Thank Goodness?
Posted by Vanity of Vanities! on November 9, 2009
What does that even mean? Who is this goodness? Why do we thank her instead of thanking the God of our salvation?
I’ve often wondered why well-meaning people stop themselves from thanking God. Is it somehow perceived as taking the name of God in vain or something? It boggles my mind.
Amanda said
Historically, I think “Thank God” has been viewed as taking the Lord’s Name in vain, because people would use the remark flippantly rather than actually meaning that they were thankful to Him for whatever occurred. At times, I find myself saying, “Thank goodness” when I really do mean, “Thank God.” Usually, because “Thank God” has the ring of irreverence to me (because culturally it was handed down to me as taking His Name in vain), I will say, “Thank the Lord” instead. Somehow, in my warped BBB mind, “Lord” is not taking His Name in vain, while “God” is…
I admit, it’s dumb. Yes, very dumb.
Vanity of Vanities! said
I can see the flippant thing; I kind of figured that was the case. But, people say it quite sincerely, too…
“Thank goodness that car stopped when it did; we could have died!”
No. Thank GOD.