Approved languages for Christian religion

[Davis Oslo]

Hello, everyone!

Christianity is presented and functions in many languages around the world.

My question is - are there approved languages by Christian leadership or God? Can you communicate/pray to God in any language or is there a list of approved languages and an approved translation of texts and prayers?

Can a prayer in a newly formed language be understood and listened by God?

 

[TzephanYahu]

Hello @Davis Oslo,

In Genesis 11, we learn that the Most High God created and devised all the languages of the world today.

You can speak to Him in any language you wish and He'll understand you. You can read the Bible in any language you wish and you'll understand it.

That said, kerp in mind the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. Therefore, if there are any strange passages in the Bible which don't quite make sense for you, research the original language using the many great tools online, such as Biblehub or Biblegateway.

One final thing to keep in mind. God's name in the original language is Yahweh (see www.faithandtheword.com/yahweh). If you call Him God, that's fine, He'll know what you mean. But it is much more personal and intimate to use His name.

Consider you went to a small unknown island and people there referred to you as "Oddno". You would know what they mean, and accept it. But it isn't your name. However, once you taught it to them you would prefer them to use it over their own word (even though you would still respond).

The same goes for the true name of the Messiah Jesus. His name was Yahushua.

Now, don't be phased by this. Any language you speak to Yahweh in and read His word in is absolutely fine! I just wanted to make you aware of when the original language IS useful.

May Yahweh bless you with wisdom as you seek Him on this matter, in the name of the Messiah Yahushua (Jesus Christ).

Love & Shalom

 

[Radagast]

My question is - are there approved languages by Christian leadership or God?

No.

The original languages of the Bible are Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek (for example, Jesus was called Ἰησοῦς = Iēsous); but there is no requirement to use those languages.

Can you communicate/pray to God in any language

Yes -- and the Christian community is working hard at translating the Bible into every human language on the planet, including several creole languages formed relatively recently.

In the Tok Pisin creole of Papua New Guinea, for example, the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 reads:

‘Papa bilong mipela,
yu stap long heven,
nem bilong yu i mas i stap holi.
Kingdom bilong yu i mas i kam.
Mipela i mas bihainim laik bilong yu
long graun
olsem ol i save bihainim long heven.
Nau yu ken givim mipela kaikai
inap long dispela de.
Na yu ken lusim
ol rong bilong mipela,
olsem mipela i save lusim ol rong
ol arapela i mekim long mipela.
Na yu no ken larim ol traim
i kamap long mipela,
tasol yu ken kisim bek mipela
long ol samting nogut.’

Can a prayer in a newly formed language be understood and listened by God?

Certainly.

I don't quite know what you mean by "a newly formed language," however.

People can say prayers in Klingon, and God would understand them; but I'd question how serious the people praying were being.

 

[com7fy8]

Revelation 5:9 and Revelation 14:6 speak of the great multitude of people who will be of every "tongue". I see how this can mean God recognizes every language, and it is a good testimony how ones of every language will be included as God's children.

 

[Radagast]

Revelation 5:9 and Revelation 14:6 speak of the great multitude of people who will be of every "tongue". I see how this can mean God recognizes every language, and it is a good testimony how ones of every language will be included as God's children.

Revelation 5:9-10 says: And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

This is of course one of the Bibles passages that motivates people to translate the Bible into every human language on the planet.

 

[Davis Oslo]

Hello @Davis Oslo,

In Genesis 11, we learn that the Most High God created and devised all the languages of the world today.

Thank you for replying! Languages created after the events of Genesis 11 are not excluded, correct?

No.

I don't quite know what you mean by "a newly formed language," however.

If I create a language specifically for praying purposes, in order to ease the process in massively shortening the number of words you need to use to address the issue. For example, prayer ''Our Father'' contains 56 words. I create a language that contains single words that could be translated into English as sentences or paragraphs. Then if I understand the meaning and know all 56 words from ''Our Father'' in English create a single word for it in my language and then use this one single word to address God in an issue, will it be heard? Well, maybe not me, but a person who truly believes in the message and its purpose uses this single word. Please, don't take to seriously, I just had this thought.

 

[Radagast]

If I create a language specifically for praying purposes, in order to ease the process in massively shortening the number of words you need to use to address the issue.

I can't imagine circumstances in which people would do that.

With regards to recency, I mentioned (and quoted the Lord's Prayer in) the language Tok Pisin, which only came into being after the year 1850.

Even English, as a hybrid of French and Anglo-Saxon, did not exist before the year 1066.

 

[PloverWing]

My question is - are there approved languages by Christian leadership or God? Can you communicate/pray to God in any language or is there a list of approved languages and an approved translation of texts and prayers?

What an interesting question, for today of all days.

As you may know, Christians celebrate today as the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was manifested through the gift of speaking in the wide variety of languages represented in the Roman Empire. God's message was communicated in all these different languages.

I see in this story an invitation to worship and pray in all of our varied human languages, and to express the truths about God using the many languages that humans speak.

 

[TzephanYahu]

Languages created after the events of Genesis 11 are not excluded, correct?

Hey there,

Absolutely. Dunno about Klingon though!

I create a language that contains single words that could be translated into English as sentences or paragraphs. Then if I understand the meaning and know all 56 words from ''Our Father'' in English create a single word for it in my language and then use this one single word to address God in an issue, will it be heard? Well, maybe not me, but a person who truly believes in the message and its purpose uses this single word. Please, don't take to seriously, I just had this thought.

I believe it would be acceptable. Look at it this way: if you had a son who done the same to you, wouldn't you understand his heart and he would be acceptable to you?

The message of Yahweh is deeper than the words you see on paper in the Bible. They are literal, yes, but the message is inbetween the lines and the context is understood in a way that supersedes the limitations and trappings of language.

Therefore, don't worry about using any particular language when talking to Yahweh. Instead, express and understand from the heart. Then you will be truly communicating with Him.

I hope that makes sense in some way!

Love & Shalom

 

[eleos1954]

Hello, everyone!

Christianity is presented and functions in many languages around the world.

My question is - are there approved languages by Christian leadership or God? Can you communicate/pray to God in any language or is there a list of approved languages and an approved translation of texts and prayers?

Can a prayer in a newly formed language be understood and listened by God?

God knows our thoughts .... doesn't matter about what language we use.

Psalm 94:11
The Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Psalm 139:4
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

Matthew 9:4
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand

Prayer can be .... and often is .... communicating through our thoughts with the Lord