The Name as ‘Anti-pagan’ Monument

Abstract

K.H. Miskotte’s Bijbels ABC, recently translated into English as Biblical ABC s, resources resistance by carefully reading the Hebrew scriptures. This article argues that the central, defining theme of the book is the focus on the Name YHWH as ‘anti-pagan monument par excellence.’ Paganism for Miskotte does not mean the absence of religion nor a particular, polytheistic religion or worldview, but the natural human inclination to declare the existing order sacred. Humanity is profoundly ‘occupied’ and needs the Word, the Name-in-action, in order to be liberated from pagan, religious occupying forces—whether these forces are political, spiritual, military, economical or linguistic. This focus on the ‘anti-pagan’ stance of the Name determines the entire structure of Biblical ABC s, its method and content.