Bible in Aramic First?

[yinekka]

1. In Australia we pronounce it - ar - u - MAY - ic

2.* The canon of the New Testament (that is, which writings were to be considered as the inspired word of God) was not finalized until the 5th century. Before that the early bishops disagreed on which writings were to be included. The Gnostics, for example, viewed some writings to be inspired by God. One controversial Gnostic gospel:*

"The Council of Carthage, 397 AD, settled the Canon of New Testament Scriptures. Its decision was then sent on to Rome for confirmation.

Jerome, at the command of Pope St Damascus in 382, made a Latin Version of the New Testament, correcting the existing versions by the earliest Greek manuscripts he could find. then he translated the OT into Latin directly from the Hebrew (not the Greek Septuagint) except the Psalter, which he had previously revised from existging Latin versions." Where We Got the Bible - Henry Graham.

 

[romano]

[snip]
… I have a similar disagreement on my end as well.

My friend claims George Lamsa’s Bible is the only one to be relied upon because he translated it from Aramaic - the language he claims to have been the original source of all the books - Old and New.

metamind.net/AramaicBible.html

But when I look at this site I’m immediately drawn to the introduction as very suspicious…

I too am VERY SUSPICIOUS. Who are the people pushing ‘Aramaic Primacy’? So far as I can see their aim is to devalue the traditional NT and replace it with a concoction of their own devising. It seems to me to be part of the wider attempt to dilute and ultimately destroy Christianity. The Lamsa Bible, apart from the fact that it is apparently a very poor translation of the Syriac Peshitta, seems to be an early thrust in this direction and as such should be treated with great caution.

For those who may be interested, an excellent account of how the traditional NT came into being will be found in Chapter VI, ‘The Sources of Christian Literature’, in H. Daniel-Rops ‘The Church of Apostles and Martyrs’ (NY: Dutton, 1960), pp.254-310.

 

[Exporter]

Gnosticism is a philosophical and religious movement which started in pre-Christian times. The term is derived from the Greek word gnosis which means “knowledge”. It is pronounced with a silent “G” (NO-sis). Gnostics claimed to have secret knowledge about God, humanity and the rest of the universe of which the general population was unaware. It became one of the three main belief systems within 1st century Christianity, and was noted for three factors which differed from the two other branches of Christianity: http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/watermar/watbul1.gifNovel beliefs about Gods, the Bible and the world which differed from those of other Christian groups.http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/watermar/watbul1.gifTolerance of different religious beliefs within and outside of Gnosticism.http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/watermar/watbul1.gifLack of discrimination against women.http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/watermar/watbul1.gifA belief that salvation is achieved through knowledge. In the words of The Gnostic Apostolic Church humanity needs to be awakened and brought “to a realisation of his true nature. Mankind is moving towards the Omega Point, the Great day when all must graduate or fall. This day is also the Day of Judgement in that only those who have entered the Path of Transfiguration and are being reborn can return to the Treasury of Light.” 1The movement and its literature were essentially wiped out by the end of the 5th century CE by heresy hunters from mainline Christianity. Its beliefs are currently experiencing a rebirth throughout the world.