My Neighbor Jesus in the Light of His Own Language People and Time Paperback – Import, 24 August 2017

This straightforward account of Jesus from original documents translated from Aramaic, by George Lamsa, gives a different feel and interpretation of the well known story. For instance, the word for “camel” and “rope” are the same in Aramaic, changes the metaphor of the rich man’s ability to get into heaven being as difficult as a “camel” /“rope” through a needles’s eye. There are many such comparisons.. Bien and raised there himself, George Lamsa tells of a culture has not changed much since the time ofJesus 2000 years ago. I enjoyed his telling of the story. I am also a fan of the Lamsa Bible, a favorite translation of mine for many years.

Like Dr Lamsa's version of scripture this is to close to the standard King James to be concidered new or enlightening. The few good insights to first century culture are over shadowed by the obvious bias created by Mr. Lamsa's early training in the "Church". I was hoping for something better. It is ok but not nearly as helpful as other sources for this information. The books by Edersheim are of much greater help to understanding the first century Jeudean culture.

When I first read the title of the book, the very first thought that ran through my mind was how much closer could I be of Jesus if I am not one of his disciples? the answer came as fast as the question: You must be his neighbor. To me this book would tell me things I didn't know by reading the Bible. Things only someone as close as a neighbor would know. The little I have read so far from the book that was from a lending library has given me so much insight into so many things I've read over and over again from the Bible,there is no longer any mystery as to why did jesus say this? What did he mean by this? etc...The reading is simple and as thought someone is telling a story from a historical view. This book gave me a view about the man a have loved so much all my life, that makes him even dearer to my heart. Someone that in his simplicity has stand the test of time.

I am a long time fan of Dr. Lamsa. This book offers insight into the culture that clarifies many of the errors that we have in our understanding of the Truths of God's matchless Word. Just remember that Dr. Lamsa uses the vehicle of fiction to do this.

This book helps paint the missing picture if you've only known Jesus through the Bible. It adds the flavor of the culture; how people traveling were treated in those times, and other customs. The Author is also the translator of my favorite translation of The Holy Bible; a most literal translation, but with better definition of the wording.