G-d can be called Yah, Yahweh, Yahvah, Yahveh, Iahueh, and Yaohu. Recently, a new pronunciation, Yah-oo-wah, has taken root in obscure circles. Given the fact that there were no vowels to pronounce the Hebrew until 1,000 years ago, how can some people state that a person will be eternally damned unless they say the name correctly? If they will be judged by their own judgement, as the scriptures clearly state, which group will not go to hell for using the correct pronunciation? Most who make these self-damning statements do not even speak Hebrew in the first place, and harbor a veiled disdain for those who do, thereby affirming their anti-semitism.

To avoid the eternal punishment projected onto others for not using the correct pronunciation, many groups will dismiss hell as a eternal state of non-existence instead of a place of torment. In short, they modify one truth to establish another.

I suppose it is possible that someone may be correct in their version of the pronunciation of G-d’s name, but there is a far greater likelhood they all are wrong.

Remember, according to these groups, you have to say His name correctly or be eternally damned, but hell is not a real place anyway, so what’s the point? Given the fact that their salvation is based on the correct pronunciation of a name, or works, neither grace or mercy is present or necessary in their salvation, nor is the redemptive power of the blood of Christ, another name they avoid using. Although, now that I think about it, these people do not call themselves Christians. Hmmm… In reality, they seem to look down on those who call themselves Christians, something that isn’t that difficult to do these days. Don’t make me explain why, lest we all be embarrassed.
One interesting thing that I have noticed, I have never met a Jew or anyone who speaks Hebrew, who subscribes to the sacred name doctrine, only the non-Jew. They base much of their studies on the Strong’s Concordance explanation of words, which was created for the King James Version, an undeniably inaccurate version of the Bible. They neither own a copy, nor could they read or understand the ancient manuscripts if they tried and none, that I have met, have ever attended a certified Biblical school of any sort. I wonder why that is.

Those involved with this doctrine take it upon themselves to edit the KJV (and maybe one or two other modern versions), inserting what they believe to be the current, correct pronunciation of the Name. A more accurate study source for them would be the Hebrew manuscripts, wouldn’t you think?

Indeed, I have friends that embrace these doctrines, some whom I love dearly. I often wonder (not judge them) about the status of their salvation based on their prequisite that one must say His name correctly in order to be saved, which is works. Are they dismissing the gift of G-d’s Son? If so… I still cannot judge them even though they judge me and everyone else who does not align themselves with their brand of the truth. I am, however, often saddened when I see how much joy and happiness they miss, being so focused on such a small part of their spiritual life. It is stereotypically so all-consuming with them that little else seems to matter.

I sometimes write G-d, substituting the o with a - out of tremendous respect. I have been known to use Hashem, which means, “the Name”, another gesture of reverence and respect. Both of these practices are condemned as a ploy to erase the Name. It is considered disrespectful by those who subscribe to the “say it right or go to hell” group, yet they regularly appended “Yah” or another derivitive to some version of a new name for themselves. Yerme Yah, EliYah, etc. This seems grotesquely disrespectful to me. How about you? It does seem like an attempt to elevate themselves to be equal with the Most High.

These are my thoughts and I am entitled to them as much as you are to yours. I just wonder about things like this. What if they are right and I am wrong? What if they are wrong, which based on the myriad of variables in accepted pronunciation, most of them are? I guess our judgement against others or lack thereof comes into play. We are therefore reduced to understanding and believing that our salvation can only come not by works or name calling, but by faith in the redemptive shed blood of the only begotton Son of God, Yah, Yahweh, Yahvah, Yahveh, Iahueh, Yaohu or Yahushua.

Should we call Him by name? If it is at all possible, yes. But what is that name? Even the sacred name movement cannot agree on that one point and that is the banner that they hold so high. A dear friend of mine who is Jewish states that if you put two Jews in a room, you will have three opinions. Maybe they don’t have a corner on that market after all. I’m far from anti-Semitic, but rather passing along what I have been told.

Enjoy your salvation! Enjoy your shalom, peace, well-being or however you wish to pronounce it.