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New Testament Origin by George M. Lamsa
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NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN by George M. Lamsa is a succinct (104 pages in paperback) exposition that presents the author's basic argument that "no portion of [the New Testament] was originally written in Greek", but rather in Aramaic, the language commonly used in The Holy Land during the first century. Many Christian "scholars" who struggle over the subtle shades of meaning of Greek words in order to gain greater insight into Biblical passages are struggling over foreign language translations and copies of the original scrolls. Dr. Lamsa's native tongue was Aramaic and having grown up in the Near East with the ancient customs, and using some idiomatic phrases known since the time of Jesus, he was eminently qualified for his chosen life work of giving the world an English version of The Bible from the original Aramaic (the same language that Christ spoke).
NEW TESTAMENT ORIGIN is written in a very plain, straightforward, and persuasive manner. Dr. Lamsa explains his position with the use of sound logic and reasonable assumptions and the accumulated force in his thesis is bound to surprise many who are willing to put aside their dogmatic assertion that the New Testament was originally written in Greek long enough to weigh the evidence with an open mind. Lamsa writes that "Aramaic and Hebrew are the two closely related Semitic languages in which all sacred Jewish literature is written" and that the Gospel would have been written in the language commonly spoken by them at that time.
Lamsa points out that "The Greek version contains many Aramaic phrases and passages directly transliterated from Aramaic documents, such as Talita Komi, Eli Eli lmana skabachtani, Raca, Rabuni, Abba, and Maraeta." In Chapter XXII he utilizes several examples of where the Greek translator's limited understanding of the Aramaic originals he was working from made errors that become apparent only when compared with the words used in the Aramaic texts from the Eastern churches. For example, Acts 18:3, in the Bibles that are based upon the Greek scrolls, tells us that Saint Paul earned his livelihood as a "tentmaker." According to Lamsa, that was improperly translated from the Aramaic word "lawlarey" which means "saddlemaker", and furthermore that "there is no such occupation as tentmaker in the Near East. The tents are made by women in their own homes. There are, however, many expert saddlemakers who travel from town to town making saddles and leather goods."
This is a very readable and eye opening book. A MUST FOR ANY BIBLICAL STUDIES LIBRARY!
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