Jeff Johnson: There’s just something about that name

This past week provided a reality check for me. Can’t make this stuff up, as you say.

I met a young couple at a funeral who told me they were naming their baby Hashtag. That isn’t a typo. The kid’s name will be “#.” The couple cited deep meaning in the child’s name for how they met.

Jeff JohnsonI wondered if there were any other people naming their children in a post-post modern way. I browsed snopes.com. Given that we’ve become a nation of thumb-twitching text and Twitter techies, I hope baby “#” is an anomaly. Maybe this is just a modern biblical model. Folks in the Bible gave their children specific names for a reason. Let’s say if the pregnancy is a surprise, why not name the child “?” or “!” or even “!!!” or perhaps “%&#@”!

I can remember being made fun of on the first day of class because my name is John Jefferson Johnson, and I just wanted to be called “Jeff.” Teacher says, “What’s your name, little boy?” His reply? “My name is Percent Ampersand PoundSign At.” Okaaaay.

Now here’s a thought: Since there are huge costs of raising and educating kids, call the first one “$” and second one “$$.” Or if they are girls, call them “$$” and “$$$” since wedding costs will be added on top of the college bills. Or maybe the second child of twins is “&.” If parents sense theirs is a very special child, the baby might be called “™” or “©.”

This got me to thinking. What might Jesus’ name be in today’s vernacular? How about “@”? You’re saying “What?” The Apostle Paul does say “@” the name of Jesus, knees will bend, tongues will confess. Or maybe the name for Jesus could be “=.” I am thinking because he is equal to God the Father but humbled himself. When Paul talks about the name of Jesus, he suggests the name embodies deity, humanity, humility, servanthood, suffering, death and the cross. So “@” and “=” have it covered.

I heard the name Jesus invoked in favor of certain political issues this past week at the expense of others, leaving many nonbelievers to assume that while Jesus saves, Jesus saves only law-abiding, middle-class, drug-free model citizens. That might be some people’s version of Jesus. It’s not the New Testament Texas Baptist Jesus who, I’m happy to note, saves cheats, thieves and church-persecutors as well as blessing just about everyone he meets—including pastors and deacons.

Over that past two years as president, I have found Texas Baptists to be true disciples—bending the knee and confessing the name. We’re followers of Jesus, and that means we’re followers of the one who came to save people from their sins; we’re followers of the one who continues to lift up the fallen, comfort the brokenhearted and set at liberty those who have been captive.

Texas Baptists, we are people of hope. We’re people of the name. And the name isn’t “@” or “=.” It’s something much more.

Still, I can’t wait to see baby Hashtag’s little face and see if he really looks like a “#” or more of a “.”

Jeff Johnson is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce.