10-29-2012, 04:16 PM
In reading the Peshitta, I've developed two charts that track every occurrence of the root word alma or more precisely EaLM (ayin-lamed-mem) in the gospels of John and Matthew:
I see that by focusing on the article in the word (definite form ends in Aleph, whereas indefinite form has no A at the end), the word alma (or EaLM) can be translated consistently each time as "world/age" - meaning 'world and/or age'. In its definite form it is "the/this world/age". And in the indefinite form it is "a world/age". There are only very few instances where ?alma? is plural in the literal gospel: EaLMiYN (see for example Matthew 6:13).
I realize that coventional doctrine teaches the phrase "eternal life", but I just didn't find that phrase to be literal or necessary from the text. My understanding is that eternal means outside the time dimension, whereas everlasting means infinite time. Neither translation (eternal or everlasting) is required by the literal text. Moreover, where those translations (eternal or everlasting) are applied, the result is often an illogical sentence. This made me wonder whether inconsistent translation is a form of hypocrisy. (Side note: translation is a tough job and more of a process than a conclusion, so I figure it's important to be forgiving with translators).
I figure that if the gospel was going to suggest infinity, the apostle writer could have done so literally by saying ?time (zbna) that does not end? or ?time that cannot end?. Or something along those lines. But those words do not appear in the literal gospel anywhere as far as I can tell. Accordingly, I deduct from this word study that those who preach infinite time do so of their own assumptions because their assumptions are not supported by the literal text. The Messiah invited us to follow his word, not the translator?s word, right? At best, the word is written on our hearts -- I don?t think it?s possible to write a desire for infinite torment of creatures on a loving heart.
Thus, I conclude from the literal text of the Peshitta that the dogma/doctrine of 'everlasting torment in hell' comes from a false translation of the root word alma, or in Greek aion.
With that said, I gather the concept of an eternal life for the faithful and law abiding (a life outside the time dimension of this world) is not technically at odds with the literal gospel (i.e., because we cannot predict/prophecy the spacetime mechanics of the new world to come). But as far as I can tell, the literal gospel never used any sentence or phrase that was so explicit as to guarantee a life continuing for a heavenly infinity (everlasting time) such that the soul could not be destroyed later or converted/given back toward a finite world (i.e., if the soul later transgressed YHVH and was cast LEaLaM).
- Matthew: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.logicalhierarchy.com/Alma-Chart.html">http://www.logicalhierarchy.com/Alma-Chart.html</a><!-- m -->
John: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.logicalhierarchy.com/alma-chart-for-gospel-of-john.htm">http://www.logicalhierarchy.com/alma-ch ... f-john.htm</a><!-- m -->
I see that by focusing on the article in the word (definite form ends in Aleph, whereas indefinite form has no A at the end), the word alma (or EaLM) can be translated consistently each time as "world/age" - meaning 'world and/or age'. In its definite form it is "the/this world/age". And in the indefinite form it is "a world/age". There are only very few instances where ?alma? is plural in the literal gospel: EaLMiYN (see for example Matthew 6:13).
I realize that coventional doctrine teaches the phrase "eternal life", but I just didn't find that phrase to be literal or necessary from the text. My understanding is that eternal means outside the time dimension, whereas everlasting means infinite time. Neither translation (eternal or everlasting) is required by the literal text. Moreover, where those translations (eternal or everlasting) are applied, the result is often an illogical sentence. This made me wonder whether inconsistent translation is a form of hypocrisy. (Side note: translation is a tough job and more of a process than a conclusion, so I figure it's important to be forgiving with translators).
I figure that if the gospel was going to suggest infinity, the apostle writer could have done so literally by saying ?time (zbna) that does not end? or ?time that cannot end?. Or something along those lines. But those words do not appear in the literal gospel anywhere as far as I can tell. Accordingly, I deduct from this word study that those who preach infinite time do so of their own assumptions because their assumptions are not supported by the literal text. The Messiah invited us to follow his word, not the translator?s word, right? At best, the word is written on our hearts -- I don?t think it?s possible to write a desire for infinite torment of creatures on a loving heart.
Thus, I conclude from the literal text of the Peshitta that the dogma/doctrine of 'everlasting torment in hell' comes from a false translation of the root word alma, or in Greek aion.
With that said, I gather the concept of an eternal life for the faithful and law abiding (a life outside the time dimension of this world) is not technically at odds with the literal gospel (i.e., because we cannot predict/prophecy the spacetime mechanics of the new world to come). But as far as I can tell, the literal gospel never used any sentence or phrase that was so explicit as to guarantee a life continuing for a heavenly infinity (everlasting time) such that the soul could not be destroyed later or converted/given back toward a finite world (i.e., if the soul later transgressed YHVH and was cast LEaLaM).