Disneyland: What’s in a Name?
It probably only seems natural that Disneyland, is named “Disneyland.” Anything else would just sound strange, wouldn’t it?
But it did have some previous potential names. When Walt Disney came up with the idea for a park of some kind for guests to go to, since so many wanted to come to the studio and meet Mickey Mouse, it was going to be called “Mickey Mouse Park.” When he conceived of a traveling exhibition of miniatures, it was to be called “Disneylandia.” Finally, though, we got “Disneyland.”
I recall hearing a story once, though the exact details escape me. (If someone knows them, please fill in the blanks for me.) Either in regard to the Studio or to Disneyland, some employees were unhappy that their names weren’t featured more prominently. They were pointedly reminded that it was Walt Disney’s name on things, and it would always be that way. Many were involved in the work, but ultimately it was his.
As the “Florida Project” was being developed, it was originally to be called Disney World (Or possibly Disneyworld). In How to be Like Walt, Pat Williams says, “As construction proceeded, Roy [Disney] announced a small but important change to the name of the new Florida theme park. ‘It’s going to be called Walt Disney World,’ he said, ‘so people will always know that it was Walt’s dream.'”
[A quick aside: this is why it bothers me when people (usually innocently) refer to Walt Disney World as simply “Disney,” and when the company itself refers to Walt Disney World and Disneyland as “Disney parks.” These are vague and meaningless concepts. Disney is a corporation. Disney parks is a division. Both of these lack the heart, the memories, the connection, the warmth, and the personality that comes with their proper names. Some shortening makes sense, but this strips it of nearly everything important.]
Names are important. Your name matters. Names give a sense of identity, sometimes giving hints of character, always providing a means of identification. Disneyland wouldn’t have the same identity if it were called something else. The same is true of the individual lands. Imagine trying to “simplify” Frontierland to “that part of the park where there are westerns and stuff about history and river boats and an island.” Or Main Street U.S.A. to “that part of the park after you come in that’s like a turn-of-the-20th-century small town midwestern street, but not exactly that because it’s better, but still kind of the same.” Looses something, doesn’t it?
God’s name is pretty important, too. Names, actually, as He is called by several in the Bible. In each case, they tell us something significant. Usually they reflect an aspect of His character that was important to that part of the narrative. Today we often try to simplify His names, calling Him something that makes more sense to us. “Lord” becomes “leader.” “Savior” becomes “forgiver.” “Master” becomes “boss.”
Sure, these are easier to understand, but I think we miss something if we always refer to Him in these simplified ways. Perhaps it’s worth considering some of His other names. Learn what they mean. Use them when you talk to Him, or even when you talk to others about Him, because they each reveal something crucial.
Here’s a short list to get you started (adapted from this article on Bible.org):
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Elohim: The plural form of EL, meaning “strong one.” It is used of false gods, but when used of the true God, it is a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is especially used of God’s sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty.
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El Elyon: “The Most High God.” Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy.
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El Olam: “The Everlasting God.” Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness.
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Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption. (You may be more familiar with this term as “Jehovah,” the Greek rendition of the name.)
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Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): “The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people.
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Yahweh Nissi: “The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people.
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Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest.
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Yahweh Sabbaoth: “The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven.
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Yahweh Ro’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture.
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Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom.
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Adonai: Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider (Gen. 18:2; 40:1; 1 Sam. 1:15; Ex. 21:1-6; Josh. 5:14).
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Theos: Greek word translated “God.” Primary name for God used in the New Testament. Its use teaches: (1) He is the only true God; (2) He is unique; (3) He is transcendent; (4) He is the Savior.
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Father: A distinctive New Testament revelation is that through faith in Christ, God becomes our personal Father. Father is used of God in the Old Testament only 15 times while it is used of God 245 times in the New Testament. As a name of God, it stresses God’s loving care, provision, discipline, and the way we are to address God in prayer.
God’s names are important. And even more than that, as a believer, as a disciple of Jesus, you are called by His name.
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring My sons from afar
and My daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by My name,
whom I created for My glory,
whom I formed and made.“
You are called by His name. You were created for His glory. Is there a better reason to know and use His names? After all, they tell you something about the One you belong to, what He can do, Who He is, and what He wants. You can get by without knowing anything about them, or by simplifying them, but you’re missing out if you do.
Kingdom Thinking: Which of the names listed is most meaningful or important to you right now, at this moment? What do you need to be reminded about God’s identity and character?
Randy Crane is passionate about helping Christians, especially those with a Disney affinity, to discover and connect to their GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND VALUE, to build their lives to achieve TRUE SUCCESS AND MEANING, and to POSITIVELY IMPACT their world. For more than two decades, Randy has been leading individuals and teams into a greater joy and child-like appreciation of the world around them, equipping them to reach beyond what they have previously experienced and build a God-given identity and purpose. Ready to experience that for yourself? Tell us where to send SIX free videos all created to help answer the 3 questions you need to experience PEACE, FREEDOM, and PURPOSE!