03-03-2008, 06:11 AM
The best complete translation of the whole Peshitta including the Hebrew scriptures is Lamsa???s translation, the result of his life???s work carefully accomplished singlehandedly without the aid of computers. It is primarily a linguistic accomplishment, which he carefully documented in his books and commentaries, of which I think I have every one. Yes his translation has some flaws and not everyone agrees with his views of Aramaic idioms.
If Lamsa were able to speak today, I believe he would not agree with the Unity School or Rocco Errico. Lamsa???s was a dedicated Christian trained in Anglican schools. Yes, he accepted financial support from various sources so that his life???s work could progress, but he also remained staunchly independent and resistant to outside influences.
The George Lamsa that I met and talked with for two hours many years ago was theologically orthodox. He did not support new age movements. With regard to his theology and linguistics his commentaries are the best source of his views. It is clear that he was no crackpot and his translation of the Peshitta though not perfect is certainly NOT ???SPIRITUALLY UNSAFE???.
With regard to Hebrews 4: 9-10, here are Lamsa???a own words from NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY, A.J. Holman Company, 1945, pp. 460-461:
GOD???S LAW IS ETERNAL (Hebrews 4:9-10)
The fourth commandment decrees that the seventh day must be observed as a day of rest. This is because God completed the creation of heaven and earth in six days and on the seventh day rested from his work (Gen, 2:2). ???six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:.... For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it??? (Exod. 20: 9-11), The Eastern text reads ???Therefore, the people of God must observe the Sabbath.???
The Sabbath is to be kept until man enters into eternal rest and dwells forever with his Creator. Palestine is symbolical of heaven, and the Sabbath is a symbol of everlasting rest. The Hebrews, after entering into the promised land, rested from their many desert difficulties and trials. They found food, wine, honey and other comforts and luxuries which are not within the reach of desert dwellers, In other words, they found some physical rest, but were far off from the new Jerusalem and eternal rest. And even after their conquest of Palestine the Hebrews were often harassed and defeated by their enemies.
Joshua brought them into the land of promise, but because it took them many centuries before they were able to subdue some of their enemies, Joshua could not give them eternal rest. David, four hundred years later, spoke of another day.
Therefore, it is necessary for the people to keep the law of God and observe the Sabbath until they enter into the kingdom of God. The law and the prophets remain as of yore until all things are fulfilled and the forces of evil destroyed. Jesus did no come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. Christians must labor hard in order to hasten God???s reign, so that they may enter into his kingdom and his eternal rest.
If Lamsa were able to speak today, I believe he would not agree with the Unity School or Rocco Errico. Lamsa???s was a dedicated Christian trained in Anglican schools. Yes, he accepted financial support from various sources so that his life???s work could progress, but he also remained staunchly independent and resistant to outside influences.
The George Lamsa that I met and talked with for two hours many years ago was theologically orthodox. He did not support new age movements. With regard to his theology and linguistics his commentaries are the best source of his views. It is clear that he was no crackpot and his translation of the Peshitta though not perfect is certainly NOT ???SPIRITUALLY UNSAFE???.
With regard to Hebrews 4: 9-10, here are Lamsa???a own words from NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY, A.J. Holman Company, 1945, pp. 460-461:
GOD???S LAW IS ETERNAL (Hebrews 4:9-10)
The fourth commandment decrees that the seventh day must be observed as a day of rest. This is because God completed the creation of heaven and earth in six days and on the seventh day rested from his work (Gen, 2:2). ???six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:.... For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it??? (Exod. 20: 9-11), The Eastern text reads ???Therefore, the people of God must observe the Sabbath.???
The Sabbath is to be kept until man enters into eternal rest and dwells forever with his Creator. Palestine is symbolical of heaven, and the Sabbath is a symbol of everlasting rest. The Hebrews, after entering into the promised land, rested from their many desert difficulties and trials. They found food, wine, honey and other comforts and luxuries which are not within the reach of desert dwellers, In other words, they found some physical rest, but were far off from the new Jerusalem and eternal rest. And even after their conquest of Palestine the Hebrews were often harassed and defeated by their enemies.
Joshua brought them into the land of promise, but because it took them many centuries before they were able to subdue some of their enemies, Joshua could not give them eternal rest. David, four hundred years later, spoke of another day.
Therefore, it is necessary for the people to keep the law of God and observe the Sabbath until they enter into the kingdom of God. The law and the prophets remain as of yore until all things are fulfilled and the forces of evil destroyed. Jesus did no come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. Christians must labor hard in order to hasten God???s reign, so that they may enter into his kingdom and his eternal rest.