24 Comments
  1. I have had recent correspondence with a former Chabad convert to a claimed belief in Yeshua. At the same time his difficult history involved the loss of his family, as continuing with that community. Even so, he has also accepted extremist understanding of many positions on Israel and Jewish communities today, even accepting replacement theology in the process.

    I am curious about how to respond to such views he cites as are contained on http://www.realjewnews.com/? Here is the almost racest view that the Jews today are not the people of the Land at the time and season of the visitation of the Messiah, and other views over which my corresponent yields no compromise in his views. His views also include believing 9-11 a conspiracy of the USA and the “so-called” Jewish organized “plot” to influence world opinion.

    There seems to be no reasoning, from scripture, evidence, or common sense on these views, yet this person claims to be a Messianic Jew. Help me here on how to respond to such a person.

  2. other correspondent concerns.

    I feel an inner dissonance when attempting communication as to the views and intense responses of this correspondent, yet too find some need to uphold the attitudes of Romans 11-15 in the process of communicating and clarifying. One of his last e-mails, after I quoted from this section of scripture informed that I was being blocked from continued interchange. This does not really bother me, simply the wall of contempt experienced and the lack of open inquiry on other perspectives–Biblical and not.

    I guess I am seeking advice and some kind of consent as to how to view and respond, where so, to this person.

  3. I listened to your response about using the name Allah when ministering to Muslims. I wasn’t for sure, based on your response if you felt it was right or wrong. Now, it is my opinion that the Muslims are not worshipping the same God as Christians are and it is my understanding that they reject Jesus as Messiah or Saviour or coming King. That being said, how can we then attempt to use the name Allah in any ministry efforts? I see this as pluralism and I see it being attempted here in America when reaching Indigenous peoples with the gospel. Most Indigenous tribes have a sacred name for a supreme being, or a god-like being they worship, yet they have no knowledge of the Jehovah of the Bible or his Son, Jesus. I have seen a small, misguided group of ministers, in the church, trying to deify all the hundreds of different names Indigenous tribes have ascribed to a Supreme being. They then throw in the name Jesus, and use a cultural name for the Holy Spirt, and call it the equivelant of biblical truth as written in (Acts 4:12). I happen to disagree with that. Do you have a position on that?

  4. I’d suggest reseaching the Arabic references to labeling or naming God, and Islam’s history of polytheism and idolatry in its origins: on the net. Allah is certainly lingusitically both a reference to God and a confusion of reference to God which translators of scripture into Arabic, such as Georges Housseny, have had to deal with. The newist linguistic positions are to move completely aways from the use of Allah.

    Consdier that Mohammed had reaction formation toward Jewish communities and genocided the ones he knew in his childhood in the name of his understanding of God (and not being included by related Jewish communities as a Prophet once he stated he was). Consider the origins of his insistent so-called revelation and confession using his own linkage to the statement of supposed faith. Consider that the Holy Spirit is not in the mix of the two written central books of Islam’s recorded messages.

    What are the pillars of Islam? What are the fruits of it? Where Mohammed beheaded his critics and those of other religions–as did terrorists in Iraq so behead Americans–what is His legacy? So, today, in the Middle East, converts to Christ pay a high price, and gain a real faith, not a culture of death. Allah being linked to the culture of death, and satanic revelation [Mohammed, it is recorded, foamed at the mouth, and had visions of a snake wrapping itself around him when receiving his visions], accordingly, believers in Chrust have looked long and hard at the linguistic challenge of using the reference to Allah. In the ancient world who was Allah, and, by his fruit, who is that spirit today?

  5. John Watchman,

    You wrote:

    “Most Indigenous tribes have a sacred name for a supreme being, or a god-like being they worship, yet they have no knowledge of the Jehovah of the Bible or his Son, Jesus. I have seen a small, misguided group of ministers, in the church, trying to deify all the hundreds of different names Indigenous tribes have ascribed to a Supreme being. They then throw in the name Jesus…”

    Three things:

    If you do a little research you will find that His name is Yahweh not Jehovah.

    English speaking people have done the same thing, as you describe above, when they use “God” as the name of their diety. “God” was/is the name of a pagan diety that has come to be known as the title or name of YHWH in English. So to be consistant one must either accept this movement of using pagan names or stop using “God” as His title/name.

    Jesus is not the saviors actual name. It is a modified, mispronounced, Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Y’shua.

    1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

    Ac 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

    YHWH can answer a true heart no matter what name is used. But when we know better we should do better.

    Shalom

  6. Bo,

    It was out of God’s Mercy and Grace that it was given to Gentiles to put their faith in Jesus. Because of this history, “Jesus” is the Name of the Lord to most Gentiles. And it is perfectly acceptable to use this name.

    Of course, the beautiful name of “Yeshua” is the name that all His first followers knew Him by, and it means, “Salvation.” And it is to be exalted, especially now that the prophecies concerning Israel’s regrafting into the “cultivated olive tree” are obviously happening in greater and greater evidence. I would love nothing more than to see all of Israel proclaiming, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord,” exalting Yeshua.

    However, “Jesus” still answers prayers, still calls to our hearts, and I am certain He is fine with being called by that Name, also. When the name of Yeshua is known on every tongue, that will be most wonderful indeed. Until then, the door is open and Messiah Yeshua, aka Jesus (!) is still seeking the lost…

    Peace

  7. Ruth,

    They will actually be saying “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the YHWH.”

    I assume you know that no English speaking person heard the name “Jesus” before about 350 years ago. The “J” was the “I'” with a tail for decoration, and it was not pronounced as a “J”. The “S” on the end wasn’t pronounced before about the time of the Authorized Version. Pronunciations have changed over the years, and many have been saved calling out the best they knew how. The fact remains that the Father and the Son have names that can be pronounced correctly and it is honoring to use those names if we know them.

    Shalom

  8. Bo:
    “Pronunciations have changed over the years, and many have been saved calling out the best they knew how. ”

    True, and that is why the fame of this name [Jesus] has spread to us today. I know I was forgiven and given new life by the only name for the Master that I knew: By the Name of Jesus, Praise God.

    Bo, you know that every single word that we write or speak is a mispronunciation [or “corruption,” as it’s known in Linguistics] of an earlier word. All languages descended from one common language. The reason we have so many languages and their dialects is because this is how sound is transmitted through generations. It gets “misheard,” and repeated, and that eventually gets “misheard” and repeated, and so on and so on. Literally, every word we speak or write was once spoken and written differently. So if you get technical about it, “mispronouncing” has been a part of communication at least since the Tower of Babel. [The writers of the Zohar also believed that God primarily spoke Hebrew, and spoke the world into being with the sounds of the Hebrew language. It certainly sounds plausible to me, though some would no doubt disagree vociferously that there are older tongues, etc. Whatever an “original” language would actually be, God did choose Abraham to be the ‘father’ of His chosen people, giving the semitic tongue a certain preeminence. But God knows all the ancient, present, future, and even the indecipherable tongues; yet even so, the intent of the heart is read by Him completely.

    Truthfully, no one today really knows how YHWH is pronounced, though Yeshua (Jesus) did tell his talmidim (disciples). Yochanan (John) 17:26: “I made your name known to them and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” I feel relatively certain that it is pronounced Yahweh, but I think it might be said as if inhaling and exhaling a breath. Yah being the inhalation and Weh the exhalation. Whatever the truth might be, I think we’ll be absolutely certain some day.

    Bo:
    “The fact remains that the Father and the Son have names that can be pronounced correctly and it is honoring to use those names if we know them. ”

    It is indeed honoring, but it is no dishonour for the Messiah (Christ) to be called Jesus. Considering the evolution of the printings of the Bible, the human tendency to “mispronounce,” and the pace at which information is currently transmitted, it is all very understandable that the name organically evolved to be “Jesus” — but it became exalted by association with the miraculous healer, the Son of God; no doubt none of this occurred without God’s foreknowledge, and in this name have many been saved. The time of the Gentiles was/is part of God’s plan for Israel’s salvation.

    It gives me pleasure to see Jewish believers in Yeshua wrest His name from Gentile believers, and reclaim it; I welcome it, because it means that I can see the Lord’s ongoing work in my lifetime. “Afterward the Israelites shall return and seek YHWH their God, and David their king; they shall come in awe to YHWH and to his goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:5

    But certainly it should not be a divisive issue. As Paul cautioned the community at Colosse: “The new self allows no room for discriminating between Gentile and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, foreigner, savage, slave, free man; on the contrary, in all, the Messiah is everthing.” Col. 3:11

  9. Rom. 16
    17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
    18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
    19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

    We are to avoid those that cause divisions and offences contrary to Biblical doctrine. Good words and fair speeches that relate nice ideas are not necessarily sound doctrine. Obedience is good. We should be wise unto that which is good.

    1Cor. 1
    10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

    The only way to be of the same mind is to base our lives and doctrine on the teaching of scripture.

    1 Cor. 11
    18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
    19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

    The word “heresies” means to pick and choose, instead of accepting the whole. There are many things in scripture that people will not accept. So who is the divisive one? Who is the heretic (Chooser)? Isn’t it the one that rejects, downplays or negates different parts of scripture?

    Let us be careful to base our beliefs and life solidly on what the scripture says and not on nice or good ideas. If YHWH says that YHWH is His name then let us use it. Let us not make it vain (useless) by substituting something else for it. We are supposed to be called by His name. His name is supposed to be placed upon us by blessing. His name is supposed to be written in our foreheads.

    If there is a scripture that says that it is OK to call Him what we want then so be it. If not, then let us do the best we know how to say and use His name. Grace will cover our mistakes and ignorance as long as we are not willfully sinning.

    To Whom much is given, much is required. Our predecessors may not have known as much as we know and YHWH will let them off easier. We are more accountable than those that have not heard the truth yet. So let us do the best we can, not the best that they can.

    It would not be good if Y’shua came to us and said, “You have made the commandment of YHWH of none effect by your traditions.” Are the names we use for our Father and our Savior traditions that do this? It is worth thinking about.

    Shalom

  10. Bo, these are excellent arguments you’ve provided.

    When I pray, I speak the name YHWH-Yeshua, because they are One. But if “Jesus” comes to my mind, and “Father” also, it is not a sin (in my view, and my heart is sincere.) It is as “Jesus” that the Savior is better known. And for some, to switch to a Hebrew name is a little unfamiliar at first. If they choose to relate to “Jesus” rather than “Yeshua,” I don’t believe the Lord condemns that, do you, Bo??

    I love the name “Yeshua,” and I’m slowly making the transition. But I also love the name “Jesus,” for the beauty of it is not in the sound or the syllables exactly, but the meaning…for it has meant “Salvation” to so many! And it is this hidden treasure in the heart which pleases God. I would never tell a Gentile (or a Jew for that matter) that they should not call upon the name of Jesus. Calling upon Him is the most important part. A truly sincere and repentant heart will not be denied! As far as the Holy Name of the Father is concerned, is it wrong to use restraint? Even the Son taught us to pray, “Hallowed be your Name,” or “Sacred is your Name.” Should it be spoken so often as to bandy it about? I’m sincerely asking for your take on this, Bo, as a brother, not for the sake of argument.

    Thank you.

  11. Ruth,

    Thanks for your post.

    Here’s my take:

    The Psalms say it so well:

    Ps 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O YHWH, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
    Ps 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
    Ps 44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
    Ps 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
    Ps 66:4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
    Ps 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.
    Ps 76:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
    Ps 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is YHWH, art the most high over all the earth.
    Ps 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
    Ps 92:1 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the YHWH, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
    Ps 102:21 To declare the name of the YHWH in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
    Ps 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the YHWH.
    Ps 124:8 Our help is in the name of the YHWH, who made heaven and earth.
    Ps 129:8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the YHWH be upon you: we bless you in the name of the YHWH.
    Ps 135:13 Thy name, O YHWH, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O YHWH, throughout all generations.

    These are good too:

    Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
    Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
    Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the YHWH; and beside me there is no saviour.
    Isa 45:5 I am the YHWH, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
    Isa 47:4 As for our redeemer, the YHWH of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
    Jer 23:27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal(The Lord).
    Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the YHWH shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the YHWH hath said, and in the remnant whom the YHWH shall call.

    Shalom

  12. I forgot to take out the “the” in some of the quotes above. But I think you get my point.

    Shalom

  13. Thank you for these verses, Bo.

    My only point is:

    Yeshua would NEVER turn anyone away who called him “Jesus”! (< A mispronuncation of "Yeshua.") This would be contrary to the whole point of Redemption: the saving of souls through mercy, justice, and faith. This is the most important thing. Let us not "strain at gnats." Matthew 23:24. For He would that all come to Him.

    (Note: I am not calling you a "blind guide," Bo; and I am not saying the name of God is a "gnat." Only that in this discussion, the weightier point is the saving of souls: if they know Him as Jesus, He answers to that. If we know Him by Yeshua, well and good, He also answers to that. He does not neglect the souls of any who sincerely seek Him, because He is the Good Shepherd, and our divine High Priest forever, and that we seek Him for the total forgiveness of our sins and the new life of the Spirit, is what matters most to Him.

    Peace
    & Thank you !

  14. Ruth,

    I was saved using the name “Jesus.” I am glad He is merciful and gracious. I am also glad He is patient. It was a very tough time for me when He revealed to me His name. I would not call any of this weightier than the other parts. But if one aspect is of greater importance than the others, I would look at it like this:

    Mt 23
    23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
    24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
    25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
    26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

    Let us not leave any of it undone.

    By the way, I use restraint at times when it seems like I would be casting pearls before swine. I also try not to allow His name to become a ccomon or meaningless word. I try not to make His name vain or take it in vain or make it come to nought. It is too important. May our actions and our words bring His name Glory!

    Shalom

  15. Facebook doesn’t have a comprehensive system of administrative review. this is not the government. if they pull it, too bad for us – we are on THEIR website. that’s life.

  16. My post was up from the 19th to the 23rd – and while some people may have found it offensive (it’s not politically correct), that I don’t know, but Facebook did not communicate with me about it.

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