​Few in the modern West have ever even heard of the Aramaic language—or hadn’t until 2004 when Mel Gibson startled Hollywood with the news that he was shooting his new film, The Passion of the Christ, mostly in this ancient tongue.

• Gibson’s reason for the unconventional choice was simple: Aramaic was the language Jesus and what his contemporaries actually spoke.

Why Is This Important?

• While the words recorded in the New Testament, though the oldest manuscripts were written in Greek, they would have been spoken mostly in Aramaic. Indeed, while the vast majority of Christian scholarly thought insists that Greek was the original language of the New Testament,
• A small but growing group of contemporary scholars believe that the earliest Greek-language versions of the New Testament may well have been taken from Hebrew or Aramaic originals long since lost.
• Thankfully, there is a 4-5th century ancient Aramaic New Testament called the Peshitta (meaning: "simple") available for study. 
• Like the Qur'an, it has beautiful Semitic style poetic form and many Eastern metaphors. 
• As Muslims feel the only "true" Qur'an is in the Arabic language reveled by Gabriel now we have the words of Jesus reveled from the original revelation in Aramaic. 

Many Muslims are told that the Bible has been corrupted and therefore they should not read it...but is that what the Qur'an says?

RESPONSE: Much of this concern originates from centuries of many deadly misunderstandings of the meanings of the words of the Bible such as "son of God", divinity, salvation, love and many more. 

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As other ToolKit lessons detail, the Aramaic and Hebrew are cousins of the Arabic and discovering the similarity of such critical words among the thee Abrahamic books. it crititial to

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dispel many of these misunderstandings that prompt such reactions of "corruption".

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​The Qur'an view of Biblical authenticity 

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“There is no changing of the words of God; this is truly the supreme triumph.”  Qur'an 10:64

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The Qur'an ​itself describes the Bible as important in the following ways:

• God’s word is unchangeable Qur'an 6:116 and 18:27

• Concerning the Torah which is Genesis to Deuteronomy (Al-Ma’ Ida 5:44; Al-Ana’m 6:92; Ghafir 40:53; Al-Ahqat 46:12)

• Concerning the Gospel (Al-Ma’Ida 5:46-47)

• Concerning the cancelled or annulled scriptures (Al-Bagarah 2:106; Al-Hajj 22:52)

• The Qur’an supports the earlier holy books (Al-Imran 3:3; Fatir 35:31; Al-Ahqat 46:12, 30)

• Commanded to obey the earlier books (Al-Ma’Ida 5:68)

• The Qur’an is for those who have received no earlier revelations (As-Sajdah 32:3)

• Commanded to believe in all the holy books (An-Nisa 4:136; Ash-Shura 42:15)

Muslims believe that ONLY the original Arabic Qur'an is the Holy "word of God" 

• All other versions are merely an interpretation based on the understanding of the translator. 

Many Christians are now looking to the Hebrew and Aramaic languages for a deeper understanding of scripture.

• Jesus would have communicated much of what is written in the Gospels in His heart language of Aramaic. 

• Jesus would of also been communicating in Hebrew on occasion especially as he spoke to the Jewish leaders or when referring to the Torah.
• The Aramaic and Hebrew scriptures are a remarkable tool to explain any and all contradictions that have caused concern in the English translations.

Example: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."    Deut. 31:6

• Why would God say He will NEVER forsake us...but forsake Jesus on the cross?!