The name Yeshua is Hebrew (in English we say Jesus). In Hebrew this name means 'Yahweh is Salvation'. The God of Israel is called Yahweh in Hebrew. Arabs use the name Allah. Aramaic's use the name Elaha. Today in Christendom we use the name Father (JW's use the name Jehovah). So we have many names for the God of Israel. We can summarize below:
1. Yahweh (the Hebrew name).
2. Allah (the name used by Arabs/Muslims/Islam).
3. Father (the name used in the New Testament).
4. Jehovah (the name used by JW's, and others).
5. Elaha (the name of God in Aramaic).
6. Gud (the name used in Sweden).
7. I AM that I AM (the name used by Moses...meaning Yahweh).
The view of most scholars is that Yahweh is our Creator God. Confusion emerged after the days of Yeshua (4 B.C. to 33 A.D.). After the death of Yeshua, a new religion emerged called Christianity. Gradually, this religion created a new theology where Yeshua was viewed as divine and also deity. The God of Judaism, Yahweh, was essentially replaced with this Messiah person, called Yeshua (Jesus in our English language).
The Gospels presented a confused picture on this person who lived and then died at Golgotha (say around 33 A.D.). Some believers viewed Yeshua as fully human (no deity) and others felt that this Messiah person needed to be exalted to full Deity. Gradually, the Christian religion developed the view that Yeshua was God's Son and also full Deity. This happened gradually and was fully realized with the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Emperor Constantine was a key ruler who promoted this idea that Yeshua was part of Deity.
After 325 A.D., the Nicene Creed emerged to codify the idea that Yeshua (the prior Jew from Nazareth) was Deity and actually an equal with the God of Israel (Yahweh). Later the idea of a Holy Spirit person emerged which then created the theology of a TRINITY Godhead (three god person's within one Godhead). Christianity adopted this Trinity concept and it became standard doctrine as time evolved. Today, many thinkers reject this concept as being illogical and without merit.
The confusing theology of Yeshua emerged after his death (say around 33 A.D.). This man from Nazareth was promoted (gradually) to an exalted authority who provided mankind with Salvation from sin. If this Messiah person had this authority he must have been full Deity. Who could provide full Salvation from sin but God Almighty? If Yeshua was viewed as one's Salvation from sin, then he became LORD for believers. Yahweh, the historical God of Israel, was unnecessary IF the Christ person is Deity (Lord).
Gradually, Christianity REPLACED Judaism (it's called Replacement Theology) as the core belief system for thinking believers. Judaism had advanced Yahweh as Creator God and King of our Universe prior to Yeshua. But gradually, Christianity, advanced this Messiah person (later glorified to Christ) as the new God of Christianity. Christ was God. Yahweh was merely part of a Trinity. Christ was the one who brings Salvation and eternal life for believers. The God of Israel is replaced under this Replacement theology of Christianity (which emerged after 325 A.D.).
Today, many scholars are rethinking all this theological history and challenging the viewpoint of Christianity. Is Yeshua really God? Did he claim to be God? Are there now two God's (Christ Yeshua and Yahweh Father)? Are there three God's? Who is the REAL God of our universe and planet? Is Christ our Creator or is Yahweh our Creator. Who rules over this universe and our planet? It all gets rather confusing. History can be spun in different ways by believers/theologians who interpret reality differently. The original God of Israel is not very popular today among most believers!
My view is that the REAL God of our universe/planet is the God of Israel (who I view as Yahweh). Orthodox Jews will use the name HaShem in place of Yahweh. Arabs, within the religion of Islam, will use the name Allah. Christians use the name Christ Jesus. All is rather confusing as each religion spins the words of scripture and history differently. My personal view is that the words in our scripture (which originated prior to Yeshua's day) are most relevant. For example:
1. Isaiah 43:10 - 14 gives my view of who is God.
2. Hosea 13:4 also supports my view that Yahweh is our Creator God.
I also view the Baptism of Yeshua (by John the Baptist in 29 A.D.) as support for my view that Yahweh (the Father) is God. Yeshua was baptised INTO the spirit of his Father (Yahweh) and this seems creditable.
Yeshua was baptised by his cousin John at the age of (say) 33 (29 A.D.). His baptism was into his God (the God of Israel) whose name was Yahweh (Hebrew), Elaha (Aramaic), Father (English). John the Baptist did not baptise into a Trinity Godhead as we witness in Christianity. He baptised into the one God of Israel whose name was Yahweh (Hebrew). This reveals, to me, the real meaning of the Hebrew Name Yeshua (it means Yahweh is Salvation). The God of Israel was Yahweh (29 A.D.) and I propose this same God is our God (of Salvation) today (2023)!
Think of this meaning of the name Yeshua. The name means YAHWEH IS SALVATION. Is it time to recognize this reality for today's believers?
I am: Donald B. Swenson, donaldswenson.blogspot.com.
http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
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