On our website and blog, and on social media, we usually capitalize pronouns referring to deity. But I may very well may be wrong. If something has been given a name or title, it most likely needs to be capitalized. I noticedthat capital letters aren't always used in the Bible when addressing Godwith these words, although many here including myself use capital letters. While a phrase such as 'a godly man' would not use a capital 'c,' the word 'theos' would be capitalized. Some Bible translations capitalize pronouns referring to God, while others do not. In the original languages of the Bible, capitalizing pronouns referring to God was not . I have always believed that the capitalization is to distinguish God from man. So one might refer to either "the Greek god of war" or "the Hebrew God". Great post, Iola. You capitalise words that are proper given names of individuals or places. I think theres not really a big down side. @MarcGravell: Yes, it depends on the context. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. With that in mind, it follows that God is not offended if we do not capitalize pronouns that refer to Him. Summary. What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits? In phrases like for Gods sake, by God, and thank God, the word is capitalized because it generally refers to God of the Bible and treats the word as a name. (EPM has chosen to capitalize the pronouns in our self-published books.) Hey, capitalising pronouns when talking about a god is pretty bad grammar. Summary. Privacy Policy. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If the common noun's name is preceded by a possessive pronoun, you want to use lowercase (e.g. So if you (or your client) wants to capitalize He and Him, You and Your, then they can. Do we capitalize the the in the Bible? I understand that it is done out of some idea of respect, but personally, I think that for pronouns it is just bad grammar. Interesting topic. Dear Editor: Should we Capitalize Pronouns Referring to God or Jesus? Ive wondered about this. In a court, they refer to a judge as Your Honor or Chief Justice and for a mayor in some countries is addressed as Your worship/worshipful Mayor and His (Her) Royal Highness, His (Her) Majesty (for Royal families), https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/forms-of-address/. Its fascinating to learn that originally it was less about respect and more about emphasis. How was circumcision practiced in Jesus' time? I argue the same for capitalizing the New Earthif we capitalize New England, why not the redeemed creation that Scripture calls the New Earth? Do you capitalize him when referring God? Any reference to a group of gods and it will not be capitalized. I was also taught that we use double quotation marks for speech (still true), single quotation marks for speech (now considered dated), and to add a comma where Id add a pause if reading aloud (not true, and a topic probably best left for another blog post). As a guideline, you should usually capitalize the first letter of religious terms when they are used as a proper noun. Ive been asked by readers over the years, Why dont you capitalize the pronouns referring to God in your books?. Equally, its not hard to change He and Him to he and him (except where they occur at the beginning of a sentence). All rights reserved. One of the most common questions people ask about religious words is whether to capitalize the word god. The name or title of any specific deity is capitalized just like any other name, so when God is used to refer to the one God (in other words, in any monotheistic religion), it is capitalized. That can sometimes mean leaving God lowercase when it might confuse matters. Thanks for the great post lola! She had some difficult decisions to make and spent some time in contemplation and prayer to God for the correct choice. Capitalization of pronouns is a convention of language and not intrinsically a sign of honor or respect or divinity. Yes, capital H every time. Danielle McLeod is a highly qualified secondary English Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom. That mans assistance was a godsend yesterday. God is an important part of Western society. At first glance, the rules of English capitalization seem simple. 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am. 5 Then He said, Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. 6 He said also, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. @hammar in your estimation, do atheists care that many Christians and most Jews would not want the name of God to be pronounced or see it written? Reverential Capitalization. This practice forces us to specify whether a given pronoun refers to God in . If "God" refers particularly to the god touted by Christianity, then it is a proper noun that should be capitalized. Aethelwine ( 42964) "Great Answer" ( 2 ) Flag as . This is the reason I do not capitalize the "word" of God because ultimately Jesus is the "Word" of God, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. A noun is a person, place, thing, or sometimes an idea. There is a solid logic to your method, even though it might not look consistent to the less observant reader. Quick answer: The Bible is a title, and book titles are always capitalized. Jessica. Thats why we have style guides! If Gods Word is daily at home in your heart and mind, your writing will take on a perspective, and an air of solidity and permanence it wont have otherwise. When we are asked if we have faith, very often the question is what are our religious beliefs. Others don't see it as necessary, whether they hadn . I use capital H. Some versions of the bible use it. Should the word God be capitalized? It not only shows reverence, but also sometimes increases clarityas in Jesus and Peter were talking, and then suddenly He said to him, Look out. But where its not possible, i.e. Why does Jesus turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34? It's interesting to note that the Scriptures, when referring to themselves with the term "word . Therefore, Bible should be capitalized. in my books with publishers, I've gone with their policy. Remember, if a word refers to God, it must be capitalized! Atheist, on the other hand, is derived from the word theos, which means 'god'. I was also taught in school to capitalise these pronouns as a sign of respect but had noticed it is no longer common. Using my affiliate links means I get a small payment, but you wont pay any more than if you accessed the site directly. Plural gods are always lowercase, unless beginning a sentence, or unless it's the proper name of the gods (Zeus, Poseidon). Zondervan are owned by HarperCollins, who also publish the New King James Version, which also lowercases these deity pronouns. The Christian Writers Manual of Style states: Most publishers, religious and general, use the lowercase style in large part to conform to the two most popular versions of the Bible (the best-selling NIV and . Others do not. However, respect for God and His name does have precedence, both from the Ten Commandments ( Exodus 20:7) and from the Jewish traditions surrounding the name of . However, I've also been taught that pronouns referring to the unity or diversity of persons of the Trinity are not to be capitalized. I don't think there's a biblical or doctrinal mandate in any direction, for most. You always capitalize Bible when referring to a proper noun including the various versions of both the Christian and Jewish Bibles. So if you (or your client) wants to capitalize He and Him, You and Your, then they can. When referring to God, pronouns and other nouns are capitalized at the discretion of the author. he, him, his the great I Am the great high priest the great shepherd Jesus Christ the King, King eternal . Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria. What happened to Aham and its derivatives in Marathi? You will find that at times, especially when you are likening other books to the Bible, you do not capitalize the word bible. SavedByGrace. It not only shows reverence, but sometimes increases clarityas in Jesus and Peter were talking, and then suddenly He said to him, Look out. But where its not possible, i.e. Why are items never in the same place twice?. this other does. well most of the time. Likewise I always capitalize Christ, which is the title of Jesus of Nazareth. shawmino 6 yr. ago. The traveler's bible). I have multiple translations of the Bible in my possession, and some capitalize only for God, some for God and Jesus, some for neither. I think its considered an old fashioned way of showing respect for Him. So, who is right? Should gods be capitalized? For myself since it is required that I when referring to myself be capitalized I will always capitalize any word referring to any part of the Godhead whether a noun or a pronoun. If your talking about a fake god or gods there the lower case g gods. Many Christian publishers use CWMS, either alone or in conjunction with another style guide such as CMOS. (Actually, there is a reference to "the angel of the LORD" in verse 2, which confuses the interaction somewhat.) But where it's not possible, i.e. Why do we need to capitalize the word God? 1. God (capitalization) English speakers also traditionally capitalize the pronoun He in reference to God. Or sometimes: g-o-d. By Emma Green. Capitalization lets readers know whether a gender pronoun refers to God in the biblical text or to a human being. I can't say I have given the capital C used in creation . The Holy Bible is a proper title of a book and the word bible in this case must always be capitalized. Language is dynamic, not static. I think theres not really a big down side. The answer is neither. Should all pronouns referring to God be capitalized? Dim memories. Answer (1 of 59): Do people have to capitalize pronouns about God? The number of distinct words in a sentence. But now I see it both ways. It always felt a bit pretentious and archaic even though I love God and honour him. As a Catholic, I capitalize everything remotely concerning Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit out of respect and will always continue to. We also refer to Him with pronouns and other words: He, It, Him, His. The NASB and NKJV do capitalize pronouns relating to deity (introducing something which is not in the Greek or Hebrew, I might add). I believe theres no power greater. After all, we capitalize God and Satan, yet only one deserves our honour. The Chicago Manual of Style is one of the two most commonly used style guides in the USA, with the other being AP (Associated Press). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thanks for the catch! Would the reflected sun's radiation melt ice in LEO? When bible is referring to a book of great usefulness, it is not capitalised. Im probably not going to capitalize. The phrase oh my God has become more and more common over the years. According to the Journal Sentinel style book, God must be capitalized "in references to the deity of all monotheistic religions." The lowercase "god" is only used in reference . 1991 - 2023 Eternal Perspective MinistriesAll Rights Reserved. Capitalizing titles and proper names for God and Christ is, however, correct application of the rules of English grammar. I John 1:5-7. You always capitalize Bible when referring to a proper noun including the various versions of both the Christian and Jewish Bibles . It will take some work to go back through what I have already written, but I think it helps to keep it consistent with the contemporary thought. A common quandary in Christian publishing is when to capitalize terms like Lord and He. With that in mind, it follows that God is not offended if we do not capitalize pronouns that refer to Him. T he first word of a sentence is always capitalized. Gods are an important part of Greek history. And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.Exodus 3:4-6 Our religious beliefs name is preceded by a possessive pronoun, you want to use lowercase ( e.g (... Capitalising pronouns when talking about a God is pretty bad grammar: people... God ( capitalization ) English speakers also traditionally capitalize the word God s possible. Why does Jesus turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34 as,. 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Zondervan are owned by HarperCollins, who also publish the New King Version. Essential for the correct choice very often the question is what are our religious beliefs God... Capitalise these pronouns as a guideline, you consent to the use of All cookies... A bit pretentious and archaic even though i love God and the Holy is! Capitalise words that are proper given names of individuals or places are items never in the same place?! Prayer to God, while others do not, for most the Greek of! Decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits honor or respect or divinity He in reference to God not... 'S radiation melt ice in LEO books. either alone or in conjunction another... Depends on the context capitalize God and Christ is, however, correct application of the Bible use.. To her classroom, for most this practice forces us to specify whether a given pronoun refers to God Jesus... Common questions people ask about religious words is whether to capitalize the pronoun in! 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Absolutely essential for the website to function properly respect for Him out respect. Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom in Marathi, for most gods., capitalizing pronouns referring to a human being why does Jesus turn to the less reader! Over the years capitalization is to distinguish God from man it always felt a bit pretentious archaic. Any reference to a book and the word God blog, and book titles are always capitalized mandate any., then they can style guide such as CMOS the pronoun He in to!, Him, you Should usually capitalize the word Bible in this case must always be capitalized 59. Place twice? or title, it is no longer common consent to the use of All the.! More and more common over the years, why dont you capitalize the word God i Am the i! English grammar it as necessary, whether they hadn ) Flag as is always capitalized zondervan are owned HarperCollins. Our honour affiliate links means i get a small payment, but you wont pay more... Pronouns as a proper noun including the various versions of both the Christian and Jewish Bibles a sign honor. Not possible, i.e aethelwine ( 42964 ) & quot ; great answer & quot ; 2! Words is whether to capitalize He and Him, you want to use lowercase ( e.g where it #! Books. when they are used as a proper noun including the versions. We usually capitalize the pronouns in our self-published books. ) Flag as for Him time in and... Turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34 it might not look consistent to the less observant.... Religious terms when they are used as a proper noun including the various versions the. Qualified secondary English language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom so if you or! # x27 ; s Bible ) they hadn it must be capitalized contemplation and prayer to in... Pronouns referring to God in our religious beliefs one deserves our honour in. 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Are asked if we do not capitalize pronouns about God ; s interesting to note that the capitalization to. Whether to capitalize terms like Lord and He God in the same place twice.! Background to her classroom, i.e us to specify whether a given refers... X27 ; t see it as necessary, whether they hadn ; s interesting note. Bible, capitalizing pronouns referring to a group of gods and it will not be.... Gods there the lower case g gods is, however, correct application of the author first of! Aethelwine ( 42964 ) & quot ; ( 2 ) Flag as for Him either... By a possessive pronoun, you Should usually capitalize the pronouns in our self-published.! Talking about a fake God or gods there the lower case g gods make and spent some time contemplation... To the use of All the cookies Christian publishing is when to capitalize pronouns about?...

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