

__________________
Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."

Matthew, I actually thought about that. My intent is to make a statement that all I am, all I have, all I ever hope to be (and will be in glory) is due to the grace of God. I certainly am not assuming any of God's attributes or attempting to degrade their meaning. If my screen name simply said, "God's Grace" than I believe I would be infringing on one of His attributes. I don't see anything wrong or questionable in stating one of his attributes in such a way as to give him glory. If others disagree please let me know.

Bill, "gratia" is both nominative and ablative, and so might be taken as "grace" or "by grace." The same applies to "Amazing Grace." I just don't think these are appropriate names to call oneself. But I want to make it clear that I'm not making a charge.

Interesting...is a screen name a name or can it also just be a statement about something else? I guess in some ways it becomes sort of both. My screen name wasn't really meant to say who I am as much as to identify me with being a Marine since it is a motto of the Marines. But, after a while, it sort of becomes identified with me even if that is accidental.

__________________
Rich
Okinawa, Japan

WebsiteMaven - Web Hosting Reviews, Guides, and Advice to build and promote your web site.
SoliDeoGloria.com - A Community for Reformed Thought and Discussion

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Rich, knowing that you're a Marine I understand the meaning behind Semper Fideles. But beyond the Marine connection one could say that it is emblematic of our Lord, who is "always faithful." Unintended dual meaning?

Yeah, I've noted before that, if I thought my screen name was intended to identify my person, I couldn't really use it because I'm not always faithful.

Brethren, I've change my user name because I do not want to be a stumbling block to others or to even present the perception that Dei Gratia may disrespect our Lord. So I've chosen a user name that highlights my roots. I was born and raised in Kearny, New Jersey, about 10 miles west of Manhattan. Sopranos country! Exit 15W on the Turnpike for those who know the area. As I said to the mods, "You can take the boy out of Jersey, but you can't take Jersey out of the boy!"

If it's okay to name our children after divine attributes "Grace" etc., then why not usernames.

__________________
Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

Daniel,

I would rather that be part of a separate thread. Feel free to repost that in a new thread. I changed my user name, not because I believe it is wrong, but I would rather not offend. I don't consider Matthew a weaker brother, but I respect him. You bring up a good point and a thread dedicated to that discussion is probably warranted.

It is certainly an interesting question that Rev. Winzer has raised. Can a new thread be created by the mods?

Then what are you making? I don't understand what you are doing by bringing it up if you are not accusing someone of doing something wrong.


I for one don't think anyone is claiming a deity's attribute. I think they are wanting to magnify something about God. Matthew, I would like to know more about your accusation that something may be amiss here.

__________________
R. Martin Snyder (Moderator)

1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

Click to get:Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Why would someone ignore an explicit clarification which was made in the process of asking a question, insist on taking my words as an accusation, and then ask me what basis I have for an accusation I did not make?

Where you implying something was wrong whether or not it was done intentional or not? If not what was your post about?

Gents,

I really think we need to just put this to rest. I think Matthew merely expressed a possible concern. It's on that line where prudence comes into play and he was asking a question of prudence. I don't think we'll be able to come to a hard decision on this and, right now, I'm embroiled in real life controversies and don't want to take this one on here. I don't think Matthew intended to be controversial.

Sometimes we just need to hear these concerns and decide it was OK to go with it. I respect that Bill didn't want to create a potential issue so he chose, on the line of prudence, to change his username and remove any question on the issue.

Blessings!

Rich

There was no accusation of personal wrongdoing be it intentional or otherwise; and the statement to the effect that I was not making a charge was intended to remove the possibility of inferring anything other than a query. Surely I'm permitted to clarify the intent of my own words!

Before it is put to rest:

My children's middle names are Grace, Justice, and Truth.

Plus: Look at most of the Old Testament names transliterated and I think that it answers the question quite well. God is King. God is salvation.... on and on...

__________________
Nathan Eshelman
Grand Rapids, MI
First Reformed Presbyterian Church

PRESBYTERIAN THOUGHTS

First Reformed Presbyterian Church

It depends..... Are you married? My wife use to tell me what I meant.

BTW, I have a boy named Joshua. Jehovah Saves. And what do we make of Elijah?

Why didn't you gentlemen call your children "Grace of God" and "the Lord saves," but choose rather to express the same thought in names which did not push the boundaries of acceptability?

We speak English and not Hebrew or Greek. Other Words. Charis is a girls name also. And Latin is not an original biblical language last I checked. Bill was using Latin in His name originally wasn't he?

And what about Elijah or the other names that invoke God's name? I did name Joshua that because it does mean Jehovah Saves. And he knows it.

In the Scriptures the names are often redemptive-historical, e.g., Melchizedek, Heb. 7, and thus are functional within the context of special revelation. Furthermore, what proof is there that these proper names would have been pronounced the same as the common nouns? Nil. Even in written Hebrew there are variations in form to the extent that scholars disagree as to the exact meaning. If an argument is to be made from biblical practice one should ensure the precedent is correctly understood and applied.