09-17-2009, 02:51 PM
A quick note before I run off to do homework:
The unification of the Aramaic tradition. This is an interesting argument, which I find to be clearly paralleled in the argument used by Muslims to show the superiority of the Quran over the Bible. However, I'm sure you all know that the text was actually standardized under Abu Bakr, and variants were burned.
Likewise, the unification of the Peshitta tradition can be explained. It was used by only two communities, essentially isolated from outside influence. Because old versions are regularly burned or buried, we would eventually expect to naturally find no more variants, even where there were variants originally.
I am not saying that this is proof that the Peshitta is inferior to the Greek. It's not proof that the Peshitta is not original. It is simply another piece of evidence for Peshitta primacy that does not really prove anything. As I've said before. I'm not saying I don't think the Peshitta is the original. I'm simply saying that the evidence is decidedly inconclusive.
The unification of the Aramaic tradition. This is an interesting argument, which I find to be clearly paralleled in the argument used by Muslims to show the superiority of the Quran over the Bible. However, I'm sure you all know that the text was actually standardized under Abu Bakr, and variants were burned.
Likewise, the unification of the Peshitta tradition can be explained. It was used by only two communities, essentially isolated from outside influence. Because old versions are regularly burned or buried, we would eventually expect to naturally find no more variants, even where there were variants originally.
I am not saying that this is proof that the Peshitta is inferior to the Greek. It's not proof that the Peshitta is not original. It is simply another piece of evidence for Peshitta primacy that does not really prove anything. As I've said before. I'm not saying I don't think the Peshitta is the original. I'm simply saying that the evidence is decidedly inconclusive.