Do you have a theophoric name? If your name is Christoper, you do.
Timothy, Christian, and Elijah are also theophoric names. Female theophoric names include Elizabeth, Christina, and Michelle.
A theophoric name embeds the word “God” or one of God’s names in a person’s name. For example, the name Christian contains “Christ” and means “One who believes in Christ.” The name Elijah comes from Hebrew and means “My God is Jehovah.” Michelle is a form of the Hebrew name Michael, which means “Who is like God?”
Sadly, my name is not theophoric. Andrew simply means “manly” or “macho.” (Most people laugh when I tell them that.)
Ironically, the word theophoric is also theophoric.
It contains God’s name.
Coming from the Greek language, “theophoric” literally means “God-bearer.” One of the first people to use the term was an early Christian named Ignatius, who lived just one generation after Jesus.
Ignatius was the bishop of Antioch in Syria.
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117), an empire- wide persecution of Christians took place.
Ignatius was arrested for refusing to offer sacrifices to the emperor. He was taken to the city of Rome and brought before Emperor Trajan.
“Who are you, you evil demon, who so zealously breaks our commands?” the emperor demanded.
Ignatius stood his ground. “No one ought to call Theophoras evil,” he told the emperor.
“Who is Theophorus?” the emperor asked.
“He who has Christ in his breast,” Ignatius replied.
Trajan was incensed and ordered that Ignatius be thrown into the arena to be torn apart by wild beasts. Ignatius wasn’t afraid, however. He knew he was Theophorus - a God-bearer. God was with him. God lived in him. He belonged to God.
Whether your name contains the name of God or not, you are theophoric. You are a God-bearer.
That’s the promise of your baptism.
When the pastor or priest said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” God put his name on you. The Holy Spirit now lives in you.
You are a God-bearer.
In fact, that is why we proudly bear the theophoric name, “Christian.”
Jesus’ name is on us. He is with us. He is in us.
What do we have to be afraid of?
We are sons and daughters of the King and Lord of the universe. Our Savior Jesus has washed away all our sins in his blood and the waters of Holy Baptism. One day, we will sit on thrones and rule with him in heaven.
Even now, as we face problems, pains, and sometimes even persecution in this world, our identity in Christ gives us comfort and strength. We are Christians. We carry the name of Christ. He is with us and in us and for us.
We are God-bearers.
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion , ” on Amazon .com.
