4NewMuslims.us
The definitions and origins of the names of each of these major religions:
1- Judaism
Name Origin:
Judaism is derived from the name of the Jewish people, specifically the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The term “Jew” comes from “Judah” (Yehudah in Hebrew), which was one of the main tribes of ancient Israel.
Religious Context:
The term “Judaism” itself does not appear in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). The religion is identified by its followers as the faith and way of life that stems from the covenant between God and the Israelites. It is more about the practice of faith as outlined in the Torah and other Jewish texts, rather than a name given to the religion in its sacred scriptures.
2. Christianity
Name Origin:
Christianity is named after Jesus Christ, the central figure of the religion. The term “Christian” is derived from “Christ,” which is a title meaning “the Anointed One” or “Messiah” in Greek (Christos).
Religious Context:
The term “Christianity” is not used in the New Testament to refer to the religion itself. Instead, early followers of Jesus were called “Christians” as a designation of their belief in Christ (Acts 11:26). The New Testament focuses on the teachings of Jesus and the development of the early Church, rather than providing a formal name for the religion.
3. Islam
Name Origin:
Islam comes from the Arabic root “S-L-M,” which means “submission” or “surrender.” Islam literally means “submission to the will of God” (Allah).
Religious Context:
Unlike Judaism and Christianity, the name “Islam” is directly related to the core tenet of the religion itself, which is the submission to Allah. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, refers to the religion as “Islam,” and its followers are called Muslims, which means “those who submit (to God).” This reflects the essence of the religion rather than being named after a particular people or prophet.
Summary
Judaism is named after the Jewish people and their historical and cultural identity rather than the religion’s intrinsic nature.
Christianity is named after Jesus Christ, the central figure of the faith, though the term itself is not used in the New Testament to define the religion.
Islam is named after the concept of submission to God, reflecting the essence and central practice of all religions.
Understanding the origins of these names provides insight into how each religion identifies itself and its followers.