I want to first state that I do not consider the "name" to necessarily be a redemptive issue although I do consider it to be very important. There are others that disagree and feel use of the wrong "name" for God or Messiah will result in definite eternal damnation. Groups or individuals with such a view are in the minority of those that wish to use the actual name for our Messiah. Don't get me wrong! I am not down playing the significance of knowing - and subsequently using - the actual name the Messiah was given and addressed as his entire life. Additionally, since he is alive now seated at the right hand of Power it is still his name!
There ARE some that are unnecessarily strict regarding the name issue. I sometimes receive emails from individuals that lash out at me and DEMAND that people should EXACTLY spell and pronounce the name of Messiah or God correctly. They, for instance, point out that Yahoshua (Yah-o-shoo-ah), not Yahshua (Yah-shoo-ah), is the more precise name of Messiah. I hasten to add that most preferring the name "Yahoshua" do not exhibit such extremism. Whereas they may be technically correct, they fail to grasp that the "o" is considered by many scholars to be silent; therefore, Yahoshua can be justifiably pronounced Yahshua (or Yeshua) with the "o" so slightly accented as to make it's precise pronunciation a moot point. In my audio teachings I use both pronunciations. Frankly, even the legalistic name-police probably do not pronounce the name correctly since they do not speak in the precise dialect of those during Yahshua's time.
Similarly, some feel "Yeshua" (Yay-shoo-ah) is the correct spelling of Messiah's name. Among them is a small minority that harshly judge those that prefer to emphasize "Yahshua" or "Yahoshua" instead of "Yeshua" as Messiah's name. [Yeshua is a post-exilic (Babylonian exile) pronunciation of Yehoshua (or Yahoshua) and is found in the Shem Tov Hebrew text of Matthew.] These individuals suggest the name Yahshua is blasphemous since they claim the term "Yah" (a shortened form of YHVH) within the name is reserved ONLY for the name of God, which makes the name "Yahshua" offensive to some individuals. So, the argument becomes one of avoiding offense. Well, a similar "offense" argument could be made regarding the name "Jesus", since many are offended when evidence is presented that the name "Jesus" is fraudulent. My response to those that use this argument regarding the name "Yeshua" is the same as it is regarding those that prefer the name "Jesus." I will use what I sincerely consider correct and will not allow the "offense" of truth to deter me from presenting what I consider truth.
I present a disclaimer on the name-articles page regarding the entire "name" issue in which I discuss how no one knows for sure how God's name is pronounced. There are many other Hebrew names that contain part of the name YHVH. The Bible is full of them. In fact, there so many such names that the term "theophoric" was coined with which to categorize them! Why is it that the name "Yahshua" is considered offensive, yet all the other names that include the name of God acceptable? If those that find the name Yahshua offensive can explain why they consider the other theophoric names acceptable I may listen to them, but until then I would prefer they shut up and stop being so offensive themselves.
The simple truth is "Yahshua" and "Yeshua" are pronounced almost EXACTLY the same! In most cases they ARE pronounced exactly the same. It is usually impossible to know from listening to someone pronounce the name how that person prefers to spell it. My name is Bruce. When one says my name they could be using various spellings - Bruce, Broose, Bruice, etc. - and I wouldn't know the difference! The names Yeshua, Yahshua, and Yahoshua are similarly equivalent. I feel those few that exhibit such ultra-sensitivity to the name "Yahshua" vs. "Yeshua" are far too judgmental and cannot PROVE, despite their insistence that they can, that "Yeshua" is any more legitimate than "Yahshua" in terms of it being the correct ancient Hebrew pronunciation (pre-exilic). As I imply, however, most that use the name "Yeshua" do not force their sincere opinion upon others since they realize scholars differ on this issue.
Scholars differ regarding the correct name of Messiah. Some say Yeshua is correct. Some say Yahshua is correct, and some say Yahoshua is correct. The fact is no one knows FOR SURE which is correct. HOWEVER, ALL REPUTABLE SCHOLARS AGREE "JESUS" IS MOST CERTAINLY NOT CORRECT. Most that use the name Yeshua have no issue with those that prefer Yahshua or Yahoshua, just as those like myself that consider Yahshua correct have no problem with those that use Yeshua or Yahoshua. I use the 3 legitimate names interchangeably since their pronunciation is indistinguishable to all but the most legalistic "heresy hunters." Sometimes others use my articles in their ministries and change the name to Yeshua where Yahshua is encountered. I have absolutely no problem at all with that. I do have a problem with the name "Jesus" and do not endorse anyone using that false name in reprints of my articles. Even then, however, I do not consider it a redemptive issue since I am quite certain God will not damn people for their ignorance of the correct name of Messiah if they are sincerely devoted to Him.
Those that DEMAND precise pronunciation of a name that no one knows for certain is even correct seem to miss the "measure for measure" teaching. "Measure for measure" is a traditional teaching within the Hebraic faith - a teaching that Yahshua supported and taught when he told us in Matthew 7:2 as well as Mark 4 and Luke 6:
The Hebraic meaning of this is that the measure or strictness with which we judge others will be the same measure applied to us in the heavenly court when we are called before it to give an account of our deeds. I would NOT want to be standing in the shoes of those that are immovably strict in the exact pronunciation of Messiah's name when they are called to appear before that court! Some "name" promoters display the grossest possible level of legalism. They make a redemptive issue out of one possible syllable of a name or even the "correct" english spelling of Messiah's name (Yeshua versus Yahshua)! They seem to be worshipping a God that is completely void of ANY grace and that is looking for a reason to damn anyone over the most trivial things! The fact is, NO ONE knows the EXACT pronunciation of the name; therefore, Yahshua, Yahoshua, or Yeshua can all be argued as "correct" - especially in terms of the actual vocalization. At the very least the differences are trivial and most certainly should not be judged as redemptive as done by those that wish to impose the ultimate forms of legalism upon us.
[NOTE! Feb. 23, 2003 - Lately, long after this article was first written, I've begun to use "Yeshua" more and more, but only because it is quicker and easier for me to type. (the "Ye" is easier to type than the "Yah") Like I said, I consider the names to be identical since their pronunciation IS virtually identical; therefore, do not be confused or think I'm suffering from some sort of name schizophrenia if you encounter both names, "Yeshua" and "Yahshua," on this web site.]
Where I may consider it redemptive is in those situations where the true HEBRAIC name (Yeshua, Yahshua, or Yahoshua) is viciously attacked. Such attacks are not against a mere word, but are against THE name of THE Messiah! Common sense suggests such attacks are, at the very least, disappointing to the Almighty Creator. So, it may very well be that those who vehemently attack the Hebraic name may be risking eternal damnation since their attacks are actually against the one to whom the name applies, but that is not for me to say. What IS clear is that Scripture DOES appear to emphasize the "name" as being a crucial issue, despite the fact most Christians consider it unimportant. Some of the other "name" articles accessible from this web site prove that.
The fury with which some attack the OBVIOUS correct names for Messiah and Elohim (God) while promoting known FALSE names, suggest something very sinister and dark about their true motives. But this only applies to leaders that do not have the excuse of ignorance. The vast majority of Christians are sincere and simply are not aware of the true names; however, this ignorance is not a reasonable excuse for those in leadership positions. If they are that ignorant, they have no right to be leaders. Now to the discussion.
Countless numbers of defiant Constantinian Christians actually promote the following outrageous position - a position that defies all common sense reason - a fact of which many Christian leaders are fully aware:
I will be blunt. The idea that the Jewish Messiah would be given a Greek name that then changed when a new letter was added to an English alphabet 1600 years later is brainless! It is utterly crazy, and those that promote this fallacy provide evidence for evolutionists who think we all evolved from apes, since such people exhibit the intelligence of a primate! Harsh? Well, the simple truth is sometimes harsh, especially for those that refuse to accept it. Worse still, millions upon millions are actually too brainwashed by Constantinian Christian merchants of deception (and anti-Semitism) to see the truth! Such blindness is predicted for those that embrace the "spirit of delusion."
Constantinian Christianity has:The unmessianic man-God "christ" promoted by Christianity is a replacement Messiah (anti-Messiah), which Constantinian Christianity uses to replace, usurp, and oppose the authentic and scriptural HEBRAIC Messiah revealed in the pages of the New Testament. (Read my article on the antichrist for further insight into Christianity's promotion of the antichrist.)
It is a fact! The use of the name "Jesus" is irrefutable evidence that Christian leaders promote intentional error for the sake of tradition. There is no argument, and anyone that attempts to make an argument can be easily shown their error. The true name of the Messiah is no "mystery". Christian leaders have known since the very beginnings of the "church" that the name of the Messiah is not "Jesus". Whereas one could argue the early Greek name of Iesous may have been an innocent mistake, there is no excuse why today Christian leaders continue to willfully promote a name for the Messiah that is undeniably false. Well meaning Christians often quote Acts 4:12 and Philippians 2:9-11.
Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Yahshua every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Yahshua Messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christians quote these passages with great fervor and love for the lord yet use an incorrect name! Perhaps Christians should, themselves, seriously take these passages to heart and use "none other" than the actual name! Since they proclaim there is "none other name ... whereby we must be saved", and since that name is most certainly NOT "Jesus", Christians should use the real name - the name with which "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him"! It is bizarre to see Christians use these passages to enforce calling upon the name of Messiah then violate them themselves by calling on a false name! Perhaps the time has come for sincere Christians to honor their Messiah by using his God-given name, "Yahshua", instead of the man-given name of "Jesus".
Unfortunately, our opponents that choose to intentionally use what is proven to be a false name often slander us by placing all promoters of the lord's true name into the category they negatively refer to as "name fanatics". I agree there are some that even I consider "name fanatics"; however, those within Constantinian Christianity that oppose the true Hebraic name practice unjust stereotyping and are often aware that the name we use is correct. I will not go into the details surrounding the evolution (some reasonably prefer the term paganizing) of the name "Yahshua" into "Jesus" since there are other articles on this site that present the information.
One must ask who are the real "name fanatics"? Why are those that use the correct name persecuted? Frankly those that use the name "Jesus" are the true "name fanatics" since, because of a fanatical embrace of tradition they intentionally suppress and oppose a simple truth! Why is it those of us that trust in the true Messiah Yahshua and call him by the name he knows as his own are condemned as "fanatics"!
The name "Jesus" is also sad proof of the stiff-necked attitude of most Christian leaders. Who is actually wrong? The facts prove that promoters of the name "Jesus" are wrong, but their pride will not allow them to move to correct this clear false practice. Why do they ignore, censor, or attack reverence of the true name, Yahshua? Perhaps it is because all denominations - not just Catholicism - unwisely elevate their leaders to god-like positions of infallibility and even consider them almost "divine lawmakers" with power to actually overrule the true Divine Lawgiver. The refusal of Christian leaders to break with tradition even when they have no basis for their position is astounding.
The determined use of a false name for the Messiah is a clear example to which one can point to prove how the "church" prefers traditional error instead of truth even when the error is blatantly obvious. Strangely, most leaders acknowledge the error yet prefer - for puzzling reasons - to promote a false name! It must also be recognized how the intentional use of a false name proves how deeply anti-Semitism and anti-Judaic feeling infest Christianity, since one of the unspoken reasons for failure to use the true name is because it is Jewish. Since Christianity (not to be confused with the true Messianic faith) was designed by the "church fathers" from the start to oppose Judaism, as well as the TRUE Messianic faith that is TOTALLY Hebraic, there is unyielding opposition to the use of the true Jewish name for our Jewish lord from the Jewish tribe of Judah!
Some people mistakenly argue that "Jesus" is the "English translation of Yahshua." They argue that names change depending upon the culture in which the name is spoken, despite the fact such is NOT the case with virtually every other Hebrew name one can think of. Even today Americans, Brits, etc. refer to an Israeli by his or her Israeli (Hebrew) name. Examples include Benyamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Barak, Yitzak Rabin, and Yosef. (Note Yosef and Benyamin are often pronounced as Joseph and Benjamin due to the "J" conspiracy I will discuss a bit later.)
I will provide three irrefutable arguments proving that "Jesus" is NOT the "English translation of Yahshua."
When these facts are uncovered from the centuries of intentional deception perpetrated by the "church," even hard line Christians, IF they are sincere, will have to concede that the name "Jesus" is a fabricated lie conceived by Christian leaders and promoted for centuries.
Within the discussion of the first verse of the gospel of Mark in the book Wuest Word Studies in the Greek New Testament we find the following:
"... Jesus Christ (Iesous Christos), Iesous, (pronounced yay'-soos) the transliterated form of the Hebrew word we know as Jehoshua, which means, “Jehovah saves;” Christos, the transliterated form of the Greek word which means “The Anointed One; ...”
In the quote just shown the author is stating:
So what does it mean to "transliterate" something? The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines transliterate as:
trans•lit•er•ate: to represent or spell in the characters of another alphabet
That same reference defines "translation" as:
trans•la•tion: a rendering from one language into another; also : the product of such a rendering
Similarly, the internet source, MSN Learning & Research Plus, gives the following definitions:
transliterate - transcribe something into another alphabet: to represent a letter or word written in one alphabet using the corresponding letter or letters of another, so that the sound of the letter or word remains approximately the same.
translation - 1. version in another language: a word, phrase, or version in another language that has a meaning equivalent to that of the original. 2. expressing of something in a different language: the rendering of something written of spoken in one language in words of a different language.
In other words, to transliterate a word from one language to another the scholar takes the letters (spelling) of the original language and replaces the letters with the corresponding letters from the alphabet of the language into which the word is being transliterated. This is sometimes done by replacing the first letter of the original language with the first letter of the final language, the second letter of the original language with the second letter of the final language, the third letter with the third, etc. The result is a totally different word that is NOT a translation. It may also have been an attempt to render a similar sounding word without regard to the true representation of the name. I have seen material from others who present evidence that the Greek word Iesous may have been similar in pronunciation to Yahshua, especially to the Greek scribes that edited the New Testament and who were NOT Hebrew. However, .
On the other hand, to translate a word the scholar takes the word from the original language and translates or transforms it into an equivalent word in the second language. The focus of translation is to render the meaning of a word from one language to another or into an equivalent word of the second language; however, the focus of transliteration is to render the spelling or sound of a word from one language to another.
There are some excellent discussions found in the book, Come Out of Her My People, by C. J. Koster, that reveal how the false Greek name for Messiah, Iesous, is pronounced identically to the name of the Ionic Greek goddess of healing, Ieso and that Iesous may be a masculine equivalent. Of course, Yahshua was a healer and, therefore, perfectly fits the pagan Greek concept of a god of healing.
The point is that "Jesus" allegedly originates from a transliteration of Messiah's name that today, as "Jesus," is not even close to the pronunciation of his actual name. It doesn't sound like the original name! So, "Jesus" is a defective pronunciation of the original Greek word, Iesous, which was an alleged transliteration and may or may not have sounded similar to his true name in the Greek language of that day. The most profound fact, however, is that Christian leaders know "Jesus" is NOT the true name yet continue to intentionally avoid using the true name. They knowingly promote a false name for Messiah! This is a fact, despite the attempts of Christian leaders to conceal the truth.
I can't think of a single person I have ever known from ANY country on earth who went by a "translated" or "transliterate" name that sounded NOTHING like their true name. I've met lots of people from Europe, Asia, middle-east, and other countries, but I cannot think of a single individual that wished to be called by a "translated" or "transliterated" name, which was completely different from their real name. Even if their name was difficult to pronounce in English they still wished the name to be used, and myself and others would do our best to do so.
It was (and IS) considered rude to use a false "nickname" for people unless they personally give permission. I do not recall a verse anywhere in the Bible in which Yahshua was asked if his true name could be replaced with something else, nor do I recall him giving anyone permission to do so! In fact, quite the OPPOSITE is true!
The TRUE name of Messiah, "Yahshua," is the only example I personally know of where people claim it is ok to change his name to suit the language in which it is used. I'm sure there are possibly other examples some of you may be aware of, but I'm simply speaking for myself. And I know of NO other examples.
But all the discussion over "translation" vs. "transliteration" is really not necessary, and it does not matter if you disagree with me on that point. In fact, I've even considered removing that particular issue from this article since it really doesn't matter. If you wish to believe that "jesus" is a translation, fine! I will not waste my time arguing about it because it still does not prove that "jesus" is Messiah's actual name.
The point is that "Jesus" is NOT Messiah's name. No amount of excuses from christian "scholars" or anyone else who prefers the name "Jesus" can change that simple, undeniable fact. Anyone that tells you "Jesus" is the true name for Messiah is either ignorant of the truth, does not wish to admit the truth, or is a blatant liar!
Yahshua is a Jew. He was given a Jewish name. His family, all his friends, and all his original followers called him by his TRUE Jewish name. I want to be his friend; therefore, I will do likewise.
We have already seen that the name "Jesus" comes from a transliteration and is NOT a translation at all! However, stiff-necked traditionalists and intentional deceivers will still refuse to acknowledge the truth. Ok, then how can they reject proof from the very passages of the New Testament. Let's see them squirm to avoid that!
The New Testament translators accidentally uncover the error of the fanciful argument that "Jesus" is an "English translation" and therefore further expose the deceit of many that promote the name "Jesus". We have already shown that "Jesus" is NOT the English translation of Yahshua's name. It can be further proven from the New Testament, and Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 do so. Note the verses as rendered in the King James Version:
Now note the exact same verses taken from the Updated New American Standard Version:
In BOTH of these verses the person being referred to is Joshua - the servant of Moses that lead Israel into the promised land. The reason the KJV says "Jesus" is because it comes from the exact same Greek word, Iesous, and the King James Version translators apparently either did not catch the error or, more probably, chose to perpetuate Christianity's anti-Hebraic lie.
These verses help to further understand the difference between translation and transliteration. "Joshua" is NOT a transliteration, but it does come from the Greek word Iesous, which IS a transliteration. "Joshua" is a correct translation from the original Hebrew and is the actual "english translation" of Messiah's name. The translators CORRECTLY rendered "Joshua" because they knew it to be the TRUE translation of the original Hebrew name for the servant of Moses. In short, they ignored the Greek transliteration, Iesous, because they knew it to be faulty.
Now, the question for those that claim "Jesus" is the correct English rendering of "Yahshua" is this: if the translators of Scripture elsewhere, especially in the Tanakh (Old Testament) and also in most modern versions of the New Testament, CORRECTLY render the SAME Greek word, Iesous, as "Joshua" in Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8, why do they refuse to correct the false rendering of "Jesus" for the name of our Messiah? IT IS THE SAME GREEK WORD! The English equivalent of Messiah's name is "Joshua" (Yahshua), NOT "Jesus." Why is Messiah's name correctly translated ONLY in the cases where it doesn't apply to him? Why does Christianity willfully refuse to correctly render Messiah's Hebrew name even when they correctly render the exact same Greek word in cases where he is not the one being referenced?
So, what this shows is that even translators know "Jesus" is NOT correct. So, why is the most important name ever given purposely mistranslated and promoted by Traditional Christianity? Why is "Joshua" the "English translation of Yahshua" in most verses of Scripture (notably the Old Testament and everywhere Joshua is mentioned in the New), and "Jesus" suddenly the "English translation of Yahshua" in others? Which is actually the "English translation"? THE CORRECT TRANSLATION IS YAHSHUA!
Another VERY revealing bit of evidence can be seen from the fact that there was no "J" common in the English language until around the 16th century. Prior to that time, those words now shown with a J were pronounced as though the J was a Y. So "Joshua," even in English, is proven conclusively to be "Yahshua" when the original Y sound is used. Thus, it is IMPOSSIBLE for "Jesus" to be anything close to the true name, because the "J" sound did not exist when he was alive! Did you get that? The name "Jesus" is proven to be incorrect simply from the fact the word "Jesus" did not exist until only 500 years ago because there was no such thing as a J in the language! This fact alone PROVES "Jesus" is a false name!
Furthermore, as mentioned previously, there is a LOT of powerful and convincing evidence that shows the Greek name for Messiah, Iesous, may be derived from the name of a pagan deity! YES, "JESUS" IS A WORD WHICH MAY DERIVE FROM THE NAME FOR A PAGAN GREEK GOD! IT MAY GIVE HONOR TO A PAGAN DEITY! The aforementioned book, Come Our of Her My People, by C. J. Koster, provides a LOT of evidence of this as well as many other proofs of Christianity's pagan foundations. Of course, few Christians dare investigate these things for fear of what they may discover. Their fears are well founded since they WILL find ample facts proving Constantinian Christianity to be a counterfeit, Babylonian based. A religion that may represent part of Satan's plan to usurp God and establish himself as the recipient of mankind's worship.
Hellooo? Why are preachers intentionally discarding and censoring the true name for Messiah and using a false name that may honor a pagan god in its place?
The name issue is crucial for a number of reasons, not the least of which is how it proves an intentional embrace of tradition instead of truth within Christianity! IF the church can't even get the name right - one of THE most basic things - how can one believe their other doctrines are correct?
The name "Jesus" is proof-positive of serious foundational errors in Christianity. It is an irrefutable fact, regardless of how uncomfortable it may seem to Christians, that they are CLEARLY utilizing a false name whenever they use the name "Jesus". Sadly, most Christians don't care! I don't know about you, but if church leaders can't get the name right, I'm not going to trust them with anything else - especially not my eternal soul!
It is irrefutable that "Jesus" is NOT the correct name. Actually, the practice of name usage is totally abandoned in the case of the name of Messiah! Common practice is to call one by their native name no matter where they are from. That has always been the case. So, why is it that the name of Messiah is an instance where Christians break that practice? It is because of tradition and the anti-Semitic nature of Christianity. I have little patience with those that defy the clear common sense of this issue and prefer to use a paganized name for my Messiah.
For those of us that wish to honor the true name of our Messiah along with his God and Father - the One and Only God - passages such as the following which describe the last days leap from the pages of the New Testament as we endure the slander of those that prefer to worship tradition. Though these passages may apply more broadly, the bitterness we have witnessed regarding our promoting of the use of the Messiah's actual name suggests they certainly also apply directly to the name issue.
Matthew 24:9
9 Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name.
The New American Standard Bible, (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1977.
Mark 13:13
13 And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.
The New American Standard Bible, (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1977.
Luke 21:17
17 and you will be hated by all on account of My name.
The New American Standard Bible, (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1977.
Revelation 2:13
13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.
Revelation 3:8
8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.
Christianity is a religion that was birthed in Jewish and Hebraic hatred in the first 4 centuries, a birth that resulted in a brand new and, in many ways, unscriptural false religion. Unfortunately, very few Christians ever independently research the first 4 centuries of "Christianity"; therefore, they really have no idea how or when the foundations of their faith began or of what was discarded when "the baby was thrown out with the bath water". Frankly, most Traditional Christians, because of woefully poor or non-existent Bible study, have no clue as to what (or who) they are actually following. It took over 30 years before I finally recognized what I had been following my entire life! Sadly, it is improbable that you will hear a truthful history (or Bible) lesson from the pulpit, since the pulpit is where the salesmen of deception market their products.
A dark secret festers within Christianity. A secret that for over 1600 years has been successfully hidden from all but the most determined and studious men and women. The "antichrist" as well as the Beast that intended (and still tries) to "change times and laws" has been hiding in plain sight and hardly anyone notices or even cares. Time is short - shorter than you may think. The time has come to care and get yourself right with God! Once you recognize the true spirit of the "antichrist" and the Beast that entices virtually the entire world to follow him and makes use of the false prophet(s), the demonic reasons for the countless false teachings within Christianity suddenly begin to make sense. Particularly eye opening are false teachings that directly conceal basic truths about God and the Messiah. I believe the unexplainable and intentional censorship of the true name of Messiah may be a clue to far greater evils within Traditional Christianity.