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The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic?

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From time to time, the Internet Shaman class, thinking they are more clever than they really are, will claim that there is an original Aramaic version of the Lord’s Prayer & then proceed to inform us that it agrees with their mystical translation/understanding of it.     Here are some examples:  There are several things wrong with their claims.  First of all, there is no documented version of an Aramaic original, nor is there any documentation of an Aramaic version of Matthew, although Eusebius, quoting Papias wrote, “ Matthew collected/composed the oracles [logia or sayings] in the Hebrew language /style; but each recorded them as he was able.” (Emphasis mine).  Notice that Papias is said to have remarked that Matthew wrote the oracles in the  Hebrew  language. Not  in Aramaic &  Not  in “the common tongue” Not  not in “the popular tongue” The assertion that there is an “Aramaic original,” in addition to being an assertion ...
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Homosexuality & Romans 1:18 - 32

The Churches continue to persist in willful ignorance & injustice regarding LGBTQ people.   In order to counter this, let’s interrogate the text of Romans 1:18 - 32 as if we are doing catechesis.   What is the purpose of the created order according to Romans 1:20?     To testify to the existence, INVISIBLE attributes of God, & to God’s authority.  Why is God’s wrath revealed from heaven?   Because people have (since the Fall) been deliberately suppressing the truth about God’s existence, INVISIBLE attributes, & authority by way of substituting the VISIBLE attributes of the created order, especially those of people & animals.  How did people in the ancient world wind up with idols that looked like people & animals?     They looked to the created order & used its VISIBLE attributes as the basis of their theology, philosophy, & ethics.   What sort of theology, philosophy, & ethics?    According...
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Tackling Tradition 81: Non-Calvinist Talking Points

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  By way of reply….. 1. Denies free will!     Affirms that we follow our own desires into sin, condemnation, & death &    — unlike libertarian free will — leaves no room for the possibility that we might not follow our own desires into any choice we make.  2. Interprets Scripture according to confessions.    How many Presbyterian elders, Reformed Baptists & others can you name who look to the WCF or 2LBCF or similar documents before they exposit the Bible?   You believe in libertarian freedom. Where can we find that in the Bible?  3. It states God hates most people!  According to Boettner, there is no reason for us to believe that the number of the elect is less than that of the reprobate.     Matthew 22 is very clear that the majority are called & fill the wedding hall.    The few are chosen for being cast into Outer Darkness.  4. It claims that Yeshua only died for a few!...
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Tackling Tradition 80: The Suffering Servant In Isaiah

Most Christians have been taught that the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 is Yeshua only, but the truth of the matter is that, insofar as He represents us all, the Suffering Servant imagery, though it finds its apex in Christ & in the LORD Himself, also applies to us all.  This article aims to explore that thesis.   Let’s begin in Chapter 52.      After opining about the oppression of His people, the LORD speaks about Himself, Messiah, & those whom the 2 of the represent.      In so doing, He prophesies over us all.     Here, in a nutshell is what God has in mind for all Israel & all people & everyone & everything.     The whole of the created order, including the animals, are included in this.     Read this as if this what God said right before He created us all.  52 7 How beautiful upon the mountains  are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who bring...
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