Originally Posted by Toto

It means Yahweh saves, and it was a very common name, the equivalent of Joshua. The reference was probably to Joshua's role in leading the nation of Israel to the promised land.

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

every knee shall bow...

That sounds like a classic magical formulation - abracadbra!

What might be special about the word Jesus?

Originally Posted by Clouseau

What is special is the word 'name', which to the ancients meant not merely appellation, but thesis; a philosophical, political or religious position as represented by the person whose name was used.

Originally Posted by Baalazel

A name/symbol in analogical connection with the named/object and capable of the transference of power or energy between the two. A device used to affect the outcome of events in agreement with the will of the magician. Thank you Clouseau for saying it even better than I could.

Baal

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

every knee shall bow...

That sounds like a classic magical formulation - abracadbra!

What might be special about the word Jesus?

Originally Posted by Baalazel

You are right to ask about the magical nature of religion. There is among the laws of the practice of the magical arts one called The Law of Words (symbols) of Power. This law says that words are symbols that are able to change the inner and outer realities of those who use them.

The view is that words, as symbols, have accumulated power through use over the millennia. Some say there is an intrinsic connection between symbols and the forces and concepts they represent. Intrinsic because this process is beyond human design and is a function of the symbol itself.

Among these symbols are names. In magical systems a name is the thing named. It is to say that there is an analogical connection between the name and the thing named. This connection is created by the shared structure of the name/symbol and the named/object. Further, to know the true name of a place, person, or thing is to have complete control of over it.

How does this relate to the name of Jesus? This is not too difficult to work out. It is simply that to call upon the name of Jesus is raise ones’ self to the heavens. It is to accrue the power the symbolic name has collected over thousands of years.

Calling upon the name of a deity is to call upon the vast storehouse of energy that resides, not only in the name Jesus, but also the energy existing in the names of all deities. The name of Jesus is the path to the power of the eternal, infinite, Godhead for believers. To call upon the name of Jesus is to have control over him. To have control is to be able to bring desire to fulfillment. It is to be a co-creator with God.

I don’t expect any of you will accept the foundations of the magical arts as appropriate to the modern life. That is not my point. My perspective is that all religious thought is magical thinking. Few people, and assuredly few Christians, recognize the true nature of their beliefs. It does us a service in our debates with religionists to know the nature of their beliefs even when they don’t. Most especially when they don’t.

Baal

Originally Posted by storytime

Fascinating. Where can I read more about this?

Originally Posted by GakuseiDon

Send a PM to Chili.

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Have your little jest.