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by Kevin Pauley
Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don't be stiff-necked any longer. For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords (in Hebrew Adonai adonaim), the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe. - Deuteronomy 10:16-17 HCSB
The Methodist denomination takes its name from the “methodical” approach John Wesley used with the Scriptures. Baptists gained their name due to their emphasis on the necessity of post-conversion baptism by immersion. Presbyterians are known for their hierarchical structure based on the Greek concept of the “presbuteroi”. “Quaker” refers to the followers of that particular movement “quaking” or trembling under the influence of their ecstatic experience.
Adonai is a Hebrew name of God that literally means “Lord.” Yahweh is considered not only “Lord” but actually “Adonai adonaim” or “Lord of lords.” Adonaism takes its name from its emphasis on this lordship of God.
Adonaists believe that what is important is neither intellectual methodology, nor external rites, nor hierarchical ecclesiology nor ecstatic experience. We believe that nothing is more important than a person’s redemption from the consequences of sin and the restoration of the human/divine relationship. Adonaists believe that this redemption is dependent on our humble acquiescence to the sovereignty of God in our lives.
Adonaists claim the carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth, was the only begotten Son of God, God in Flesh. As such He is our Messiah and rightful King. We believe that those who not only profess but actually live this truth[1] are granted admittance into the Kingdom of God.[2] God’s merciful act of paying the wages of our sin and liberating us from Satan’s dark kingdom[3] often drives the Adonaist to refer to God as the Redeemer (in Hebrew Ga’al) and to the believers as the Ransomed.
Like the infamous Prodigal Son, the Adonaist recognizes the futility of his pursuits and resolves to return to the father, honestly admit the error of his ways, humbly accede to being nothing more than a household servant and throw himself upon the Father’s mercy.
Adonaism teaches that like the godly father in the story of the Prodigal Son, when we draw near to God, humbly confessing our sins and repenting of them, the Lord not only forgives, but actually adopts us into His family, turning us into Jews much as He did our spiritual ancestor Abraham (a concept referred to as “ezrach’”[4] or “native”).[5]
This emphasis on the grafting of the believer into the House of Israel strongly characterizes the culture of Adonaism. A profound interest in the Hebrew language, culture and mindset heavily influences the interpretation and application of the Scriptures. Many Jewish terms are used simply because there are no counterparts for the concepts in our modern languages. The Hebrew names of God are also heavily referred to, especially in the devotional life of Adonaists.
Finally, Adonaic theology is built upon three pillars: What we believe (called imrah, literally God’s Word or doctrine); what we are (called mussar or character development); and what we do (called tzedekah or right living).
[2] Matthew 21:31; Mark 1:15; 10:15; Luke 13:28-29
[4] Strong’s Hebrew #249
[5] Romans 2:27-29 cp Matthew 3:7-12; Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:22-23
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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