The Universality of Christ: Reflecting on the Names of Jesus Across Cultures

The Universality of Christ: Reflecting on the Names of Jesus Across Cultures
By Bobby Darvish | darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian conservative, I often reflect on the diverse ways Jesus is named and recognized across cultures and languages. In Aramaic, the language Jesus Himself spoke, His name was "Yeshua" (ישוע), which directly translates to "Joshua" in English. However, through the process of Greek and Latin translations, this name became "Iesous" in Greek and then "Jesus" in Latin and English. In my own Persian culture, Jesus is referred to as "Isa" (عیسی), which reflects Islamic usage, while in Arabic-speaking Christian communities, He is often called "Yasoua" (يسوع). These variations in names are simply linguistic adaptations, much like how "God" in English is known as "Allah" in Arabic or "Khoda" in Persian. The essence of faith, however, transcends these differences in nomenclature.

What truly matters is the recognition of Christ as the Savior and Lord, regardless of the specific name used to address Him. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:12-13: "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (NIV). This biblical truth emphasizes that the power lies in calling upon the Lord with faith, not in the linguistic variations of His name. The same Christ who is known as Yeshua, Jesus, Isa, or Yasoua is the Savior for all humanity, and that shared devotion is what unites believers across the world.

These reflections remind me of the unifying nature of Christianity, where devotion to Christ bridges cultural divides. My journey from Islam to Christianity has deepened my understanding that it is not the specific terminology or cultural expressions that define one's faith, but rather the recognition of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. As an LDS member, I embrace this universal truth, acknowledging the importance of faith and belief over linguistic differences in the name of the Lord (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995).

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Citations:

• New International Version. Holy Bible. Romans 10:12-13.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995.