Who is God? Every religion, every individual even, has their own idea of who God is. In the article, Joseph Ratzinger discusses the naming of God in the Moses story and how that comes to define God. Ratzinger begins by discussing the different labels people have attributed to beliefs pertaining to the existence of (or nonexistence of) God: monotheism, polytheism, and atheism. He explains how each of these belief systems has some aspect that accepts the unity and uniqueness of the absolute. Ratzinger then goes on to discuss how God is defined in the Moses story. During the burning bush scene, God refers to Himself as “Yahweh.” Ratzinger says that the exact translation of this word isn’t exactly clear, but its roots suggest it could refer to “Being.” In this sense, the Israelites are creating their own name and image for God, providing a “starting point [for] Israel’s nationhood.” But Ratzinger also claims that the uncertainty about the meaning of the name could mean that it’s not necessarily a name – it’s a staple of the mystery that is God. Ratzinger continues by discussing how before this story, God was referred to as “El.” In this sense, people selected a personal God (one who is present and powerful wherever man is) over a local god (one who is locally defined and limited). In the end, Ratzinger concludes that, by naming Himself in the burning bush scene, God is “handing himself over to men in such a way that he can be called upon by them.” In other words, he is saying that “God is one of us.” This brings up a sort of paradox, but the basic idea is that, while on one hand God is a most powerful being, He is also one of us, with us and in us in whatever we do.
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Caroline's Blog 
I strongly agree with your conclusions that God is not only a powerful being but He is one of us. This explains mans’ unique connection with God and how we are also dependent on Him. How do you think this statement has been expressed throughout our readings of the Bible so far?
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Good response. I felt it was a very good summary of Ratzinger, as it was a very long reading. You mention that God is one of us and how that is a paradox, but why? Jesus is the living Word of God, in the flesh. If anything, I think He is the opposite of a paradox, but rather a fulfillment.
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I liked how you brought up Ratzinger’s point about the connection between the mystery of God and the confusion surrounding His name in this part of Scripture. What other aspects of God do you think this progression reflects?
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I think it’s really interesting how you make the point that God could be interpreted as one of us. It’s true that he made us in his likeness, but how similar are humans and God actually? From what we know about names, by giving himself a name, God does seem to be defining himself in some way.
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I definitely agree about the ambiguity of God, especially in His name and what that means for His relationship with us. I also like how you interpreted that God is one of us. In Exodus, God shows that He is powerful in some ways beyond ourselves – like parting the sea. Do you think these displays are proof that He is inherently “above” us?
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