Mutilated by Beasts / Light-hearted Limericks / Aramaic Bible?

Good morning from Northern England. Psalm 118:24!

Today’s offerings include a Q&A on the original Scriptures, another glimpse at the early Christian writers, an opportunity to meet a need in the global teaching ministry—plus some light-hearted limericks. I hope you’ll find something intriguing, stimulating, or inspiring!

Q&A: Original Bible in Aramaic?

Q: Aramaic is the language Jesus spoke. I've been learning about the language, and own a Bible that’s translated from the ancient near eastern Peshitta—directly from the Aramaic. What do you say? — J.M.

A: True, Aramaic was the common language of Jews living in Palestine. Outside Palestine, most spoke Greek. And yes, the Peshitta is written in Syriac, which is a dialect of Aramaic. The Peshitta occasionally sheds light on biblical interpretation, but it is not the original language of the Bible—apart from 1% of the Old Testament (mainly parts of Daniel and Ezra). The other 99% is in Hebrew. The Old Testament Peshitta dates to the 2nd century AD.

The original language of the NT is Greek—the language most commonly spoken in the 1st century Mediterranean. The opinion that the original Bible was in Aramaic is the same error as that lying behind The Passion “Translation,” which we discussed in a recent Q&A.

EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITINGS (5)

Our series from the Ante-Nicene Fathers continues. Last week we took a quick peek at Ignatius’ first two letters, Ephesians and Magnesians. Today we’ll touch on the next three, written to communities in Tralles, Rome, and Philadelphia.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians (107 AD)
Ignatius tells the Trallians that, after his death, Christ descended into the grave and arose with a multitude (ch. ix). Ignatius understands this to refer to the remarkable event of Matt 27:52. Although the Church Fathers held different views as to what Christ did during the time between his crucifixion and resurrection, they all agreed that he descended into the underworld / Sheol / Hades. The event was considered so important that it’s part of the Apostles’ Creed (4th / 5th century), although it isn’t referred to in the Nicene Creed (325 AD, revised 381).

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans (107 AD)
“I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments to you. They were apostles; I am but a condemned man” (ch. iv). He has been condemned to death—but then so were many of the apostles! As we’ve seen in his other letters, Ignatius holds a high view of leadership, yet at the same time he dares not claim to be an apostle. He knows the difference between apostolic authority and his own convictions.

After expressing the desire to be martyred by mauling—mutilation by beasts—Ignatius reflects, “Now I begin to be a disciple. And let no one, of things visible or invisible, envy me that I should attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ” (ch. v). Again we find the notion we explored last week, that discipleship is a process. We don’t “arrive”; we’re on the way. And yet Ignatius’ words about his upcoming torture and death (bravado?) feel overdone, as though he revels in pain. He seems to take it further than the apostle Paul (Rom 5:3; Col 1:24).

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians (107 AD)
Some evidently believed Christians should follow Torah. (And there are more and more in our own day who hold to such a position. This is the reason I wrote Messianic Judaism: Do Christians Have to Follow the Old Testament?) The view of Ignatius (and other patristic writers): “But if anyone preach the Jewish law to you, listen not to him” (vi). We will find this view expressed repeatedly in the course of our study of the Church Fathers.

In the 6th installment of our series, we will take a look at:

• The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrneans. Smyrna (modern Izmir, the 3rd largest city in Turkey) was addressed by the risen Christ in Revelation 2. Ignatius’ letter was penned only about 20 years after Jesus’ letter through John (Rev 2:8-11).

• The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp. This is Ignatius’ only surviving letter to an individual, Polycarp—one who knew the apostle John in the flesh. Like Ignatius, Polycarp would be martyred too, though several decades later.

SPONSORED WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP

People often ask, “How can we help the ministry?” One great way is to provide teaching materials, especially to those for whom finances, commercial access, or restrictive governments make this difficult or impossible. Online materials are easy to share, and difficult for restrictive governments to block.

There are currently more requests than we can fund, without your help. Would you like to sponsor anyone for a membership, in Ghana, Asia, or the Middle East? This week we’re seeking donors for Pakistan (with whom I’ll connect indirectly in few weeks, on my Asian trip); Ghana and Nigeria (the West African nations with which this ministry has most often collaborated); and the UAE (where I taught a few months ago).

• Pakistan — 5 subscriptions

• Ghana — 2 subscriptions

• Nigeria — 20 subscriptions

• United Arab Emirates — 100 subscriptions

We’ll list more locations soon. If you’re interested in purchasing subscription(s) for brothers and sisters in any of these countries, simply reply to this newsletter and I’ll contact you.

LIGHT-HEARTED LIMERICKS (part 1)

• There was an old fellow of Trinity / A doctor well versed in divinity / But he took to freethinking / And then to deep drinking / And soon had to leave the vicinity.

• A clergyman told from his text / How Samson was scissored and vexed: / Then a barber arose / From his sweet Sunday doze, / Got rattled, and shouted, “Who’s next?”

• I sat next to the Bishop at tea; / It was just as I feared it would be. / His rumblings abdominal / Were simply phenomenal, / And everyone thought it was me!

Key—1: Trinity = a college. Divinity = theology. 2: See Judges 16. More limericks next week.

BYE!

And on that light note, it’s time to sign off.

But first, for your prayerful attention: AIM US-GA (Old Testament Survey, beginning in 3 days), AIM UK-Ireland (Family Life, beginning 14 September), and an Asian teaching tour (12-23 September). Thank you.

Yours in Him,
Douglas