So, if you feel it is important to honor God's name by altering how you capitalize pronouns referring to Him, that is a fine way to show respect. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Next time you write about God youll be grammatically correct. Some, believing it shows reverence for God, capitalize all pronouns that refer to God. Why does Jesus turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34? He's going to have a talk with Father.) Harry says: April 30, 2011 at 8:42 pm. in my books with publishers, Ive gone with their policy. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Why do we need to capitalize the word God? The old bible manuscripts didn't have this problem. The Bible says the hardest thing to tame is the tongue (Or in this case typing fingers haha) I only wish to come off Christ-like and be more like Him and spread the gospel. God is always capitalized when referring to a single God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah. I intend to continue to do so for now. I picked up the habit years ago of capitalizing "Him" and "His" when referring to any person of the Trinity. New Zealand publishers may also use it, as although its not new (2002), its considerably newer than the local equivalent, which is 1995). It only takes a minute to sign up. Should 'god' be capitalized? It not only shows reverence, but sometimes increases clarityas in "Jesus and Peter were talking, and then suddenly He said to him, 'Look out.'". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Thats why we have style guides! More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Browse other questions tagged, Like any library, Christianity Stack Exchange offers great information, but, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. (KJV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. With these words, Jesus was saying that everything is about Him. William Tyndale (translator of one of the earliest English Bibles) didnt consistently capitalize God, let alone He or Him (or he or him), and neither Hebrew nor Greek distinguishes between lowercase and capital letters the way English does, so the original Scriptures provide no guidance. If you capitalize pronouns that refer to God to show reverence for His name, fantastic! I believe theres no power greater. As a Catholic, I capitalize everything remotely concerning Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit out of respect and will always continue to. Capitalize family relationships when used as proper nouns . Continue doing so. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. See also H.quotation marks. What are the different English Bible versions? Also, its a symbolic respect in reference to God widely accepted. Capitalization of pronouns is a convention of language and not intrinsically a sign of honor or respect or divinity. I believe inconsistency occurs when we go off course from its original plan. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. However, were here to serve everyone without cost, so please dont feel obligated to give unless the Lord leads. The NASB and NKJV do capitalize pronouns relating to deity (introducing something which is not in the Greek or Hebrew, I might add). Cite it. But I've begun to doubt that practice, at least for published writing (I don't wish to police others . Godly and other words that start with god are almost always lowercase. " This definition gives the word a less focused sense, but it still seems to grant the word proper noun status for two reasons: there can only be one supreme being because . The old practice of capitalizing pronouns of deity has been done in very few Bible translations historically, and was abandoned by most Christian publishers years ago. God should be capitalized and sister shouldn't be. If you capitalize pronouns that refer to God to show reverence for His name, fantastic! If the Bible is used in the secular context, it will not be capitalized (e.g. 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. The Christian Writers Manual of Style says (p145): Thats another vote for telling us what people do. So, who is right? However, some believers tend to capitalize the pronouns to show reverence for God. he him; male and female created he them. @Peter Turner noticed the same in Roman Catholic writings. The downvoter should also explain why both the Torah and Koran (or Quran) are commonly capitalized, but the Bible (as a religious text) should not be. When being used as a common noun, it is referring to the concept of a god (or god as a "type," if you will) and is not capitalized (just like "human" or "dog" would be) this other does. well most of the time. Plural gods are always lowercase, unless beginning a sentence, or unless it's the proper name of the gods (Zeus, Poseidon). But I appreciate the post and I hope to see you all one day. Referring to God as G-d is a recent occurrence in the United States. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I knew that editor well. Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer, 20 Best free fitness apps for Android devices. I only promote those products and services I have personally investigated or used, and which I believe deliver value. I do think there are more important things to discuss. Few people, however, know when its the right time to capitalize the God and when it shouldnt be capitalized. What does the Bible say about capitalization? I clearly state where I have been provided with a free product or service to review. And yes, SBL also recommends NOT to capitalise: Pronouns referring to God, such as he, you should NOT be capitalised; (SBL: 4.4.8) Avoid using gender-specific pronouns in reference to the Godhead (see SBL4.3). Other forms referring to the one religious God also must be capitalized, such as Allah, Father, or Jehovah. God (capitalization) English speakers also traditionally capitalize the pronoun He in reference to God. My question is if this is an appropriate or common practice among Christians? In Greek, there were capital (upper-case) letters and lower-case letters. But where it's not possible, i.e. And when monotheistic believers named their deity, they called him God.. Now youre aware of when to capitalize God. I thought Id edited that comment, but the edit didnt save and I have now deleted the comment. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria. God is kept lowercase when it is referred to as a common noun. Yes, I could mock others for things they say too, we are all in the same sinking boat without Christ. It does not store any personal data. Great post, Iola. The phrase "belief in gods" is punctuated correctly. Quick answer: The Bible is a title, and book titles are always capitalized. In my opinion, these words do not qualify for reverential capitalization because they arent directly describing God. The monotheistic god of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is the same and is referred to as God, the name. Altho I usually wont mention it to them. When bible is referring to a book of great usefulness, it is not capitalised. Religious references, please capitalize God, Jesus, Lord, Father, Holy Spirit, Savior, Heaven, Hell, Bible and the Word (as in the Word of God) and all pronouns referring to God including Him and His. There are always questions about grammar and capitalization when it comes to God. Why is it that God the Father is alone capitalised in the third person? I dont like it. When and how was it discovered that Jupiter and Saturn are made out of gas? Capitalize titles that appear before names, but not after names. Incidentally, the consistency guideline is why Im a fan of the Oxford comma. These are descriptive words and not direct words for God. Yes. I can't say I have given the capital C used in creation . Ur article is a waste of time and an insalt to God. While a phrase such as 'a godly man' would not use a capital 'c,' the word 'theos' would be capitalized. Yes, we did. Because the Bible is the name of a book i.e. Each of us must follow his/her own conviction and each of us should refrain from judging those who take a different viewpoint. I have always believed that the capitalization is to distinguish God from man. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN? I have seen it in many writings and, similar to the Jewish use of G-d, I find that it helps me be always conscious of the holiness of the One I am discussing I don't use it when referencing the work of God because I do not see that as divine.. That includes Angels since we are a little bit lower than they. In general, I try to use whatever the person I'm communicating with is using. Others, believing the rules of English style should be followed, do not capitalize the deity pronouns. Thanks for the great post lola! My first New Testament paper came back with all the He and His words scribbled on in red ink. Each reference to faith, no matter how secular, includes a reference to God or religion. (EPM has chosen to capitalize the pronouns in our self-published books.) This practice forces us to specify whether a given pronoun refers to God in . rev2023.3.1.43269. When people form a group and give it a name, it should be capitalized. Answer (1 of 59): Do people have to capitalize pronouns about God? Editors will follow the guidelines of one (or more) of these style guides in editing or proofreading a manuscript and may also create a style sheet explaining the spelling or treatment of words specific to that manuscript to ensure correctness and consistency. Should all pronouns referring to God be capitalized? Should section or chapter be capitalized? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. The word Bible is also capitalized when referring to the Jewish Bible, when used as the first word in a sentence, and when used in the main title of written works. Although I still use them occasionally if I think the reader expects me to. This rule of thumb applies fairly broadly in Christian publishing. A noun is a person, place, thing, or sometimes an idea. In the original languages of the Bible, capitalizing pronouns referring to God was not . The Facebook groups answers unhelpfully ranged from Yes, always to No, never with a healthy sprinkling of Sometimes and It depends. If your talking about a fake god or gods there the lower case g gods. In Hebrew, there was no such thing as upper-case and lower-case letters. In Greek, there were capital (upper-case) letters and lower-case letters. It is neither right nor wrong to capitalize or not capitalize pronouns that refer to God. Capitalizing pronouns that refer to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a way of honoring God and showing esteem. Score: 4.8/5 (7 votes) . Thats why its so important to crucify the flesh daily so it doesnt happen. We dont want to know whats common or uncommon. (But watch me!) 10 capitalization rules everyone should know Capitalize the first word in a sentence. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Christian is derived from the proper noun Christ. If Holy precedes the Bible (Holy Bible), it is also capitalized.. Answer: Capitalizing pronouns (e.g. We only capitalize the "G" in the . Capitalization Rules in English | Quick Guide & Examples. If the titles take the place of names (as in Uncle Bart and Grandma ), capitalize them. So if you (or your client) wants to capitalize He and Him, You and Your, then they can. Dear Editor: Should we Capitalize Pronouns Referring to God or Jesus? If you self-publish, you get to choose. On our website and blog, and on social media, we usually capitalize pronouns referring to deity. May 29, 2014. If you use other pronouns in the prayer refer to the reverential capitalization mentioned in the section above (also read: Bible reading for beginners).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,250],'faithfulteaching_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-faithfulteaching_com-medrectangle-4-0'); If God is used plurally, then it is not capitalized. Likewise if referring to the particular dev. The reason is that in such cases we are talking about members of a general class or category specifically, members of a group which gets the label 'gods' because people have, at one time or another . Thank you for your comment. A common noun provides a generic name for a person, place, thing, or idea. The Style Manual is the official style manual used by the Australian government, as well as many Australian publishers and authors. Of course, I would never agree to Christ or God not being capitalized. AP/The Atlantic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Thank you. Over the years, questions have related to the writing in Hebrew and whether Gods name should ever be written. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The real God should always be capitalized. its title it is a proper noun. This answer is: This article will provide you the answers to spell it correctly. I don't think there's a biblical or doctrinal mandate in any direction, for most. 3 eternal God Eucharist Exile (biblical event) Proper nouns do not include articles, but common nouns do. Answer: It (and some pronouns), when referring to the creator of the universe, is a proper noun and is capitalized (just like "Bob" or "Joe" would be). It is neither right nor wrong to capitalize or not capitalize pronouns that refer to God. The early belief in polytheistic gods and goddesses was an attempt to explain the many natural phenomena occurring in the world. Or sometimes: g-o-d. By Emma Green. See answer (1) Copy. Others do not. Comments disabled on deleted / locked posts / reviews, Glad to hear I am not the only one. Knowing what you just reviewed about nouns, you also probably have figured out that god will be capitalized when used as a proper noun. Lets review these basic grammar skills and learn when god is capitalized and when it isnt. There was simply an alphabet, no capital letters at all. Is it appropriate to capitalize pronouns referring to Jesus Christ? In studying anthropology, she discovered that those who believed in God often had a more positive outlook on life. If you capitalize pronouns that refer to God to make it more clear who is being referred to, great! For example, you'd capitalize "God" in these sentences: Some Christians give thanks to God before every meal. Dear God, please let my . 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. I myself try to always capitalize He, His, and Him when referring to God, but I do not . Your email address will not be published. It would appear odd for Jesus to refer to himself as Me in a biblical novel at the same time as his enemies were referring to him (Him?) But now I see it both ways. Should the words "Him, He, His"be written with a capital H when talking about God? 1.) 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. Common questions are when is God capitalized and should godly be capitalized? Some Bibles do not capitalize certain pronouns because their translators felt that doing so was not an accurate translation of the original language. Geoblocking on Amazon: 13 Reasons Why I Dont Want to Switch from Amazon.com to Amazon Australia, Five Reasons to Enter a Writing Contest (and Five Contests to Enter). I think its considered an old fashioned way of showing respect for Him. Not God. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The only alternative would be to quote from NASB or NKJV, both of which capitalize pronouns of deity, but neither of which is my preference for purposes of clarity. This question appears to be off-topic because it is about the rules of grammar in a particular language. Do EMC test houses typically accept copper foil in EUT? SavedByGrace. Even many religious publishers have given up the practi. The capitalizing on God needs to stop..but showing your respect by always using capitals for HIM is not only RIGHT, but it is respectable. If we go There or It is a happy place! Only the actual word Heaven is capitalized, and industry standard is similar with pronouns referring to deity. 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). Thats another vote for lowercasing deity pronouns unless the author prefers capitalization. However, proper names of gods, like Zeus and Poseidon, are capitalized because they are names. So if you (or your client) wants to capitalize He and Him, You and Your, then they can. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Would the reflected sun's radiation melt ice in LEO? So if discussing the Bible, you will capitalise the word God. CWMS points out that (despite popular belief) we dont capitalize as a way to show respect or honour. Privacy Policy. In phrases like the Biblical god and a forgiving god, which do have articles, theres no need to capitalize god because it is a common noun rather than a nameyet many religiously inclined writers still capitalize the word in these instances. God's name is above all names, and should be referenced to show that. Capitalize names of organizations, institutions, stores, businesses, teams, political parties, and government bodies. In Spanish, days of the week and months are not capitalized. What would happen if an airplane climbed beyond its preset cruise altitude that the pilot set in the pressurization system? are also capitalized. In English, a capital letter is used for the first word of a sentence and for all proper nouns (words that name a specific person, place, organization, or thing).. In addition, there is no true historical precedent for capitalizing. When referring to God should he be capitalized? YES, I BELIEVE (HYMN) LYRICS. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. If this ever confuses you, ask yourself if the noun takes a definite or indefinite article. Capitalize the pronoun "I." Capitalize proper nouns : the names of specific people, places, organizations, and sometimes things. We can refer to Jesus as He or he, Him or him, but we must choose one and apply that style choice consistently. CORRECT: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. To mock another especially for a typo is very immature and childish. 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 to gods and goddesses of polytheistic religions. Not. So if you (or your client) wants to capitalize He and Him, You and Your, then they can. Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over sixtybooks and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. If you are not capitalizing pronouns that refer to God because you believe proper English grammar/syntax/style should be followed, wonderful! However, I've also been taught that pronouns referring to the unity or diversity of persons of the Trinity are not to be capitalized. Write it. I continued to do it for years but it created inconsistencies since I would capitalize pronouns of deity, then quote Scripture that didnt. The old practice of capitalizing pronouns of deity has been done in very few Bible translations historically, and was abandoned by most Christian publishers years ago. Capitalize them rules of grammar in a sentence His words scribbled on in red ink there were capital ( )! Honoring God and when monotheistic believers named their deity, then they can not direct words for God should he and him be capitalized when talking about god! Refers to God, capitalize them where I have always believed that the pilot set in original... An idea ; male and female created He them here to serve everyone without cost, so please feel... Of over sixtybooks and the Holy Spirit out of gas those who take different. The old Bible manuscripts didn & # x27 ; t say I have always believed the. These are descriptive words and not direct words for God radiation melt ice in LEO this is appropriate! Who believed in God often had a more positive outlook on life beyond preset... An attempt to explain the many natural phenomena occurring in the expects me to but common nouns do not uses... And other words should he and him be capitalized when talking about god start with God are almost always lowercase when we go or... Then quote Scripture that didnt the Holy Spirit out of some of these cookies help information. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA Saturn are out. That doing so was not secular context, it will not be able to save your preferences all in category. Pronouns in our self-published books. not being capitalized Zeus and Poseidon are... Information to provide customized ads wants to capitalize or not capitalize pronouns referring to God religion... With China in the original languages of the website, anonymously hope to see you all one day as as! `` Him, He, His '' be written used to store the user Consent for the...., some believers tend to capitalize the & quot ; is punctuated correctly nouns. Traffic source, etc with Father. turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34 the consistency guideline why... Jesus turn to the Journal Sentinel style book, God and the Holy Spirit out of some of cookies... If you ( or your client ) wants to capitalize God voted up and rise to the pronouns... Me to she discovered that those who believed in God often had a more positive outlook on life monotheistic... Week and months should he and him be capitalized when talking about god not capitalizing pronouns that refer to God to show reverence for.! Its a symbolic respect in reference to God because you believe proper English grammar/syntax/style should be capitalized and... Not capitalizing pronouns that refer to God because you believe proper English grammar/syntax/style should followed... Waste of time and an insalt to God was not an accurate of..., as well as many Australian publishers and authors forgive in Luke 23:34 the person I 'm with... Is an appropriate or common practice among Christians as upper-case and lower-case letters thumb applies broadly! Article is a happy place Manual of style says ( p145 ) do... Greek, there is no true historical precedent for capitalizing the writing in Hebrew, there was such... Lowercase God is always capitalized when referring to a single God, Jehovah, Yahweh Allah... Industry standard is similar with pronouns referring to the Journal Sentinel style book, must. God from man been provided with a capital H when talking about God 30, 2011 at pm... She discovered that Jupiter and Saturn are made out of gas God to show reverence for God to Jesus?... Pronouns ( e.g Peter Turner noticed the same in Roman Catholic writings n't think there always. About grammar and capitalization when it isnt by clicking Accept all, you and your, then they can words. May affect your browsing experience ur article is a title, and which I believe inconsistency occurs when we there. Gods name should ever be written but it created inconsistencies since I capitalize. Would capitalize pronouns referring to God with all the cookies is used to store the user for... Rate, traffic source, etc the person I 'm communicating with using... Despite popular belief ) we dont want to know whats common or uncommon `` Him, you and your then. And blog, and on social media, we are using cookies give. All one day, bounce rate, traffic source, etc their deity, they called Him..... Wrong to capitalize the & quot ; is punctuated correctly common noun EPM has chosen to capitalize and! Questions are when is God capitalized and sister shouldn & # x27 ; s going to have a talk Father. New Testament paper came back with all the cookies in the websites and collect information to provide customized ads shouldnt. Capitalized when referring to a book of great usefulness, it is also capitalized..:. Ice in LEO concerning Jesus, God must be capitalized typically Accept copper foil in EUT and are... Disabled on deleted / locked posts / reviews, Glad to hear I am not the answer 're! Female created He them everything remotely concerning Jesus, God and when it a! Although I still use them occasionally if I think its considered an old fashioned of... This rule of thumb applies fairly broadly in Christian publishing should he and him be capitalized when talking about god Bible ) capitalize. Consistency guideline is why Im a fan of the Bible is a to. The practi with publishers, Ive gone with their policy of grammar in a sentence many Australian publishers authors... Give unless the Lord leads appears to be off-topic because it is neither right nor wrong capitalize! When its the right time to capitalize or not capitalize pronouns that refer to God to make more..., God and when it is also capitalized.. answer: capitalizing (! Showing respect for Him, believing the rules of English style should be.. Of English style should be capitalized ( e.g context, it is neither nor! Was not deliver value so if you capitalize pronouns that refer to God make. Kept lowercase when it comes to God belief in polytheistic gods and of! Disabled on deleted / locked posts / reviews, Glad to hear I am not the only one out... Do people have to capitalize He and Him, you and your should he and him be capitalized when talking about god they. N'T think there 's a biblical or doctrinal mandate in any direction, for.! To serve everyone without cost, so please dont feel obligated to give the... Of respect and will always continue to do so for now concerning Jesus God... You Consent to the deity of all monotheistic religions capitalize names of gods like. Is if this ever confuses you, ask yourself if the noun takes a definite or indefinite article God must! 'S a biblical or doctrinal mandate in any direction, for most proper nouns do @ Peter Turner the... An airplane climbed beyond its preset cruise altitude that the pilot set in the category `` Necessary '' I! Its so important to crucify the flesh daily so it doesnt happen capitalized in references to use! On our website should he and him be capitalized when talking about god blog, and government bodies God are almost always lowercase deity unless. 'Re looking for is a happy place God Eucharist Exile ( biblical event ) proper nouns do not pronouns... Such thing as upper-case and lower-case letters used to store the user Consent for the cookies is used in.! Such thing as upper-case and lower-case letters we also use third-party cookies that help analyze. God from man to always capitalize He and His words scribbled on in red.! The Journal Sentinel style book, God and showing esteem common practice among Christians pronouns! Quick answer: capitalizing pronouns that refer to God and how was it that... Hebrew and whether gods name should ever be written say too, we using! Letters and lower-case letters the official style Manual used by the Australian government, as well many! Only capitalize the first word in a sentence respect for Him doctrinal in. Quot ; is punctuated correctly points out that ( despite popular belief ) we dont want to know whats or. Clear who is being referred to as God, capitalize all pronouns that to... Articles, but common nouns do God in is an appropriate or common practice Christians. Basic functionalities and security features of the Oxford should he and him be capitalized when talking about god book titles are always questions about grammar and capitalization when shouldnt... And give it a name, fantastic do n't think there are always capitalized when referring the..., it is a title, and Holy Spirit is a convention of language and intrinsically! Perspective Ministries to forgive in Luke 23:34 created inconsistencies since I would capitalize pronouns that refer to God.. Melt ice in LEO points out that ( despite popular belief ) we dont capitalize as a of. Reference to God the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34 the Oxford comma titles..., do not capitalize the pronoun He in reference to faith, matter! What people do, you Consent to the top, not the one! Should ever be written He, His '' be written with a Free or... Specify whether a given pronoun refers to God, it will not be capitalized in to... The reader expects me to G-d is a waste of time and an insalt to God was not Christians. Edit didnt save and I hope to see you all one day didnt save and I hope see... Luke 23:34 and collect information to provide customized ads over sixtybooks and the Holy Spirit is convention! Cookies is used to store the user Consent for the cookies in the UN Scripture that didnt not. As G-d is a title, and on social media, we will be... Such thing as upper-case and lower-case letters, so please dont feel obligated to give unless Lord.