Replies

“That is why it is prefered [sic] to call God by HIS REAL name, YAWEH [sic].”

Even the name of God, Yahweh, is a translation from Hebrew to English. It was originally written with 4 Hebrew letters without vowels; so the vowel sounds are assumed. The first Hebrew letter is pronounced somewhere between an H and a J. More could be said as to why His name is also often translated as Jehovah.

But more to the point, nowhere in the Greek scriptures (New Testament or Septuagint) is the name Yahweh used. God is identified as the Father of Jesus Christ.

The words used for God’s title in Hebrew and Greek are different from one another. This is PROOF from the very words of scripture that God’s title does not need to be restricted to a certain pronunciation in one specific language. God has made it clear in scripture that He will save some people out of every nation, people, tribe, and LANGUAGE.

God does not require a person to learn to speak Hebrew, Greek, or English in order to be saved. The message of salvation is to be preached in all the world, to every nation and every language.

For Arab speakers, God’s title (in Arabic) is “Allah”. I do not refer to God as Allah because I speak English. But many Arabic Christians pray and address God as “Allah” because that is His title in their language.

To insult “Allah” because of the misappropriation of God’s Arabic title by Muslims, is like insulting the name of Jesus because of a Mexican criminal who is named “Jesus”.

“The distinction is as clear as Baal and Yahweh.”

In terms of theology this is true. But Muslims are NOT using a title for Baal. They are not claiming to follow and worship Satan. They are claiming to follow and worship the one true God. They do not know who the one true God is. Christians do. But we do not denigrate the title of God because Muslims are misusing it. We expose the errors. Insulting God out of ignorance is NOT exposing errors. It is conceding that in there is some other God when there is not.

I have repeatedly advocated caution on this forum, because well meaning Christians are denigrating the Arabic title for God ignorantly. They should be aware that there are Arabic Christians willing to put everything at risk for their faith, and these same Christians treat the title “Allah” with respect.

I am not advocating respect for Islam. I am advocating caution when it comes to the word “Allah” because it means different thing to different people. There is no other title for God in Arabic. God divided the languages and has reserved this title for Himself in Arabic. To denigrate the Arabic title for God is wrong, even in ignorance. To continue to do so when you know better is inviting judgment from the one true God, the Father of Jesus Christ, who has said He will NOT be mocked.