There are a growing number of the modern movements today that insist on calling our Savior by the name of “Yahshua” instead of the “Jesus” that appears in our English Bible. What's behind this, and, most importantly, is it right?
Some of these folks have sincere hearts, desiring above all to be accurate and correct, while others, as with all of the modernist movements, simply want to show that they have discovered something “new” and “better” and are therefore a step ahead of you in spirituality.
“Jesus” is the Greek form of His name. It's different from the Hebrew form, since the pronunciation of names varies a little from one language to another. For instance, you might be called “John” in English, but you would be called “Johann” in German and “Sean” in Irish. It's the same name (and you are still the same person), but the name is pronounced differently in the different languages.
So, what's the problem with using the Hebrew form, “Yahshua” instead of “Jesus”?
- The first problem is that there is almost always some other false, modernist doctrine that accompanies this compelling desire to use the Hebrew name. For instance, the “Sacred Name Movement,” which has done much to popularize this practice, insists that if you do not call upon His real name, which they claim is the Hebrew form, then you are not really saved.
- Secondly, there is still significant doubt as to what the Hebrew form of the name is, since it never appears in the New Testament. Some will tell you that it is “Y'Shua.” Some will say “Yahshua.” Others will insist it is “Yah'shua” or “Yeshua” or “Yahshuah” or “Yehoshua” or “Yashua.” The bottom line is: nobody but God himself knows for sure.
- Thirdly, Paul refers to Him in the Bible by the Greek form of His name, Iesous, which is transliterated “Jesus” in English. Matthew, too, calls Him by the Greek name, Jesus. Mark calls Him Jesus. John, Peter, and Luke all call Him Jesus. The supposedly superior Hebrew name is used nowhere in the entire New Testament.
- The old-time believers throughout the ages have called Him Jesus and been blessed beyond measure by God. Who are we to suppose ourselves to be so superior to them?
The question we need to ask, as with all of the modernist twists on Christianity, is: “Why”? Why exchange something we know is right (as evidenced by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter) for something that, at best, we're not even sure about?
If “Jesus” is good enough for Paul and the other New Testament writers, then it should be good enough for us – no matter how cool it feels to roll “Yahshua” off your tongue.
