To find articles from the series, simply browse through the “Onomaticon” category. There is a link for this category in the sidebar as well.

What are the New Free Thinkers going to be working on over the next couple months? We will be taking a break from series articles for a while, pending completion of another project that’s proceeding in the background. September is planned to be a different kind of month: without teasing too much, we’ll say that there are several new voices that will be helping during that month. November will mark our one-year anniversary, and we plan to have a very special item ready for that event. The details are still being worked out, so stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

Finally, today marks the launch of a significant new feature on NewFreeThinkers.com: topic suggestion. If you have an article topic you would like for us to write about, you can now send that topic to us using the topic suggestion page.

Do you like the current format of articles? Would you like more series articles or less? Other topics? Do you have an idea for a new series? What would you like to see happen on NewFreeThinkers.com over the coming months? Talk back at us in the comments!

Most people have heard the term “Alpha and Omega”. One thing to realize about any name of God is just how much power is implied behind it! My research turned up many different definitions of this simple yet powerful description of God. Alpha and Omega means the first and the last, the A and Z of the Greek alphabet. But there’s more to it than that. It doesn’t stop with the first and the last — He is also calling Himself everything in between! One definition I found said that Alpha and Omega means the most powerful. God wasn’t being light when he said that he was Alpha and Omega. He was said that He was there in the beginning, that He’ll be there in the end, that He is going to be there in the middle, and that He is the most powerful!

Light of the World

This name seems pretty simple: when God calls himself the Light of the World, our automatic response is to think it means Jesus was the light in the dark world and leading the way. That’s the truth, but we can also see a deeper meaning. Light itself is a pure substance and when it is there, it exposes what the darkness has hidden. By calling Himself the light of the world, God was telling us that the world is a dark place, but when we call on His pure name, He will expose what the darkness has hidden. He will show up the lies that have been told to us. He will guide us, but won’t be a burden. Light is healthy for us and we need the light in order to survive. God is a healthy light and is always shining down on us.

Dayspring

There is only one reference of God calling himself the Dayspring in the Bible, in Luke 1:78. Dayspring means ‘dawn’ or ‘daybreak’. The very beginning, the first thing that happens In a day is the breaking of dawn. Isn’t it amazing that God referenced himself to that? He is saying that He is the first thing that happens when our life truly begins. The brilliant day can unfold, but only after dawn breaks. In a subtle way, God is telling us through this name that he needs to be first in our lives: the very first thing that we should go to. Otherwise dawn will never come and we will continue to live in darkness. Let Jesus be your dayspring, and let him affect your life.

There are many references to God as a rock or stone in the Bible. We have already seen that one name for Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone. Psalm 118:22 calls Him “the stone which the builders rejected”. It is clear that Jesus Christ is intended to be our foundation (I Corinthians 3:11). Paul expounded on this theme to the Corinthian church:

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” – I Corinthians 10:1-4

Sorry to disappoint you Greek scholars, but there’s no hidden meaning to the word “rock”. Paul meant what he said, referencing the rock that followed the Israelites through the desert, providing clean water to drink. That physical rock, a type of Christ, became sustenance for physical Israel. Paul makes the point that everyone enjoyed the benefits of that rock, but some of them paid attention to the spiritual side of things and some did not. Everyone had the same basis, but not everyone made it to the promised land.

Likewise, Christians share the same firm foundation of faith, the rock Christ. If we want to remain with Him, we have to take our cues from the parable of the builders in Matthew 7:24-27 — the wise man built his house upon the Rock, willfully choosing the good and solid foundation when he could have gone elsewhere. The message is clear: Christ is perfect and secure, but we must choose to build and continue to build our lives on Him.

Faithful & True

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”  – Revelation 19:11-13

The Greek word translated “True” in this passage is alethinos, which literally means “not concealing”. God is open about His nature: He is what He says He is. God is not concealing the truth and does not have anything up His divine sleeve. He is the Truth-Giver and revealer of secrets (Daniel 2:47). So in considering the meaning of “Faithful and True”, we know that God’s faithfulness (or “trustworthiness”) is constant. It’s the full disclosure, the real deal. With a foundation like that, confidence should spring up inside to fill the gaps of our faith: where experience fails, knowledge of the One we trust will take over.

A lion. Something so fierce, yet it can be so beautiful and magnificent all at the same time! Jesus was called the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” in Revelation 5:5, which reads “Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah , the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Jesus’ lineage can be traced back to King David, who was promised that he would never lack a descendant on the throne. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, for Mary was a descendant of David in the tribe of Judah. Now that He is risen from the dead, Christ will occupy the throne of David forever.

When a lion roars it is heard for 5 miles in every direction! Jesus will and is proclaiming His glory and it will be heard in every direction. Just like a king or emperor proclaims things, so does our Heavenly Father.

Son of Man

The term “son of man” is mentioned many times  in the Bible, but let’s focus on one. Matthew 20:28 reads “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” God wanted to (as we phrase it) “step into our shoes” for a change. He wanted to feel what we feel — to know firsthand the nature of man that He created. He humbled himself so He could say without qualification that He knew why we feel the way we do. God became a man — the son of man — not so He could understand us, but so we could understand Him.

King of the Jews

“The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  – Mark 15:26

A king is a high ranked official. The definition of “king” in Webster’s Dictionary means “the chief authority”. Jesus is the King or the “high authority,” not only over the Jews but over all humanity. However, just like earthly kings, it’s possible for us to reject His rule. Regardless of what authority He commands and the respect and devotion He deserves, it is up to us to accept Jesus’ rule in our lives. The ancient rulers who crucified the “King of the Jews” rejected His rule, and in the process they rejected the possibility of living in His kingdom: eternal life. But when we acknowledge God as King, the reverse is true and we enjoy the privilege of being part of His Kingdom.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  — Hebrews 12:2

Chapter 11 of Hebrews contains 40 verses describing men and women of God doing mighty acts through faith in God.  Author means that He is the captain, or leader, or even the first inventor of this thing.  Some theologians believe this should be compared to one who would judge in the games, as the writer references in the previous verse (and let us run with patience the race that is set before us).  He has such great things in store for each of us who is willing to run.  He is the one that starts us off on this race, and He will be the one to hand His good and faithful servants their reward.

So don’t get caught up in who’s winning, or how hard it is.  Just persevere. Despise the shame. That’s what Jesus did.  Even if you feel like the old Alabama mule in the Kentucky derby: “I ain’t gonna win but it shore is good to race.”  If this name says anything to me personally, it’s this: He didn’t start you on this race, or this walk of faith, to let you wear down, fall behind, and drop out.  He’s got everything you need to endure to the prize—from start to finish.

Redeemer

“For I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25): This is the same word used in the law given to the Israelites by God.  Pronounced Gaw-al, it was a very important concept in the Jewish system. If a land owner fell on hard times, he could sell his land to pay off debts.  But his land had been given to him by the Lord and that made it inalienable.  Therefore, at any time, he or his next of kin could come to redeem the land or property, with a reasonable payment to the current owner.

The law had not even been given yet at the time of Job. However, this concept of redeemer wasn’t created with the law, but rather this law reflects the nature of God.  So Job, through his understanding of God, could prophetically say that He will redeem, or buy back for him, what the enemy has taken.  Job had nothing, but His redeemer was alive and that gave him hope.

Today we are much the same. We have nothing in this old world, but our redeemer is alive, and for that we can celebrate.  He died, but that was only the delivery of the payment for the goods which we are.

The Amen

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”  — Revelation 3:14

Here the writer refers (he does this in the beginning of every epistle) to a name or attribute of God.  He may have been trying to make an impression in the minds of the receivers of the letter as to the type of God that was speaking to them.  Here the meaning of the word Amen is immediately given: “faithful and true witness.”

The church at Laodicea is known for being disgustingly lukewarm (3:16) and the simplicity of this definition of God is perfectly suited for that.  It contrasts God, who is totally faithful and sincere, against the lukewarmness which signifies insincerity and uncommittedness.

As is stated clearly in verse 20, God is not sneaky or sly. He is going to be straight up with you, and stand politely at your front door.  Perhaps they were given to playing games with God, and God does not do that sort of thing.  He is the “Amen” – faithful, true, certain.  But as verse 21 shows, He is faithful to those willing to do it his way (as I also overcame) and they will be given a great reward.

Our Lord Jesus Christ created the world and everything in it. In this great expanse we call the universe He also created the stars, but did you know Jesus also called Himself a star? Revelation 22:16 says “…I am the root and offspring of David, and the Bright Morning Star.” In Greek, “Bright Star” is “Lampros Asteer”, which means “a strong magnificent light”. Astronomers have estimated that there are 70 sextillion stars in the universe. That’s a 7 with 22 zeros after it, or in layman’s terms, an awful lot of stars!

Our sun is also considered a star. The sun is the closest star to Earth. It burns at 9,932 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface — again following our earlier appraisal, that’s an awful lot of degrees! Jesus decided to call Himself “the Bright Morning Star”. He is the brightest and greatest star in our lives. Yes, the stars and the sun are wonderful, but I know that our God is magnificent and that is what truly matters: he is the sun — the morning star, the compass — of my life.

Living Water

When I say the word “water”, what do you think of? Perhaps words like cool, refreshing, revitalizing, liquid, and pure come to mind. Did you know that in the Bible, Jesus called himself the “Living Water”? He said in John 4:10 “…If you knew the Gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” This living water Jesus is talking about is the Holy Spirit. Living water describes this in just a more practical manner.

Jesus is our living water: something that quenches, refreshes, and strengthens us to carry on. Water is the purest substance in the world, and the best for you. Did you know that 95% of our body is made up of water? Without that water, we can become very ill mentally and physically. Jesus wants to be our living water to keep us going, to keep our strength up, and to make sure we stay strong for the journey ahead.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Mathhew 1:22-23). By understanding that name, we learn that God is with us. He is one of us. All powerful God put on human flesh and walked among us. He is completely divine, and still completely human. He is the image of the invisible, and that image is in a human body.

The Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  — John 1:1

He is the Word. God had no beginning; he will never have an end. Neither will his Word. He was there before the beginning of time; he spoke the entire universe into existence. He is everywhere, at all times, all knowing, all powerful. He is the Word, He is the ruler of all Creation, and yet He still wrapped himself in a human body and walked among us. He showed us an image of the invisible.

Image of the Invisible God

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Colossians 1:15

“The image of the invisible God.” How is that even possible? How can anyone, or anything, be a visual representation of an invisible object? How can the Word be God? How can Jesus be human and still be God? Jesus was not created in the image of God as we were, as it says in Genesis 1:27. He is God’s image. He is the precise reproduction. He is, quite simply, God in a human body. Divine in every way, and yet still human. The walking representation of the imperceptible.

In Hebrews 6:19 God is referred to as an “Anchor” of our soul: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”

This is telling us that He holds us down: through the turmoil of the waves of life He keeps us securely in one place. Even as the waves toss against our hull, He’s there to make sure we are not dashed upon the rocks of uncertainty.

Mediator

In I Timothy 2:5 Jesus is referred to as a Mediator when it says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” To mediate according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is “to reconcile disagreements “, or to “to settle a dispute as an intermediate” .

To help us get get a clear understanding, let’s break down what intermediate means as well. It means “A person who acts between others; intermediary; mediator.”

So Jesus is, according to the two definitions given, the one who reconciles disagreements between two people. Just who are these people? In the verse it says Jesus is the Mediator between God and Man. He is the one who reconciled us with God, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” (Ephesians 2:16).

He became the Mediator to reconcile us with God when He died upon the cross.

Good Shepherd

John 10:11 talks about God as the Good Shepherd; “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

In this title we see that God is not only able to correct us when we are astray — with his rod he corrects us and with his staff he pulls us out of holes we have fallen into, traps we have fallen prey to. He is the good shepherd, the one who leads us and guides us, and also helps us when we fall, corrects us when we have gone astray.

So many times we hear of great preachers and prophets and what they have accomplished during their amazing lives here on earth. But there is one Prophet that is over all the rest: Jesus.

Matthew 21:11 recounts, “The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” Prophet in the Webster’s Dictionary is defined as “A person regarded as, or claiming to be, an inspired teacher or leader.”

Jesus is, was, and forever will be our teacher and leader, or what is called a Prophet. He was the inspiration for all the prophets of the Old Testament, who foretold His coming. Even if we have our teachers and leaders here on earth, we must remember that we serve a great and mighty Teacher and Leader. He knows all there is to know! He truly is the Great Prophet!

Lamb of God

The Lamb of God. When I hear this name, my mind goes to little fluffy animals that prance around in the green meadow. But Jesus was also referred to as the Lamb of God — in John 1:28 we read that “the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God , who takes away the sin of the world!’”

Lambs were used at that time as a sacrifice. When I think of a lamb I think of a soft white coat. Innocence. Beauty. Why would something like that be sacrificed? They were sacrificed to show that the people wanted to give something perfect. But Jesus was the only perfect sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:13-14 says, “The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

Lambs and bulls could not do all that God wanted to do. Jesus was the only pure and spotless sacrifice, innocent and perfect. The Lamb of God.

High Priest

A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites. In particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Priests have administrative power as well as spiritual power. Hebrews 6:20 says “Here Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever.”

Jesus is the priest above priests. Even with as much authority as a priest has, Jesus overrules their authority by a long shot and takes over that “small” role. God is above all men, priests, popes, governers, and even presidents! Some people might not like that there is a priest that is higher than all the rest, but I guess that just ensures that no one can rise to complete power, no matter what! There is no realm where a person can override the authority of Jesus, our High Priest!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  — John 3:16

What does it mean for Jesus to be the Only Begotten Son? Does it mean that he is Jehovah Jr. a second divine person?  Does this mean he is a good man, powerful prophet, or insightful teacher? Or does it mean something totally different?

Jesus was fully man and fully God, born of a virgin impregnated by the spirit of God. Luke clarifies this: “the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

This scripture gives us the reason he is the Son of God or the only begotten son. Not because he is an eternal second divine person whose name is Son. But because God caused the conception, God caused the begetting of the baby Jesus.  Just like any boy is the son of his father, because that father planted the seed. Except in the case of Jesus, the begetting was a supernatural work of God’s spirit.

In order to be the son of a king, you must be in his kingdom. The way we enter that kingdom is explained in John 3:5, “Born of the water and of the spirit.” Because of this we are now the sons of God. But we are not Only Begotten sons, we have an earthly father and mother. Jesus was God incarnate. This is why he was not merely a good man but he was the only perfect man. He was needed to be the sinless sacrifice for all of us who are imperfect.

Everlasting Father

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  — Isaiah 9:6

One thing that is cool about this scripture is it shows the unmistakable Oneness of the Godhead.  Colossians 2:9 says “in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” The man, or son, was at the same time the everlasting father, God come down from heaven manifested in flesh, dwelling in a perfect man.

But on a less doctrinal note, how incredibly blessed are we to have an everlasting Father? It is important to remember that he is the heavenly Father, the everlasting Father. Too many have had bad experiences with an earthly father, and therefore are skeptical of anyone trying to move in on this sore spot. But don’t confuse the endless mercy of the everlasting Father with the callousness of a flawed father. Remember, God doesn’t just love you, but he actually is love.  (I John 4)

He is also “the father of the world to come” as the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) reads it. While he is the loving, intimate daddy that is right down at our level, to kiss our boo-boos, and cuddle us and do all the things a good — no, a great — Father would, don’t forget how big he is. He isn’t contained by this world or the next one because he is the creator of both. He isn’t confined by time because he made time. And time will cease to exist when He chooses. He is waiting to see us face to face if only we will follow his commandments. I am determined to be a son in whom the everlasting father is well pleased.