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Question 4

Dean highlighted Ezekiel 36 (“I do not this for your sake… but for my holy name’s sake”) to argue salvation is about God’s glory, not ours; how would church decisions change if protecting God’s name—not preserving our comfort, reputation, or success—was the operating motive?

Another way to ask: If salvation is mainly about God’s glory and protecting His name, how should that change the way a church makes decisions? What choices would look different if comfort, reputation, and success weren’t the main goals?

Direct Answer If God’s holy name was the operating motive, church decisions would prioritize holiness, zeal for God, and public witness over self-protection—because, as Dean stresses, God acts “not for your sake… but for my holy name’s sake.”

Support from Transcript:

Dean quotes Ezekiel 36: God says, “I do not this for your sake… O house of Israel, but for my holy name’s sake.”
The problem is God’s name being “profaned among the heathen everywhere” Israel went; God’s response is to “sanctify my great name.”
Dean summarizes the implication: “even our salvation is not about us. It's about him. It's about glorifying God.”
God’s purpose includes a visible holy people: “When I raise up a holy people that are zealous for me and jealous for my holy name, the Gentiles… will know of it.”
Dean repeatedly pushes self-examination instead of image management: “don’t point fingers… point fingers here… ‘How is my thinking getting involved with this world?’”

Discussion Follow-ups What decisions do you make mainly to avoid criticism or keep comfort? How would your church talk and act differently if the central fear was “profaning God’s name” rather than losing members or respect?

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