Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
The Life of the Early Christians  /  Our Lord's Prayer  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 9
When discussing “hallowed be your name,” David says we aren’t making God holy but asking that His name be hallowed “in us,” and he uses the Westboro Baptist interview as an example of theology and conduct blaspheming God’s name; what kinds of Christian speech, public messaging, or pet doctrines today most tempt you to defend “truth” in a way that actually makes God look unholy?
Another way to ask: David says “hallowed be your name” means God’s name should look holy through us, not that we make God holy. What kinds of Christian talk, public posts, or favorite doctrines tempt you to defend “truth” in a way that makes God look bad?

Direct Answer The transcript warns that even if some statements contain “truth,” the spirit and public posture can still cause God’s name to be blasphemed—especially when Christians speak without holiness, compassion, or humility. The temptation is to “defend truth” in a way that damages God’s reputation by sounding cruel, self-righteous, or hateful.

Support from Transcript:

  • Cyprian: we don’t make God holy; we ask “that His name may be hallowed in us,” and we pray for “daily sanctification.”
  • David explains the petition means we ask that we would “recognize His name as holy” and “treat it in a holy way,” since God’s name is already holy.
  • He stresses witness: God’s name is “blessed when we live godly lives” but “blasphemed when we live hypocritically or wickedly,” echoing Paul: “The name of God is blasphemed…because of you.”
  • He uses Westboro Baptist as a case study: they thought they were “hallowing God’s name,” but were “causing the name of God and of Christ to be blasphemed.”
  • He notes some claims were “actually true” (death because of sin), yet the overall message likely turned non-Christians “permanently” away.
Discussion Follow-ups When you feel most passionate about “truth,” what tone do you take? How can you test whether your words are helping God’s name be hallowed—or giving outsiders a reason to blaspheme?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
Back Questions Next