Episode Overview

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind
Episode: Elohim: The Name of Majesty
Host: Nathan W. Bingham (Ligonier Ministries)
Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul
Release Date: December 18, 2025

In this episode, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the profound meaning and theological significance of the name "Elohim" for God as found in Scripture. He walks listeners through the debates surrounding its usage, its relation to ancient Near Eastern religions, and how "Elohim" uniquely expresses both the majesty and unity of the one true God. The discussion weaves together biblical exegesis, church history, philosophy, and practical application.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meaning and Significance of "Elohim"

• Plural Form, Singular God:

  • Elohim is the Hebrew plural of "El" (God), yet it consistently refers to the one God of Israel when used with singular verbs (03:00–07:00).
  • “When it's used for Yahweh as a name and title for the God, the plural of majesty is calling attention to the superiority, to the transcendent greatness of the Most High God.” (A, 00:00, repeated at 22:25)

• Plural of Majesty vs. Polytheism:

  • The “plural of majesty” is not an admission of polytheism but rather emphasizes God’s supreme greatness and fullness of deity.
  • Dr. Sproul affirms: “All other claims to deity pale into insignificance in comparison with Elohim, in whom all of the characteristics and all of the attributes, all of the facets, all of the fullness of deity dwells.” (A, 00:40 / 22:55)

2. Unity and Diversity—Philosophical and Scriptural Roots

• From Many, One—‘E pluribus unum’ Analogy:
  • Dr. Sproul uses the American national motto to draw out the longstanding philosophical problem of unity and diversity.
  • “E pluribus unum. From many, one... it’s one of the most profound questions of all time.” (A, 02:30)
• Cosmos vs. Chaos:
  • Drawing from Carl Sagan, Sproul reflects on how creation displays order (cosmos), not confusion (chaos), and how this reflects back on God as the ultimate unity behind all diversity. (03:15–04:20)

3. The Critique of Biblical Monotheism — 19th Century Perspective

• Religious Evolution Theory:
  • Dr. Sproul recounts how 19th-century scholars accused ancient Israel of passing through stages—animism, polytheism, henotheism, to monotheism (12:00–16:00).
  • Examples given:
    • Animism (spirits inhabiting trees, stones, animals – e.g., bee tree tribe)
    • Polytheism (Greek and Roman gods)
    • Henotheism (every nation has its god: Yahweh, Baal, Dagon)
    • Monotheism (one God over all creation)
• Rejection of the Evolutionary Theory of Religion:
  • “Although not altogether, a lot of these theories that were so popular in the 19th century... have been discredited.” (A, 16:55)
  • The Old Testament consistently affirms one transcendent Creator, in sharp contrast to pagan mythologies.

4. “Elohim” and the Doctrine of the Trinity

• Does “Elohim” Hint at the Trinity?
  • Some see the plural form as an Old Testament foreshadowing of the Trinity (God as unity and diversity), but Dr. Sproul advises caution.
    • "Now, I am not one who believes that the author of Genesis intended by the name Elohim to give us a kind of hint or cryptic revelation of the Trinity. Maybe it was his intent. I don't know that." (A, 20:40)
  • Still, he affirms that the term is “consistent with the idea of the Trinity,” yet not an explicit support for the doctrine.
• The Richness of God’s Nature:
  • The plural form captures the reality that God is not “one-dimensional”; within his unity, there is a richness that later Christian theology identifies as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (21:30–22:30).

5. Worship Implications—Majesty, Uniqueness, Response

• Elohim as the Most High:
  • “He is called the Most High God, not because he's simply higher than other gods, the other gods actually are not gods at all, but because he is higher than the angels, higher than demons, higher than spirits, higher than human beings, because reality and being itself reaches its highest point in the fullness of God.” (A, 23:00)
• Calling for Reverence:
  • The plural of majesty describes the God “before whom we are called to bow in reverence and in adoration and in obedience.” (A, 23:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Elohim’s uniqueness:
  • “Anything else by comparison is really a pretense. All other claims to deity pale into insignificance in comparison with Elohim...” (A, 00:40/22:55)
• On the philosophical problem of unity and diversity:
  • "That overarching concern of ancient philosophers was the concern about the relationship between unity and diversity, between the pluribus and the unum, between the one and the many." (A, 05:10)
• On the refutation of 19th-century biblical criticism:
  • “A lot of these theories that were so popular... have been discredited. And we notice that in the literature of the Old Testament, that the Old Testament does not follow the pattern of ancient mythology.” (A, 16:55)
• On the majesty captured in Elohim:
  • “The plural of majesty is calling attention to the superiority, to the transcendent greatness of the Most High God...” (A, 22:25)
• On the purpose of biblical names:
  • “As RC Sproul surveys these names, it helps us to see who God is. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (B, 00:53)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 – Majesty and transcendence in the name “Elohim”
• 02:03 – Introduction: E pluribus unum; seeking unity in diversity
• 05:10 – Philosophical/theological emphasis on unity and diversity
• 12:00–16:00 – Religious evolution theory: animism to monotheism
• 16:55 – Rejection of evolutionary models of religion
• 20:40 – Elohim and the Trinity: “Maybe it was his intent. I don't know that...”
• 22:25–23:15 – Summary: Elohim as plural of majesty, Most High, and worship implications

Tone and Delivery

The tone throughout is scholarly yet accessible, marked by Dr. Sproul’s signature blend of theological depth and illustrative storytelling. Sproul’s teaching is pastoral: reverent, thoughtful, sometimes humorous, always focused on drawing practical, worshipful insights from biblical doctrine. Host Nathan W. Bingham’s brief interjections are warm and inviting, reinforcing the importance of knowing God as He has revealed Himself.

Summary

This episode provides a rich, engaging exploration of the name “Elohim.” Dr. Sproul moves beyond mere linguistic analysis to connect the word with core biblical and philosophical truths—that God is both one and exalted, full of infinite majesty and glory. Old criticisms about Israel’s supposed polytheism are thoughtfully dismissed, while the name “Elohim” is shown to reflect the fullness of the one, true, living God—worthy of our reverence, adoration, and obedience. The teaching aids listeners not only in deeper intellectual understanding, but also in fostering genuine worship of the Creator.