Mana sebutan yang benar: Allah atau Elohim? Tuhan atau Yahweh/Yehowa? - Ps. Gerry Tengker

Summary

In this video, Pastor Garry Tengker addresses three key questions related to Christian beliefs. He explains why Christians can refer to God as 'Allah,' despite the term being commonly associated with Islam, citing historical use of the term in Christian texts. He also discusses whether Christians should use the Hebrew names for God, like Yahweh, and highlights how the New Testament writers adapted terms to Greek. Finally, he clarifies that both 'Jesus Christ' and 'Yeshua HaMashiach' are valid names, emphasizing that the power of God's name transcends language and culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'Allah' has been used by Christians in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, even before the advent of Islam in the 7th century.
• 😀 The use of 'Allah' by Christians does not equate to worshiping the God of Islam, but rather the same God worshiped by biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• 😀 The Old Testament includes portions written in languages like Arabic, where terms like 'Elah' were used to refer to God, indicating that 'Allah' is not inherently Islamic.
• 😀 Christians can call God by various names, depending on the language or regional dialect, as the writers of the New Testament adapted Hebrew terms for God into Greek (e.g., 'Kyrios' for Lord).
• 😀 The adaptation of God's name into different languages is acceptable, as long as the worship is directed to the same God and follows the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• 😀 The name 'Jehovah' is not required for Christians, as the New Testament writers used 'Kyrios' (Greek) rather than Hebrew terms like 'Yahweh' or 'Adonai'.
• 😀 Different cultures and regions may refer to God in different ways (e.g., 'Debata' in Batak culture, 'Kumbayah' in some African cultures), and this diversity in names is accepted within Christianity.
• 😀 The name 'Yesus Kristus' (Jesus Christ) was used in the New Testament because it was written in Greek, not Hebrew, and reflects the common language of that era.
• 😀 The name 'Yeshua HaMashiach' (Jesus the Messiah) is an accurate Hebrew rendering of Jesus' name, but calling Him 'Yesus Kristus' still holds power because it is based on the inspired New Testament writings.
• 😀 It is important to respect different Christian practices in naming God and not to label others as heretics based on language or regional differences in naming.

Q & A

Why do Christians refer to God as 'Allah' and isn't it a term for the Islamic God?

The term 'Allah' has been used by Christians, particularly in the Middle East, even before the emergence of Islam. It was used in ancient Christian texts in places like Syria, and in early Christian churches. The use of 'Allah' is not exclusive to Islam, and its historical usage in Christian contexts demonstrates that it can be used by Christians without connection to Islam.

Should Christians only refer to God as 'Yahweh' or 'Elohim'?

Christians are not required to exclusively use the terms 'Yahweh' or 'Elohim'. The New Testament writers used the Greek term 'Kyrios' (Lord) when referring to God, adapting the name to the language they were writing in, which was Greek. This suggests that God allows the use of different names based on language and cultural context.

Why do some people claim that using 'Allah' in Christian worship is wrong?

Some people argue that using 'Allah' is wrong because they associate it solely with the Islamic faith. However, the use of 'Allah' by Christians predates Islam, and early Christian texts show that 'Allah' was used to refer to God. Therefore, Christians can use the term 'Allah' as it is historically rooted in Christian tradition.

Can Christians use different regional names for God?

Yes, Christians are free to use regional names for God, as the early Christians adapted the divine names to the languages and cultures in which they lived. For example, in Indonesia, Christians may use 'Tuhan,' and in Batak culture, they may use 'Debata.' The key is that they are referring to the same God, regardless of the name used.

What is the significance of the use of 'Kyrios' in the New Testament?

'Kyrios' was the Greek term used by New Testament writers to refer to God, meaning 'Lord'. This term reflects the adaptation of God's name into the Greek language, which was the language of the New Testament. The use of 'Kyrios' shows how the New Testament authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to communicate God's message in the language of their time.

Is 'Yeshua' the correct name for Jesus, or is 'Jesus Christ' more appropriate?

'Yeshua' is the Hebrew name for Jesus, and 'Hamashiach' means 'the Messiah'. However, the New Testament writers used the Greek form 'Jesus Christ' ('Iesous Christos') when referring to Him. The shift from Hebrew to Greek occurred because the New Testament was written in Greek, and the term 'Jesus Christ' is widely accepted in Christian tradition.

Why is the name 'Jesus Christ' used instead of 'Yeshua Hamashiach' in modern Christian worship?

The name 'Jesus Christ' is used because the New Testament was originally written in Greek, not Hebrew. The authors of the New Testament adapted the Hebrew name 'Yeshua' into the Greek form 'Iesous'. This adaptation was necessary for communication in the Greek-speaking world, and 'Jesus Christ' has become the widely accepted name in Christian theology.

What is the historical context of the use of different languages in the time of Jesus?

During the time of Jesus, four main languages were spoken: Aramaic (the language Jesus likely used for daily conversation), Hebrew (used in religious settings), Greek (the international language of the time), and Latin (used by the Roman authorities). The use of these languages influenced how the name of Jesus and references to God were expressed in the New Testament.

Is there a theological significance to using the name 'Yeshua' over 'Jesus'?

Theologically, there is no inherent power in one name over the other. Both 'Yeshua' and 'Jesus' refer to the same person, and both have significant meaning. The key point is the faith in the person of Jesus Christ, regardless of the linguistic form used. The choice of name is largely influenced by cultural and linguistic factors.

What is the main point the speaker is trying to convey about naming God and Jesus?

The speaker emphasizes that Christians can use various names for God and Jesus, as these names are culturally and linguistically adapted. The essential point is that all Christians worship the same God, whether they call Him 'Allah', 'Tuhan', or any other name. Similarly, calling Jesus 'Yeshua' or 'Jesus' does not alter the truth of who He is; the faith in Him is what matters.