In the scheme of things, atheism is a fairly new idea. The term itself can be traced back to the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. This period saw a departure from a dependence on theism and looked to reason and science to define the world. Although atheism has always existed in some way or form, polytheism has been the more popular belief throughout history.

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Polytheism is the belief that there are multiple deities at work in the world. This was the common doctrine in the Ancient Near East, in ancient Egypt, in ancient Greece, in ancient Rome and several other civilizations throughout history.

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These gods and deities were often applied to life’s situations and circumstances and offered an explanation for things we see in the world.

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For example, many ancient Greeks worshiped Aphrodite, the goddess of love, pleasure and beauty. Being a big fan of love and romance, I would like to think that someone created and rules over romantic expression.

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Many worshiped Hades, the god of the underworld. There are few things in life as inevitable and mysterious as death. To this day, many live life with the reality of impending death and some even find hope in the belief of an afterlife.

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The Greek deities ranged from Zeus who reigned over the skies to Poseidon who ruled over the seas. They even had Dionysus, the god of wine and festivities. The god of turn up.

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In the book of Exodus, Moses finds himself in a difficult position. God tells him to go to Egypt, a polytheistic nation, with the message that God wants the Egyptians to set the Hebrews free. Having been raised in Egypt and understanding their belief in many gods, Moses asks some important questions,

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Who should I say sent me? What’s your name? Who are you?

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The God of the Hebrews simply responds: “I Am Who I Am.”

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It’s as if this God wants to set Himself apart from other gods. He wants to show Moses that He’s not like other deities. He wants Moses to see that He’s more than that. Yes, He’s the God of love. But that’s not all He is. Yes, He controls life and death. But that’s not all He is.

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Throughout the Old Testament, this is the closest God comes to revealing His name. To some, He presents Himself as Creator. To others, He presents Himself as King. To the broken, He reveals Himself as a healer. To the lonely, He presents Himself as a lover. To the widow and the orphan, He shows Himself as Defender.

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However, since there’s no word in any human language that would adequately sum up who He is in His entirety, He simply tells Moses, “I Am Who I Am.”

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In Hebrew, this name is translated into YHWH. In English, He is Yahweh.

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This name was considered so holy, so pure, so perfect, that to even say it could mean a death sentence.

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In the book of Acts, there are several rumors of the resurrection and ascension of a man named Jesus from Nazareth. In an attempt to stop the spread of heresy, Saul goes to Damascus with the intention of killing the men responsible.

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On the way, he has an experience reminiscent of the Old Testament. With a flash of light, God comes to Saul and speaks to him.

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Like Moses, Saul asks this unseen deity, “Who are you?”

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However, this god breaks the silence and answers,

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“I am Jesus.”

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When Jesus walked on earth, He didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He was the embodiment of God, walking among us. He was the love of God and the justice of God in perfect union. He healed those who needed healing. He defended those who needed defending. He comforted those who needed comforting.

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The miracle of the Bible is not that the Word was God. The miracle of the Bible is that the Word became flesh. The miracle is not that God knows us. Anyone who believes in any god believes that. The miracle is that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we can know God! The miracle is that the infinite Yahweh came as a human and told us His name, so that by that Name, all people may have relationship with Him.

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Majesty. Finally. Revealed.

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The reason why the name of Jesus is so offensive is because it claims that there is no other way. There is no other god. There is no other truth. He alone is all things to all people. He alone provides for every need of every person. His Name is the only Name that leads to salvation.

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We must love Him and worship Him. Or reject Him completely. But we must choose.

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May you come to believe that the God of the Old Testament is the same God who is at work right now.

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May you come to believe that Jesus is the One we’ve all been waiting for.

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And finally, may you come to believe that salvation is found in no other name.

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Jesus.