Genesis 4:26 | And to Seth also a son was born,
and he called him Enosh. At that time
men began to invoke the name of the LORD.
to call upon,לִקְרֹ֖א (liq·rō)
Strong's Hebrew 7121: To call, proclaim, read
liq·rō — 20 Occurrences
Albert Barnes, American Theologian [1798-1870]
A son is born to Sheth also, whom he calls Enosh.
In this name there is probably an allusion to the
meaning of sickliness & dependence which belongs
to the root.
These qualities were now found to be characteristic
of man in his present state.
The closing sentence signalizes a remarkable event,
which took place at the birth of Enosh, about 240 years
after the creation of Adam.
"Then was it begun to call upon the name of the LORD."
The solemn invocation of GOD by HIS proper name in
audible & social prayer & praise is the most usual
meaning of the phrase now before us, & is to be
adopted unless there be something in the context
or the circumstances demanding another meaning.
This involves also the first of the meanings given
above, as we call GOD by HIS name in oral worship.
It includes the third in one of its forms, as in praise
we proclaim the name of our GOD.
And it leads to the second, as those who call on the
name of the LORD are themselves called the
children of GOD.
Some change is here intimated in the mode of
approaching GOD in worship.
The gist of the sentence, however, does not lie in
the name "Yahweh".
For this term was not then new in itself, as it was
used by Eve at the birth of Cain;
nor was it new in this connection, as the phrase
now appears for the first time, & Yahweh is the
ordinary term employed in it ever afterward to
denote the true GOD.
As a proper name, Yahweh is the fit & customary
WORD to enter into a solemn invocation.
It is, as we have seen, highly significant.
It speaks of the Self-existent One,
the Author of all existing things, &
in particular of man;
the SELF-manifest, who has shown HIMSELF
merciful & gracious to the returning penitent,
& with HIM keeps promise & covenant.
Hence, it is the custom itself of calling on the
name of Yahweh, of addressing GOD by HIS
proper name, which is here said to have
been commenced.
At first sight, with our habits & associations, it
seems a very strange thing that calling upon
the name of the LORD should only begin
235 years after the creation of man.
But let us endeavor to divest ourselves of these
limitations, & rise to the primeval simplicity of
man's thoughts in regard to GOD.
We read of GOD speaking to man in paradise,
but not of man speaking to GOD.
In the examination that preceded the sentence
passed upon the transgressors, we hear Adam
& Eve replying to the questions of GOD, but
not venturing to open a conversation with the
MOST HIGH.
If the feeling of reverence & solemn awe did not
permit such a liberty before the fall, much more
would the super-added sense of guilt after that
event restrain man from making any advances
toward the infinitely HOLY BEING whom he
had so wantonly offended.
The rebuking examination, the judicial sentence,
& the necessary execution of this sentence in its
preliminary form, were so prominent & impressive
as to throw into the background any intimations
of the divine mercy with which they were
accompanied.
The latter, however, were not unnoticed, or
without a salutary effect on the primeval pair.
Adam believed the indications of mercy, whether
in WORD or deed, which GOD gave him.
Faith was prompt & natural in that early stage
of comparative nearness to GOD, to HIS
manifest presence & HIS conspicuous wonders
of creative power.
It was also a native tendency of the human breast,
& would be so still, had we not become so
sophisticated by education that doubt has come
to be the prominent attitude of our minds.
This faith of the first pair led to confession;
not directly, however, to GOD, but indirectly in
the names Adam gave his wife,
& Eve her first-born son.
Here humble, distant, self-condemning faith
solilloquizes, or, at most, the penitent pair
converse in humble hope about the mercy of
the MOST HIGH.
The bringing of an offering to GOD was a step
in advance of this penitent, humble, submissive,
self-accusing faith.
It was the exact counterpart & representation by
a well-devised symbol of the nature of the
offerer's faith.
It was therefore a confession of faith
& certain accompanying
feelings toward GOD
by a symbolic act.
It was quite natural that this mute sign should
precede the actual address.
The consequences, however, of the approach
of Cain & Abel were calculated to deepen
again the feeling of dread, & to strike the onlooker
mute in the presence of the HIGH & HOLY ONE.
Still would this be so in that infantile state of
man when one thought would take full
possession of the soul, until another was plainly
& directly brought before the attention.
In this simple, unsophisticated state of the penitent,
we can conceive him to resign himself passively
to the merciful will of that MAKER whom he has
grievously offended, without venturing to breathe
a wish or even to lift up a note of thanksgiving.
Such mute acquiescence in the divine will for
235 years was well-befitting the humble penitents
of that infantile age, standing in solemn awe under
a sense of their own demerit & of the
infinite holiness of the MAJESTY on HIGH.
There were even an eloquent pathos & power
in that tacit reverence suited to move the heart
of the All-searching SPIRIT more than 10,000
voices less deeply penetrated with a sense of
the guilt of sin & the beauty of holiness.
At length, however, Sheth was given to Eve, &
accepted by her as a substitute for Abel.
Enosh, the child of sorrow, was born to him.
Collateral with this line of descent, & all the
anxieties & desires which it involved, was the
growth of a class of men who were of the
spirit of Cain, & receded further & further
from GOD.
In these circumstances of growing iniquity on
the one hand, & growing faith on the other,
believing reason comes to conceive the full
import of the mercy of GOD, freely & fully
accepts of pardon, & realizes the peace &
privilege which it bestows.
Growing man now comprehends all that is
implied in the proper name of GOD, יהוה
YEHOVAH, "YHWH," the Author of being,
of promise, & of performance.
He finds a tongue, & ventures to express the
desires & feelings that have been long pent
up in his breast, & are now bursting for
utterance.
These petitions & confessions are now made
in an audible voice, & with a holy urgency &
courage rising above the depressing sense
of self-abasement to the confidence of peace
& gratitude.
These adorations are also presented in a
social capacity, & thereby acquire a public
notoriety.
The father, the older of the house, is the
master of words, & he becomes the spokesman
of the brotherhood in this new relationship into
which they have spontaneously entered with
their FATHER in heaven.
The spirit of adoption has prompted
the confiding & endearing terms,
"ABBA, FATHER,"
& now the winged words ascend to heaven,
conveying the adorations & aspirations of the
assembled saints.
The new form of worship attracts the attention
of the early world, & the record is made,
"Then began they to call upon
the name of the LORD,
WHO keeps covenant & mercy.
Here we perceive that the holy race
has passed beyond its infancy.
It has learned to speak with GOD in the language
of faith, of conscious acceptance, of freedom,
of hope, of love.
This is a far nobler attainment than the invention
of all the arts of life.
It is the return from that revulsive dread with which
the conscious sinner shrank back from the felt
holiness of GOD.
It is the drawing of the divine mercy & love let into
the penitent soul, by which it has come to itself, &
taken courage to return to the merciful YAHWEH,
& speak to HIM the language of penitence, of
confession, of gratitude.
These believing penitents, chiefly it is to be
supposed in the line of Sheth, of which this
paragraph speaks,
began to be distinguished as
the followers of the LORD;
whereas others at the same time had forgotten
the LORD, & renounced even the form of
reverence for HIM.
The seed of the woman was now distinguished
from the seed of the serpent.
The latter are in a spiritual sense called
"the seed of the serpent," because they cling
to the principles of the tempter;
& the former may in the same sense be
designated "the seed or sons of GOD,"
because they follow after HIM as the
GOD of mercy & truth.
Thus, the lamentable fact obtrudes itself upon
our view that a portion of the human family
have persisted in the primeval apostasy,
& are no longer associated with their
fellows in acknowledging their
common MAKER.
The progress of moral evil in the antediluvian
world was manifested in fratricide, in going out
from the presence of the LORD,
in personal violence, & in polygamy.
The first is the normal character of all murder;
the second gave scope for the third, the daring
& presumptuous violence of the strong;
& the fourth ultimately led to an almost total
corruption of manners.
It is curious to observe that ungodliness, in the
form of disobedience & departure from GOD &
therefore of the practical breach of the first
commandment, & unrighteousness in the form
of murder, the crime of masterful passion &
violence, which is the transgression of the
first commandment concerning our neighbor,
are the starting-points of sin in the world.
They do not seem to have yet reached
idolatry & adultery.
This appears to point out that the prohibitions
into which the law is developed in the
Ten Commandments are arranged in the
order of time as well as of nature.
The preceding chapters, if written in substance
by Adam, formed the primeval BIBLE of mankind.
But, whether written at that time or not, they contain
the leading facts which occurred in the early history
of man in relation to his MAKER.
These facts were well known to the antediluvian
world, & formed the rule by which it was to be
guided in approaching to GOD, presenting to
HIM an acceptable offering, calling upon HIS
Name, & so walking with HIM in peace & love.
Here we have all the needful germs of a
GOSPEL for the infantile race.
If we ask why they were not effectual, the
answer is at hand.
They were effectual with a few, & are thereby
proved sufficient to recover man from sin, &
vindicate the mercy of GOD.
But the All-Wise BEING, who made man a moral
agent, must thoroughly guard HIS freedom,
even in the dealings of mercy.
And in the folly & madness
of their self-will, some will
revolt more & more.
The history was written for our learning.
Let its lessons be pondered.
Let the accumulated experience of bygone
wanderings recorded in the Book of GOD
be our warning, to return at length with our
whole heart to our merciful FATHER.
Source: @hed___mee_ via @delta-breezes
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Essential Aseity and the Eastern Fathers
Scholar Nathan Jacobs argues that the Eastern fathers do not hold to a view of essential aseity. Now, given the predominance of essential aseity in much Western trinitarian thought, such a view might seem rather scandalous.
Jacob’s, on the other hand, sees it as simply an entailment of the Eastern fathers moderate realism. He supports his claim by way of contrast with the Eunomian view of natures.
The Eunomian case places the principle of existence in nature rather than subject. In other words, the Eunomian instinct is that existence...is essential to the divine nature. Hence, any subject having the divine nature has existence by virtue of being divine.
On the Eunomian view, the Son who is begotten and originate, cannot be of and identical with the divine nature, which is itself the principle of existence. Aseity is proper to natures and the Son, who is begotten, is not a se. He must be of a different nature than the having-no-cause-whatsoever (a se) Father.
More than that, the Father must be “of a nature that is ontologically superior to that of the Son and the Holy Spirit--the Father being unoriginate (or a se), while the Son and the Spirit are originate (not a se).”
The Eastern fathers, on the other hand:
...being moderate realists, reject the point. Existence is never a property, accidental or essential, of natures. Existence is only ever located in subjects that give concrete reality to natures – hence their use of hypostasis, or that which exists underneath a nature.
He explains further:
...the Eastern fathers make clear that natures are mere abstractions that lack stability (stasis, playing on the term hypostasis) and thus require a hypostasis to supply concrete existence. This is why they also insist that the hypostasis is logically anterior to the nature. That is to say, the nature stands upon the individual, not vice versa. Put otherwise, individuals exist; natures subsist in individuals. And to be clear, the Eastern fathers do not make an exception for things divine.
This approach of the Eastern fathers has a startling implication:
Applied to the Trinity, this means that the Father exists a se (in himself); the divine nature subsists in the Father. Thus, there is no "essential aseity," since the divine nature does not (and cannot) exist in itself...Since aseity implies having no cause whatsoever, the term is applicable to the Father only, according to Eastern patristic thought.
This Eastern fathers’ view of natures and its application to the Trinity is what counters the Eunomian position that only the Father can be of the divine nature.
On the Eastern fathers’ view, because aseity is an incommunicable idiomata of the Father’s hypostasis, the begotten Son and spirated Spirit can both be of the divine nature.
In other words, the Son and Spirit can be both fully divine--fully identical to the divine nature--and yet remain begotten and spirated, respectively, while the Father alone is a se--”having no cause whatsoever.”
Using the logic that arises from their view of natures, Jacobs says the Eastern fathers push further into their disagreement with the Eunomian position:
The Cappadocians point out that the Eunomians commit a category error in this claim [the Father is ontologically superior because he is a se], confusing efficient cause (how a thing is) with formal cause (what a thing is). All three have the same nature but the Father has it from no one, while the Son has it by begetting and the Spirit by spiration. Just as Adam, Eve, and Abel have three different efficient causes (unbegotten of man, proceeding from Adam, and begotten of Adam) but share a common nature, and are thus ontological equals, so the divine hypostases differ in efficient cause (unbegotten, begotten, and procession) but share a common nature, being ontological equals [in other words, not subordinate].
Thoughts
If Jacob’s reading of the Eastern fathers is correct, it has important historical and theological significance for pro-Nicene logic and trinitarianism.
Importantly, for my interests, this view also accords beautifully with the strong Monarchy of the Father view of the Trinity. The one God is the Father, the a se hypostasis. He is the source and cause of the Son and the Spirit (with all the appropriate qualifications, of course).
Additionally, because the Father is the principle of existence, not the divine nature, it is he that communicates his nature to the Son and the Spirit. They are identical to his divine nature. They are homoousios with him. The Father then is both the source of unity and distinction in the Trinity.
An important question is how might Jacob’s observation be understood in light of Western or Latin views that argue for the essential aseity of the Son? I’d love to hear from others on that question.
My only caution, as I’ve written about before, is that as this question is addressed that we not flatten or bend pro-Nicene trinitarianism so as to remake it in the image of current in-favor idioms.
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//No prompt needed, but lately I’ve been wanting to express how much this community has impacted my experience positively and I want to take the time to give special shout-outs to those who make me smile when I see them show up:
@kiealer - Starting off strong with you, my dear. You’re genuinely one of the sweetest souls here and I care for you so, so much. Part of the reason I’m making this post is because you’re much too hard on yourself over things you can’t control. You’ve ruined nothing, and people are only weary because of what a shitty person did. Nothing to be done there and I have often prayed for your heart to be healed with time. One step at a time baby, I swear you are never alone in any of this. I can guarantee no one will give you issues over your comfort ship without getting instantly pistol whipped. NazuBlack IS CANON and you have every right to post headcanons, share shippy pics and gush as much as you like to whomever you want. Who the hell can tell you ‘no?’ YOUR CITY, YOUR RULES.
We’re in the middle of a fantastic RP over discord (I NEED TO REPLY BTW, I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR THE WAIT) and it’s made me realize I shouldn’t have to be so shy in gushing about CellDew, YOU helped me get a lot more comfortable in my skin, that is no exaggeration. I’m not here to force you to post anything, Kona, it’s how you feel and what you want to do. You deserve to be comfortable and feel fluffy goodness with your OTP, damn it don’t WE ALL? Guess I’m gonna have to knock your inbox down with prompts just because I want to feed into my fav ship around the block. You owe nothing to no one, don’t ever apologise for running your blog the way you want to. Be indulgent, make it known that NazuBlack is here to stay! Believe me, I’m not going to let anyone tell you otherwise without a size 12 boot up their ass.
@saiyanandproud - Can I just say that I’ve been secretly a big fan of Mariko for well over a year? ;0; Sometimes get a little embarrassed over that fact, but our rp’s have really picked up recently and it’s making me thankful that we actually have a proper theme going on between our babies!! ;w; I love seeing all of Mariko’s little shenanigans on the dash with everyone, her personal relationships blooming while she herself is growing as a person with every thread I peek into. Like I’ve stated previously, for an OC based around a limited concept of being a time patroller, she really extends her reach past her occupation. Mariko is a well rounded OC who aspires for genuine recognition as a hero, even if she dares to fly a little too close to the sun. She’s nobody’s fool, incredibly straightforward and a fantastic friend. All that aside, you’re such a humble mun and I enjoy even just holding little conversations about our day or how you’ve been holding up. Seriously, I’m glad you’ve stuck around tumblr this long for us to write great stories together! I’m positive any veterans familiar with her would be so damn happy to see she’s as active as ever!
@viopolis - It started with my HUGE juicy eyes over the fact an actual Dr.Gero graced this community, but my Lord did I absolutely stay for your highly talented world building with Dek, Khett, Nucleo, and many more OC’s that deserve equal praise. I love digging into your posts involving the Aseity, what it means for everyone involved aboard the vessel and how it connects them together. I envy that level of dedication with story weaving, how it fits so perfectly even with canon characters like Cell-- oh MAN speaking OF HIM. You’re the only other person I’ve met who understands how green mean bastard bug functions without adding unnecessary traits to his personality. Your basically my Cell twin in that regard, some minor differences for sure, but generally on the same page. THAT, AND CLEO! MY ADOPTED GOTH SON. Each time I see his face is the moment I feel my arms wanting to hug the computer monitor, like... Wow, I love him just as much as I do Cyto and thats a lotta love. I certainly WILL NOT forget about Dek because they’re a mischievous alien CREATURA I wish to smoosh with my hands respectfully. Look I just... I really love all your muses dude, absolutely blessed to have a chance to interreact with any of them! Not to mention you yourself as a mun are VERY COOL AND SWAGGY, it’s nice to share ideas and squeal equally about it all. Again, massive props, you deserve every drop of it.
@risingsouls - You are the lady with FIREY LAZER OPINIONS and damn it Momo, I admire that energy. I love the passion you hold over Nabs, Vegeta, all the muses you carry tightly in your protective fist because YOU’VE WORKED SO HARD ON THEM. The beautiful amount of time you’ve placed into writing your story, how many chapters you’ve reached because YOUR PASSION is damn near unrivalled by the majority here. I envy you massively for having accomplished so much writing and character exploration the way you want to, like... I salute you baby, you’ve shown everyone here that your dedication for you precious babbies are not to be trifled with. On top of that, you’re generally a very chill mun to hang with and are open to playing games and having good times. OH, and of course when YA GOT THE TEA... ALWAYS HAPPY TO LISTEN. I know I’ve been major absentee lately, but I want you to know I’m always admiring near or far. I’m glad to know that despite everything, you truck on and push forward through all the shit you’re given. Momo the STRONG. Momo the inspiration. I NEED whatever juice you be sipping to get into gear and JUST... WRITE MY OFFICIAL CELLDEW STORY ALREADY.
@synthetixviola - Lets be real, you run one of the BADDEST BITCHES in this RPC. I love a baker who could kick my ass up and down the street and serve me a cake with “sorry u lost most of your teeth” written neatly in icing. I really got to know her through the awesome tournament Momo was running and I just... Love all her energy + bonus relatable mom moments. She’s a beauty, she’ll rip open someones asshole on a whim, she’ll sell you something nice on the side and be a wonderful example of how Gero ruined her life with the android shenanigans. I can’t blame her hate boner for the RR army, who really could in her position? No one can deny that Lila is a fantastic OC and I’m so happy that I can see her beautiful purple hair grace my dash when you post. Also, can I just say that you’re also so very cool and easy to chat with? Seriously, stay coolio because you’re one of the cooliest ;3c
@unboundpower - THE GREAT AND POWERFUL USER OF ACTUALLY VERY WELL WRITTEN FUSION FRIENDS, THANK GOD. Seriously Nebula, before you really made yourself prominent here was when there was some... Not so great Gogeta / Vegito / Four blogs kicking around and I can’t say it was terribly interesting. You have every right to gatekeep what you’ve built for yourself and your handsome boys, because you’ve fleshed them out so well that I don’t think many can match your energy. Give yourself credit where it’s due, you’re running characters that are a little more challenging to write and you do it so naturally. The complexities of being themselves, owning up to their own love lives as individuals, the break away from just being ‘fusions’ of Goku and Vegeta and BECOMING a new soul altogether. I’m so happy to see how far each lad has grown and I love seeing your shippy stuff with Nabs ;3c It’s just plain adorbs ya’ll, love to SEE IT. Plus you’re a sweet and cool mun who DESERVES hugs and pats for just being you! Also, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, apologies for not wishing that for you sooner!! I hope you’ve been having better days ahead!!
UMM I’D POINT THE CAMERA TO THOSE I HAVEN’T MENTIONED BUT YOU ALL ROCK IN YOUR OWN UNIQUE WAYS!! Seriously, you guys are what keep me coming back to this hellsite, it’s nice to see everyone enjoying themselves and having fun with one another in peace. It’s what I want to keep seeing as long as I’m around to witness the fun! Thanks for keeping this community sparkling, you’re very much appreciated for being here.
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