Understanding Name Changes in the Bible
Live from the Mecca of Mormonism SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, This is Heart of the Matter – Where we are working through together how to live the Christian life in the Age of Fulfillment – and I’m your host, Shawn McCraney.
Let’s begin with a word of Prayer.
Show 34B Goodbye, Jesus
Tuesday August 11th 2020. Hey, we are going to start off with a new video straight from the table of Checkmychurch! Take a look.
(SHOW CLIP)
Love that. And love this ministry. CHECK OUT CHECK MY CHURCH!
So, we are going to follow-up on all your comments over the last couple weeks as I was out last week and our shows were recordings but before we do I have a commentary to add to our list of things we are tossing overboard as a means to clear the deck of the faith. As you recall we cleared the deck of the term, “Pastor” a few weeks ago (because of insights from our brother, Adnan). And then we cleared the deck of the Americanized, Mormonized NON- JEWICIZED depictions of Jesus – renouncing those illustrations all together and reminding ourselves that he was a Jew and that the earliest pictures of him (which are probably the most correct) show him to be a curly headed dark skinned, brown eyed guy. For that we thank my old friend, Al.
And then last week we talked about throwing the traditional methods of teaching and reaching believers who are living fleshly lives overboard and clearing the deck so that the Holy Spirit can work to help them grow strong in the Spirit. We have some great comments on that coming up. Then last night, on the show called, Doing my Neighbor, we talked about tossing the religious approach to sin overboard and to potentially adopt another approach.
But due to the astute insights of another friend of mine, Madison, whose opinion I really respect, I want to suggest we throw something else overboard – and this one, at least initially, will shock some of you or at least make you say that this one doesn’t matter at all.
The Significance of Yeshua
Let me make my case. So what needs to go overboard? Jesus needs to go overboard too. Right off the deck. And when I say Jesus, I mean that NAME. I have long fought against what I am about to say because I have also maintained that it doesn’t matter. But in the Bible, names were REALLY important. People (and God) did not, like we do in our day, just name their kid Bob or Nancy – the names they gave their children had significant meanings – and the name God gave his Son is no exception. I think that’s sort of important, don’t you?
Looking back we remember that the name Abram means “exalted father,” but YHWH changed his name to, "Abraham" which means, “father of a multitude.” That is an important distinction and the name was important to YHWH. We could ignore it and continue to call Abraham, Abram or Abe or abbie, but God changed his name to Abraham – and so that is what we call him. This is how God put it in Genesis 17:5:
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”
And then we have Jacob, when he came out of a place called Padan-aram, God said to Him:
Genesis 35:10 "Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel."
Of course, Jesus himself took Simon and renamed him Peter, didn’t he – significantly. If names were not important, why do the renaming?
So those are just some name changes God did that were important enough for Him to take the time to do. Then . . .
Adam’s given name was important, Aaron’s name was significant, Daweed name was purposeful, Miriam, Elizabeth, Moses means "from the water," very symbolic. But perhaps there is no more significant name of a Bible character than that of the Messiah.
When the Angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph (the about-to-be-step-father) the angel told Joseph what to name the child, saying:
“And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua, FOR He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21
This is significant, because the name “Yeshua” means “salvation”. The Angel was basically saying, “call Him Salvation, because he will save His people from their sins.”
The Historical Evolution of a Sacred Name
In the wisdom of our religious forefathers, our leaders, those in charge of maintaining doctrinal purity, we have somehow allowed ourselves to call our Lord and Savior Yeshua, the name he was given by God Himself, Jeazuz.
From Yeshua to Jesus
Where did the name “JEEZUS” come from? The original roll down the slippery slope started when YESHUA (which means JOSHUA in English) was translated into the Greek IESOUS (in Greek). But THEN how on earth did IESOUS become JESUS?
You may not be aware of this, but the spelling of the name “Jesus” has only been in use for around 400 years. This is easily proven by the fact that the 1611 King James Version of the Bible still spelled His name using the Greek “Iesous,” and not “Jesus.” In fact, the name "Iesous" was used in Greek, Latin, and English versions of scripture until the 17th century, when the letter “J” was introduced as a replacement for the letter “I” (which was still pronounced Ye) and was pronounced as a consonant.
So, his name was written from that point forward, “Jesous” (but pronounced, Yesous) even with the addition of the J replacing the I. However, the J, pronounced, YE eventually took on the “G” sound (like Jerry) and the result of that was the unfortunate and ultimate hillbilly name of, “Jesus.”
I realize that this name, due to the extreme culturalization of it, has become an enormous sacred cow to people who love Him. So, I mean no offense. But as I’ve thought about it, we are the offending party to God when we have allowed our defenders of the faith to lead us to a place where we even bastardize the very name YHWH gave him from the start.
The Importance of a Name
Think about this. God has ONE human Son. He sends an ANGEL to tell Joseph the name HE wants him to be called and followers today have all-together tossed this out all-together for a nick-name. Oh, I know, I know, I don’t think God nor Yeshua himself would be sticklers over such a thing but pretend you had a Son who died for the sins of the world – and you named him Anthony. And over time people changed that name first to Anthon, then to Tony and then Andy, and ultimately his name becomes Bando. Really?
We’re supposed to trust our religious history and doctrines and practices and place them in the hands of a culture who won’t even keep the Lord’s name straight? I mean the change of Yeshua’s name is wholly unfortunate because IF we wanted to actually refer to the Lord through an Anglicanized name that reflected Him it would be Joshua. With Yeshua merely the proper pronunciation of that name in Hebrew. But no, that wasn’t enough. We had to take him and his name and make him a white superhero with a completely different name!
Reflecting on Religious Tradition
This shouldn’t surprise us. They also pushed for other non-biblical names that play a predominant role in the faith too – like atonement, and Trinity, and Second Coming, Rapture, Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence – to name a few. Why would true followers and disciples, lovers of truth, embrace a name that is not even his?
I used to think that the name didn’t really matter – and though it was too much of a side issue to deal with and I embraced the name Jesus for the same reason I embraced the Trinity, and Hell as a place of fiery literal eternal punishment, and the eminent Second Coming, and the idea of people having to actually say the name Jesus to be saved – I did this because I took the easy way, the path of least resistance, and followed Pastors instead of the Great Shepherd, Yeshua the Nazarene.
Don’t get me wrong. I do not think that the name Yeshua has magical powers nor do I believe that you have to say Jesus or Iesous or Joshua or even Yeshua to be saved. But we do want truth, don’t we? Don’t we want to get as close to the truth as possible? And didn’t Yeshua say that to know the Only True and Living God and His Son that he has sent is life eternal? Shouldn’t we at least start with his right name.
In the age of fulfillment, an age where believers are turning from the abuses and misdirections foisted upon them by religious tradition, I tend to…
Adopting Yeshua's Real Name
think that adopting Yeshua’s real name is a step in the right direction. And perhaps most importantly by doing this perhaps true seekers and lovers of Man and God might be able to put some more distance between the established faith and the unseemly traditions that have come before us and limited our abilities to reach the world. Perhaps this will help further separate the sheep from the goats, and through this subtle distinction the waiting world will begin to note that lovers of Yeshua really do love, and that followers of Jesus are better known for what and who they don’t? And perhaps maybe, just maybe, all the bad that has been done in his name is tied to the fact that we because they are using the wrong name to begin with, and maybe by calling Him by his God Given Name Yeshua, we will also be more inclined to follow Him in faith and love by God honoring us with more of Him and His spirit. Just a thought.
Let's open up the phone lines and get to your comments from the last few weeks.
Viewer Comments
Pete Kondolios
The choir sang imagine at my son's graduation a few years ago. I responded with a heartfelt….BOOOOOOOOOOO
James Lloyd
While waiting for your show to air, I watched a u-tube clip titled, "The Colossal Fall of Ellen DeGeneres" the commentator, Steve Turley said some very interesting things that fit with what your topic is on tonight. He explained that many of today's "woke" organizations are not interested in a unifying and building movement, but one that blames and destroys. Contrary to woke philosophy, there really isn't anyone who could legitimately "cast the first stone" – we are all violators and have been violated in some form by others. He continues to say that in spite of no one being worthy, we can still build a society based on empathy and mutuality which by definition unites and builds solidarity. Incessant virtue signaling and finger-pointing do the exact opposite and do nothing but create a temporary gang that is hell-bent on knocking and tearing down and becomes the means by which they, themselves, self-implode. A woke culture is a radically unforgiving culture without empathy for others, united not by what they stand for, but what they stand against. With this in mind, we as Christians, need to stop focusing on the evils, the errors, and falsehoods of other churches and people's beliefs but focus on Christ, His truths and testify of His amazing grace, guidance, and miracles in our lives and invite others to come unto Him. We should live our lives with gratitude, love, forgiveness, and joy – the fruits of the Kingdom. Heaven will be a place for people who have learned to love each other on earth and while we will always have eternal praise and gratitude for what Christ has done and will do in our individual lives, I believe that we will continue to mature and learn in the hereafter.
Polly Dunn
And remember one of King David's wives made fun of him when he danced and praised God and she never had children.
Kenia Mendes
With the online outreach of your teaching you can't say it is diminishing. You can't really know how God is using or will use your teaching to reach people that are searching for the truth. Just keep teaching from the word NEVER stop. This is the best teaching ever! Love from a sister in Jesus in Brazil
David Harrington
Sean you're my favorite Mormon
Margaret Tani
Love you Brown Shawn
Reflections on Imagery
Patrick Leyerle
It's all imagery. Might not be literal.
David Harrington
Many wives and Concubines
K Sladerock
Brother Shawn. In Exodus 20:11 Moses says for in 6 days the LORD made the heavens the earth the sea and everything in them but on the 7th day the LORD rested and blessed the sabbath day. Do u think these were literal days or billions of years in between. I'm having a hard time not believing these are literal days.
K Sladerock
These are not literal days is what I meant.
Landon Barker
The bible answers your question. Stop reading too far ahead. What did God make? In order what did God make? The Sun goes up, and down in a? What does this mean? The answer is already there. Look. Study. Pray.
Xyzacct
Worship =/= "jesus girlfriend" music that permeates churchianity and its ardent followers. We are instructed to worship in spirit and truth. Seek and speak truth. John Lennon's "Imagine" is an escapist marxist satanic etc.,
Main Discussion
As nonsensical and harmful as the "heaven is sitting around in robes, on clouds, playing harps and singing praises for eternity" story that's been pushed.
Evan Crissinger
John Lennon was a Satanist. Can't finish the vid. Sorry. Just can't.
Kirk Prior
Spending an eternity worshiping jesus sounds like heaven for Jesus not us. Also we know what heaven is like. Are people in heaven now? No one has entered heaven yet, John 3:13. (Except Enoch and a few others, but the Bible is never wrong). So everyone is still in the ground!!! Where is heaven? Seems like here on earth Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, John 11:25. But the God of the Hebrews is not a God I would waste my time on. Good video tho well done
God's Consistency
Kirk Prior
God is love. If a woman has sex before marriage you can burn her, you can own people, he sent a bear to rip kids apart for teasing a man. This is no loving God. By the way Jesus didn't change any of his rules because he made them, god is always consistent. So these rules still stand today. I want you to really think about that. hell, if you wash your hands jesus stated that is a rule of man and you should not! When address the morality of God if have to take EVERYTHING he says into consideration not just the nice bits.
SHOW “I’M SORRY”
RJ
Anyone else think Shawn is starting to look like Thanos?
orionsorbit
Love you guys! I hope everyone here is doing okay.
Sarah Leann Young
Love you guys! Can't wait to get some books written! Yay! (HEY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SENIOR PASTOR AT SMCC?
Calvinism vs. Molinism
ben sky
Despise Calvinism? Great. Consider Molinism, where God's sovereignty and human Free Will coexist according to God's plan. St. Jude pray for us.
SHOW LAST NIGHT I'M DOING MY NEIGHBOR
Anthony Carlisle
I'm understanding the "flesh" being the body obviously, and accepting Christ into your heart is to essentially repent/turn away from amoral behaviors, especially, in this context, negatively sexual ones. While listening to the video, my thoughts started to hear a maximizing of the accountability of sexual "flesh/meat suit" drives [which are a part of the mammalian organism that we 'inhabit'] & a lessening of what the mind of the individual receives/perceives from sexploits; because doin' your neighbor can't be solely blamed on the flesh/organism, it takes the mind/person to do the act, and the body reacts to such stimuli.
I perceive Christ changing the hearts of people & the Holy Spirit also helping as guidance moreso a metaphysical transcendence away from the character the individual was prior, however; in the 'now' we're still stuck in our flesh/organism/meatsuit/body/etc we were born with & those changes to mind & heart can take a great deal of time to form new neural networks & synapses to work, even on a conscious level for people. It could take allot of cognitive development for some people to "take control" of their hormones.
I understand your point of letting God work through them & bringing your brotherly philio[?] love upon them, I still think that current personal accountability needs to be in the deck primarily & not just play a "dang, it's muh flesh, get outta jail free" card, my bros/sisters will still love me, I'll just wait for my "Jesus is in my heart" update to complete. "Gosh it's taking a long time…" I've met many that do play it that way, again, I know that's not at all what you're meaning, it's just in matters of personal character changes I firmly believe that the 'character' has to make the greatest effort to change their own 'character' & be accountable for both progressions & setbacks.
Melanie Wadsworth
I loved this! You explain the power of the flesh over our new place in the spirit so we'll. It is hard to hear as I was greatly hurt by my ex with porn and drug abuse. Lies and lies. I thought I was ruined but Gods love picked me up and put a God loving man in my life and we have a beautiful relationship with God in the center! I even came out of mormonism through the worst of this and now am a born again Christian saved by grace and mercy. Thank you Jesus! Amen
Strengthening the Spirit
C Whitener
I really like what you said, "We don't focus on fixing the flesh; we focus on strengthening the Spirit." The Spirit has led me to be the best version of myself ever. All those years of "honoring
Reflections on Christian Beliefs
The priesthood" really never got me anywhere. Surrendering to the Spirit has been life transforming. Thanks.
Stephanie Smith Such an important message for believers, especially those who feel they don't measure up or compare themselves with those they consider to be "better Christians" than they are. I know, I've been there. Thanks, Shawn, for all you do in this ministry, helps me a lot.
Love Before Judgment
Common Sense Christianity Very good message Shawn. I tell my LDS brothers and sisters all the time to love before you judge. The Christian church must also begin to realize this. Imagine the good we could do in this country and in the world if we just loved our neighbor instead of judging them.
Check My Church The irony here is that many times the pastors demanding accountability and repentance are committing the same acts that they will excommunicate Christians from their church for committing. And in certain types of churches, once these pastors are found out, instead of admitting to it and going through the steps they heap on others, it's swept under the rug, hidden from the church, and they run off to some other church to hopefully protect themselves from being held accountable. Religion makes everyone a hypocrite.
Mister Noel Really interesting points Shawn! In the first part, you made a point about the requirements of holiness being intended for the first-century church because of the apostles' presents. The second half of your presentation though, you use Paul as an example of one of those apostles who was unable to live up to those dictates. So, in your estimation, was there truly ever a new testament requirement of cleanliness and holiness for the church? After all, if even the apostles fell short, “if we say we have no sin then we are liars,” did Jesus just take it all away and say “follow me out of love and don’t worry about sin…?” If so, then who is to “ buffet” their bodies and “hold each thought captive?” Again, very thought-provoking show!
Freeman Diaz That click bait. Love your ministry. Very unique.
Perspectives on Sin
Kenia Mendes Another extraordinary, unique explanation! Thanks
Michael Carr Good stuff Shaun
Rea Peabody 20 hours ago My daughter has two sons…twins now 19….her and her husband left Mormonism about 30 yrs ago..the boys were homeschooled and have been raised to love Jesus with their heart…Now, the girls have and they are in love…My daughter and son in law are being so patient with them, and trusting, just like you are showing here, that God will guide them daily…thanks, Shaun! I'm 76 about and my stupid old flesh still raises up! I'm so glad you are passionate for God! Rea
TheProfit MoeHamHead Setting the "sin" issue aside, promiscuous behaviors are based in MENTAL ILLNESS!!! This alone should be motivation enough to avoid those who participate in those behaviors. Look around… you'll see this principle is true.
Heart of the Matter Then I guess we are all Mentally Ill.
TheProfit MoeHamHead @Heart of the Matter Really?… what a defeatist outlook. I will admit. Trying to find someone not infected with that ideology ingrained in their being has definitely been a challenge. But… the Lord has said somewhere out there are those who HAVE experienced a renewing of their mind. One just has to be patient as they cull the prospects. Unless you don't mind being bothered with the endless, daily, hourly, drama by engaging in promiscuous relationships after compromising the Truth. That's a horrendous and notorious treadmill to be stuck on. Expensive too.
Insights from The Good Samaritan
TheProfit MoeHamHead Which of the two do you see yourself as in the story of the Good Samaritan? The priest or the Levite. In the scenario you put forward, Doin' your neighbor, you totally ignore the welfare of the spouse of the slimeball. As a Good Samaritan wouldn't you have ANY sense of an obligation to help her having been victimized by her unfaithful spouse by empowering her by revealing this mess? I never heard a peep from you about the innocent half and their stake in all this. What say you?
