Ecclesiastical writers use the word “divine” to refer to aspects or matters related to God, the spiritual realm, or the sacred.

The term “divine” is derived from the Latin word “divinus,” meaning “of or pertaining to a god.” In religious and theological contexts, it carries special significance and is employed to convey the transcendent, supernatural, and holy nature of various subjects, including:

1. God and Deities: The primary usage of “divine” is to describe God and other deities in religious beliefs. It emphasizes their divine attributes, nature, and characteristics, distinguishing them from human or earthly qualities.
2. Sacred Scriptures: Ecclesiastical writers often refer to religious texts, such as the Bible, Quran, or Vedas, as “divine scriptures.” This indicates that these texts are considered to have a divine origin or are inspired by a higher power.
3. Revelation and Inspiration: When discussing insights, visions, or inspirations received from a higher power, the term “divine revelation” is employed. It signifies that the information comes from God or the divine realm.
4. Miracles: Supernatural events or occurrences that are beyond the natural laws are referred to as “divine miracles.” These events are seen as evidence of the intervention of a higher power.
5. Worship and Devotion: Ecclesiastical writers may use “divine worship” or “divine service” to refer to religious rituals and practices that are dedicated to the worship of God or other deities.
6. Divine Providence: The belief that God or a higher power guides and governs the world is often expressed as “divine providence.” This concept suggests that everything happens according to a divine plan.
7. Divine Love and Grace: The term “divine love” or “divine grace” signifies the unconditional and benevolent love or favor bestowed upon humanity by God or the divine.
8. Divine Purpose and Calling: When discussing one’s life’s mission or purpose, the notion of a “divine calling” may be used to suggest that it comes from a higher authority or plan.

Using the word “divine” helps ecclesiastical writers emphasize the sacred and spiritual nature of their subjects, which is central to religious and theological discussions. It underscores the belief in the existence of a higher power and highlights the importance of the divine realm in religious thought and practice.

The reality behind the English word “divine” used as an adjective. 

late 14c., “pertaining to, of the nature of, or proceeding from God or a god; addressed to God,” from Old French divin, devin (12c.), from Latin divinus “of a god,” from divus “of or belonging to a god, inspired, prophetic,” related to deus “god, deity” (from PIE root *dyeu- “to shine,” in derivatives “sky, heaven, god”).

The weakened sense of “excellent in the highest degree, heavenly” had evolved by late 15c. The phrase divine right, indicating one conferred by or based on ordinance of God, is from c. 1600.

also from late 14c.

Should believers in One Creator refer to the Creator as being Divine?

The fact of the meaning and history of this word divine is not hidden from our view.

divine (v.)

late 14c., divinen, “learn or make out by or as if by divination, foretell” future events (trans.), also intransitive, “use or practice divination;” from Old French deviner, from Vulgar Latin *devinare, a dissimilation of Latin divinare “foresee, foretell, predict,” from divinus “of a god,” from divus “of or belonging to a god, inspired, prophetic,” which is related to deus “god, deity” (from PIE root *dyeu- “to shine,” in derivatives “sky, heaven, god”).

Latin divinus also meant, as a noun, “soothsayer.” English divine (v.) is also attested from late 14c. in the sense of “make out by observations or otherwise; make a guess or conjecture” without reference to supernatural insight. The earliest English sense is “to contrive, plot” (mid-14c.). Related: Divined; divining. Divining rod (or wand) is attested from 1650s.

also from late 14c.

divine (n.)

c. 1300, “soothsayer, sorcerer, astrologer,” from Old French devin “soothsayer; theologian” and directly from Latin divinus, “soothsayer, augur,” noun use of an adjective meaning “of or belonging to a god,” from divus “of or belonging to a god, inspired, prophetic,” related to deus “god, deity” (from PIE root *dyeu- “to shine,” in derivatives “sky, heaven, god”).

Meaning “ecclesiastic, theologian, man skilled in divinity” is from late 14c. Sense of “divine nature, divineness” is from late 14c.

also from c. 1300

Entries linking to divine

*dyeu- 

Proto-Indo-European root meaning “to shine,” in derivatives “sky, heaven, god.”

It forms all or part of: adieu; adios; adjourn; Asmodeus; circadian; deific; deify; deism; deity; deodand; deus ex machina; deva; dial; diary; Diana; Dianthus; diet (n.2) “assembly;” Dioscuri; Dis; dismal; diurnal; diva; Dives; divine; joss; journal; journalist; journey; Jove; jovial; Julia; Julius; July; Jupiter; meridian; Midi; per diem; psychedelic; quotidian; sojourn; Tuesday; Zeus.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit deva “god” (literally “shining one”); diva “by day;” Avestan dava- “spirit, demon;” Greek delos “clear;” Latin dies “day,” deus “god;” Welsh diw, Breton deiz “day;” Armenian tiw “day;” Lithuanian dievas “god,” diena “day;” Old Church Slavonic dini, Polish dzień, Russian den “day;” Old Norse tivar “gods;” Old English Tig, genitive Tiwes, name of a god.

Dijon 

city in the Burgundy region of eastern France, from Latin Divio, Divionis, from the personal name Divius “divine, godly,” related to divus (see divine (adj.)).  Noted for its mustard (Dijon mustard is attested in English by 1824).

Do you think Christians should be using such a word that can mean either/or? My advice is to stay as far away as we possibly can from a word which has an association to false deity’s, their language, worship, or using words that can associate believers of the teachings of Jesus which are used in giving praise or worship to any other god or Gods than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

What do you think? Write to me and let me know how you feel or think about the above post.

19 Bible results for “divine” from 

The word “divine” appears in the King James Version Nineteen Times

Often, responsibility to stand under the ancient writings becomes the sole interest of the believer. Below are the nineteen uses. Right this moment in time, it appears that the using the word God with a capital “G” seems to be a overfished selection for the Creator.

SUGGESTED RESULT

2 Peter 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

BIBLE SEARCH RESULTS

1. Genesis 44:5Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2. Genesis 44:15And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
3. Deuteronomy 18:14For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
4. 1 Samuel 6:2And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the Lord? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
5. 1 Samuel 28:8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
6. Proverbs 16:10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
7. Isaiah 44:25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
8. Jeremiah 27:9Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
9. Jeremiah 29:8For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
10. Ezekiel 13:9And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
11. Ezekiel 13:23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
12. Ezekiel 21:29Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
13. Micah 3:6Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
14. Micah 3:7Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
15. Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
16. Zechariah 10:2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
17. Hebrews 9:1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
18. 2 Peter 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
19. 2 Peter 1:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations