Pentecost is the coming Sunday, May 23 commemorating the arrival of the Holy Spirit and is often called the birthday of the church. The word Pentecost means “fiftieth day,” as it is celebrated fifty days after Easter.
I have been listening to what others have to say about the Trinity– God, Jesus, and Spirit- and how they address them. The words they chose give us a glimpse into their faith.
Many people know God and they describe their relationship with familiar names: God the Creator, Lord, Yahweh, the Holy One.
One of my favorites is Abba. I love the intimacy of that word.
God the Father took me a long time to embrace since my own dad died when I was a teenager and I had to work through abandonment issues. I know God the Father is difficult for many others too, but God can heal those wounds.
Next, I hear beautiful names for Jesus: Alpha and Omega, Savior, Morning Light, Emmanuel, Christ, Master, Son of God, the Way, Good Shepherd, and so many more.
But since this is Pentecost, I have been eavesdropping what others say about the Holy Spirit. What do they call her?
I hear Spirit. Then silence.
There doesn’t seem to be the same intimacy, familiarity, and depth to names for this member of the Trinity. A nearness is missing for folks.
Here are words I use:
- Advocate
- Comforter
- Helper
- Sophia
Sophia is my favorite. Sophia is biblical for Wisdom.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesian 1:17
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding.” Isaiah 11: 2
Sophia is personal and implies a deep bonding connection. I feel my defenses lower and my ego lessened in her presence using this name.
Spirit is breath, pneuma, and in Greek this is a feminine word. Now I don’t believe God is only male and the Spirit only female. God is much more that our measly categories and the boxes we try (and fail) to squeeze the Trinity into, but I know it helps me to use a female name and brings me closer to God. I am pretty sure God understands my limited human mind and heart.
Using a cherished name for the Holy Spirit has brought a new perspective for me for Pentecost. I love the story of the tongues of fire, cacophony of languages, and swirling wind of change and power. I get excited!
- Sophia is alive.
- Sophia is active.
- Sophia is our advocate.
- Sophia is our anchor.
- Sophia is our awesome and almighty God.
Aren’t we so blessed by God who offers so many ways to come into his/her presence and be known, seen, and loved?
Pentecost excites me as much as Christmas and Easter. And I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit’s work, patience, and companionship in my life.
What are some of your favorite names for God, Jesus, and the Spirit?
PS. I updated the Pentecost resource page with newer webpage references. Enjoy!
Praise God for the Trinity, 3 in one. The Spirit comforts, convicts, guides us into all truth, teaches us what to say. I’m so grateful every need is met by the Trinity.
amen and amen!
In the back of the classic Bible study, Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby, he’s listed numerous names for God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit–straight from scripture. I turn to those pages every now and then when I need a fresh perspective. “Shepherd” is a name that fits both Father and Son, and I love the visualization from Isaiah 40:11 of my loving Shepherd-God carrying me close to his heart!
Aren’t we so blessed to have so many names and approaches to God? I love all the names.
I love naming the Spirit “Sophia.” I like to think of the Spirit in this way too, Jean. My previous church used “the Holy Spirit” but my current church drops “the” and just calls him/her “Holy Spirit.” For whatever reason, it makes it seem more personal to me. 🙂
I like that, Lisa. Calling him “Holy Spirit” makes him seem more of a Person than thing–which he’s NOT! Thank you for sharing that.
It is a tender, loving name from me. I almost didn’t share this since it made me feel vulnerable but after I wrote the post it seemed right. Blessings on your weekend,Lisa
You must be channeling me! God is our Father/Mother God, and the Creator and the Incarnate are male in Scripture. So I have for some years now identified the Holy Spirit as the feminine aspect of God and called it Sophia or Wisdom. So naturally I love this blog entry!
Sounds like we are alike spiritually!!
I love this post, Jean, and thinking of the Holy Spirit as Sophia is especially relevant for me right now after just finishing Meggan Wattersons’s fascinating book Mary Magdalene Revealed (about the Gospel of Mary) which I’ve just reviewed on my blog. Not only does this author apply her feminist theology (which can be off-putting, but mostly okay), but she also talks about the Gospel of Mary espousing a doctrine of wisdom (sophiology) rather than a doctrine of salvation (soteriology).
I’ve always called God “God” but think of God as “God the Father.” I was fortunate to have had a wonderful earthly father, so I had no issues with this image. I’ve always called Holy Spirit “Spirit,” but I love “Sophia” for all the reasons you and others have mentioned and will start using it.
I confess that in spite of my ardent seeking, Jesus as the living Christ has been more elusive and I tend to call on God and Spirit more in my prayers.
I will have to check out that book. Thanks for the great suggestion. Interesting Jesus is the one more elusive for you. I find that helpful to know this as it widens my understanding of how everyone’s spirituality is so different.Happy weekend,Elizabeth!
Hes Papa God to me…knowing full well He is everything …the Almighty..maker of heaven and earth…but ive always wondered abt the female end of the trinity…for us ladies we need a mama…Holy Spirit could be Her!!…thank you jean…Peace be with you…
love PAPA – so tender and loving.
I love that you call the Holy Spirit, Sophia, Jean. It is so very personal! And yes, she is our guide, our advocate and the source of God’s wisdom in our lives. May your Pentecost be blessed!
yes it is personal and very vulnerable too. Aren’t we so blessed!