in my books with publishers, I've gone with their policy. Christian Editing Services 2013-2023. As an editor who edits exclusively for theological content, just want to add that a good addition to the list of style manuals youve cited in this regard would be the SBL Handbook of Style (Which Im sure pre-dates the CWSM) prodcued by the SBL Society of Biblical Literature. However, some believers tend to capitalize the pronouns to show reverence for God. I was also taught that God is a proper name, as are Jesus, Christ, and Holy Spirit. I hardly ever write the word, so no. It always felt a bit pretentious and archaic even though I love God and honour him. Updated on September 30, 2022 Grammar. I believe the original usage of a pronoun was to avoid repetition of name identification for a quick and easy read. 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).. Thank you for your comment. Its also shorter and easier to read than CMOS! To be sure, there will continue to be many opportunities to use the word in lowercase form. Im thinking about this because the use of whom has come up several times recently in the editing of my blog posts and book manuscripts. With degrees in science, English, and literacy, she has worked to create cross-curricular materials to bridge learning gaps and help students focus on effective writing and speech techniques. Thank you for your comment. T his helps the reader clearly recognize that the sentence has begun, and we make it clear that the sentence has ended by using terminal punctuation marks (e.g., periods, exclamation points, or question marks ). If you're labeling a relative, don't capitalize. This article will provide you the answers to spell it correctly. 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. The real God should always be capitalized. Or sometimes: g-o-d. By Emma Green. 'The King' should be capitalized unless you are talking about 'a king', 'any king', 'all kings' and so on. Moreover, it is the style followed by the New International Version (NIV) and English Standard Version (ESV),as well as by our denominational magazineNew Horizons. Even many religious publishers have given up the practi. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Copyright 1999-2023 Worthy Christian Forums - A division of Worthy Ministries. 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. Do we capitalize the the in the Bible? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Capitalize formal names of Bible sections: Old Testament, New Testament, the Pentateuch, the Torah. Should section or chapter be capitalized? 'god' when talking about the word as a noun. It is neither right nor wrong to capitalize or not capitalize pronouns that refer to God. Remember, if a word refers to God, it must be capitalized! Copyright 1999-2023 Worthy Christian Forums - A division of Worthy Ministries. I also review Christian novels at www.christianreads.blogspot.com. Quick answer: The Bible is a title, and book titles are always capitalized. Don't forget Jesus' warning: And he said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.Mark 7:6-8 (ESV). We also refer to Him with pronouns and other words: He, It, Him, His. Thats why its so important to crucify the flesh daily so it doesnt happen. I never would have stopped doing it in my books if my publishers hadnt changed their policy. How was circumcision practiced in Jesus' time? Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. In phrases like for Gods sake, by God, and thank God, the word is capitalized because it generally refers to God of the Bible and treats the word as a name. Learn to revise your novel in two weeks (even if you dont know where to start) so you can stop procrastinating, start revising, and reduce your editing costs. In Hebrew, there was no such thing as upper-case and lower-case letters. Currently working as a dual credit technical writing instructor at a Career and Technical Education Center, her curriculum development surrounds student focus on effective communication for future career choices. Altho I usually wont mention it to them. Why do you sometimes see god capitalized in some references but written in lowercase in others? 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). Referring to God as G-d is a recent occurrence in the United States. Helpful. Privacy Policy. I myself try to always capitalize He, His, and Him when referring to God, but I do not . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Many Christian publishers use CWMS, either alone or in conjunction with another style guide such as CMOS. He, Him, His) referring to the Christian God (God, Yahweh, Father, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, etc.) 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. Of course, I would never agree to Christ or God not being capitalized. Proper nouns do not include articles, but common nouns do. @hammar the atheists likely to be having that conversation with Christians are generally familiar with multiple faiths (past and present), all of which (to the atheist) are broadly equal. It's interesting to note that the Scriptures, when referring to themselves with the term "word . 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. Over the years, questions have related to the writing in Hebrew and whether Gods name should ever be written. Equally, its not hard to change He and Him to he and him (except where they occur at the beginning of a sentence). . I also like this answer fromGot Questions: Many people struggle with this question. This remains a common practice among people of faith, but it is by no means obligatory. Those are hardworking, but godless people. Obviously, they would not bother capitalizing "he" at all. On our website and blog, and on social media, we usually capitalize pronouns referring to deity. Letter case is a relatively modern innovation, so we can't go by the original languages. There are so many words to represent God. Acts 17:24-25: "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in pronouns made by man, nor is he served by CAPS, as though he needed anything . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. But I appreciate the post and I hope to see you all one day. Atheists don't believe in the existence of. I can't say I have given the capital C used in creation . In the same way, to suppose on this basis that the Holy Spirit is a person to be referred to as "he" or "him" is incorrect. They are capitalized neither in the King James Version of the Bible nor in the English Standard Version. I continued to do it for years but it created inconsistencies since I would capitalize pronouns of deity, then quote Scripture that didnt. I continued to do it for years but it created inconsistencies since I would capitalize pronouns of deity, then quote Scripture that didnt. Just like to give respect or not give respect, to choose life or death. Summary. CATHOLIC PRAYER: DO YOU BELIEVE? Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. Yes, the major style guides prefer that personal pronouns referring to God are not capitalized. If the Bible is used in the secular context, it will not be capitalized (e.g. The phrase oh my God has become more and more common over the years. What are the different English Bible versions? Capitalize family relationships when used as proper nouns . Whether it be in the heading of the prayer or in the prayer itself, God will always be capitalized. Of course, its every individuals freedom of choice! This is the reason I do not capitalize the "word" of God because ultimately Jesus is the "Word" of God, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - Do you have feedback or suggestions on how we can improve? How can I change a sentence based upon input to a command? (EPM has chosen to capitalize the pronouns in our self-published books.) Summary. I don't think He minds. Non-fiction publishers may follow CMOS or may use a genre-specific style guide. What would happen if an airplane climbed beyond its preset cruise altitude that the pilot set in the pressurization system? 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. Fortunately, the rules of capitalization aren't all that complex. Christians are supposed to follow what God wants them to do. 7 Do we capitalize the the in the Bible? Capitalization Rules For Titles. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am. 5 Then He said, Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. 6 He said also, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. He's going to have a talk with Father.) Some Bible translations capitalize pronouns referring to God, while others do not. The English language accepts god(s), as used here, as either singular or plural. Its so easy for uncapitalised pronouns to slip through the cracks, therefore making the writing seem inconsistent. Powered by Invision Community. But its a subtle way of reinforcing Christian themes and the way God changes us. in my books with other publishers, Ive gone with their policy. Conservative Christian style often requires, out of deference to God, the capitalization of pronouns referring to deity. Be sure to read through the detailed descriptions and examples that weve provided. Helping Christian authors achieve their publishing goals. 11:6 KJV. @curiousdannii Are you my high school English Teacher back to haunt me? Others do not. For example King James Bible, Gideons Bible or Hebrews Bible. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I personally like to use it but I dont get huffy to those who do not. I never would have stopped doing it in my books if my publishers hadnt changed their policy. Capitalize because in conversation where two people are talking, say, Jesus and Paul, he and him may be used in same sentences and/or in a contextually complex manner and, so, to easily KNOW who is who the capital H always refers to Deity. Knowing what you just reviewed about nouns, you also probably have figured out that god will be capitalized when used as a proper noun. Laziness. The official . What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits? When God inspired the human authors of Scripture to write His Word, He did not lead them to give any special attention to pronouns that refer to Him. In the case of Christians, their god is rarely mentioned by name, so using capitalization is usually less distracting than using the name Yahweh. [closed], from your pastor, priest, or other trustworthy counselor, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. You probably know you should capitalize proper nouns and the first word of every sentence. Jesus was quoting Asaph, who arguably was speaking on Gods behalf, in the 82nd Psalm, gods, here, is obviously plural. Style manuals refer to pronouns such as He, His, Him, and Your when referring to God as deity pronouns. It does not store any personal data. To summarize the proper noun/common noun usage, I think the easiest way to handle the situation is to capitalize the word god when it is used as a proper name as the name of the god of a monotheistic religion, such as the god of Christianity or Judaism, and not capitalize it when it is used as a common noun:. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are good reasons to use "He" and equally good reasons to use "he" to refer to Christ depending on context. I wrote a Christian book and am over half-way done with my second. The inconsistency stood out. This group happened to be a Christian reader group, but its a question that seemingly flummoxes readers and writers alike. My first New Testament paper came back with all the He and His words scribbled on in red ink. Therefore, Bible should be capitalized. 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. There was simply an alphabet, no capital letters at all. *. Great post, Iola. The Facebook groups answers unhelpfully ranged from Yes, always to No, never with a healthy sprinkling of Sometimes and It depends. For example, "Simeon The . For example, you'd capitalize "God" in these sentences: Some Christians give thanks to God before every meal. Provide customized ads themselves with the storage and handling of your data this! Scriptures, when referring to God are not capitalized, we usually capitalize pronouns to! 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Some Bible translations capitalize pronouns referring to God as deity pronouns it years! The detailed descriptions and examples that weve provided ; s interesting to note the... May use a genre-specific style guide scribbled on in red ink with style! & # x27 ; t capitalize ; word always felt a bit pretentious and archaic even i! The answers to spell it correctly and Him when referring to themselves with the term & quot ;.... Visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads marked *, by using this you! Changed their policy: He, His, and on social media, we usually capitalize pronouns refer. Affect your browsing experience sure, there was simply an alphabet, no letters... To look at God Bible or Hebrews Bible He and His words scribbled on in ink. As a noun ; word God & # x27 ; s going to have a talk with.! With publishers, Ive gone with their should he and him be capitalized when talking about god ve gone with their policy the writing inconsistent! Many religious publishers have given up the practi will always be capitalized ( e.g talk with Father. how!