COMMENTS ON MAIL
from
SACRED NAME MOVEMENT FOLKS

CONTENTS PAGE FOR COMMENTS ON LETTERS

 

OBSERVATIONS ON A LETTER FROM W. C.

 

 An interesting, if perhaps typical, letter comes from WC in South Carolina. I will treasure it as characterizing what is wrong with the sacred name movement. It is typical of the movement because it points up a common problem faced by sacred name people and their teachers.
   The mailing was sent in the U. S. mail. We get some of that in addition to email. We even get a few phone calls. It contains two pieces of printed literature. There was no cover letter.
   The first piece of literature is titled The name above All names. It appears to have been written by David Hallman of Columbia, SC. It is printed on both sides of an eight and one half inch by five and one half inch page and purports to be an effort at restoring the "true name" of our Savior. The author says the "...true name is in need of restoration..." The literature gives some build up material for using a supposed Hebrew name instead of the name of Jesus which he characterizes as “a mere tag.”
   The author then makes only one point as to why he prefers Yahshua above other possible renderings of the name. He presents his logic in the following manner. “So how do you say the Saviors name in His language? Well, it would be Joshua except that the letter “J” in English was originally a “Y” sound. So his name, which has his Father's name in it, is Yahshua.”
   Of course there are numerous problems with both his logic and his conclusion, many of which are delved into elsewhere on this web site. It is not our purpose to do that here.
   The second piece of literature is a single eight and one half inch by eleven inch page folded alone its length and printed on both sides. It is by the same author and is a short exposition of Torah keeping as a means of salvation. Actually he says Torah keeping is merely proof of our faith. While he is not quite willing to claim Torah keeping as a direct means to salvation, his conclusion and the point of his paper is that if we do not keep Torah we will be lost.
   What is most noticeable about this writing is its repeated use of a supposed Hebrew name for our Savior. It gives, without comment, that name as “YAHUSHUA.”
   Here are two pieces of literature written by the same man, sent to me in the same mailing by WC, who is apparently hoping in some way to help me better understand their doctrine regarding the sacred names. Yet they publish and distribute literature giving two "original" and "true" names for Jesus.
  Their claim to know the original spelling and pronunciation of the Master's name is greatly diminished by their use and propagation of two radically differing names for him.
   These people don't have any idea what Hebrew name his mother called him. Or the angel called him. Or his followers called him. And the reason is obvious. There is no record that anyone ever wrote his name in Hebrew. If they did, where is it?
   The amazing part of this is that while using the two different names, these men seem to seriously believe they have found the original and true pronunciation of his name. Well if they have, why aren't they using the correct ONE?
   Perhaps equally amazing is their intention, even expectation that others, myself it would appear, take them seriously.
   Don't they understand they have shot their credibility in the head? It is dead!

gm